Gabriola Island is one of the most easily accessible destinations in the Gulf Island chain, an archipelago of hundreds of islands reaching from the San Juan Islands in the US to the Northern Gulf Islands.
In spite of its accessibility, Gabriola retains a sleepy charm and creative hive that shapes its character. A driving route loops around the entire island.
Ferry Travel
Reach Gabriola by a 5km/3mi, 20-minute ferryboat ride from downtown Nanaimo to the BC Ferries' Descanso Bay terminal on the northwest side of the island. Carrying passengers and vehicles, it makes the journey 16 times daily between 5:45am and 10:55pm.
Nanaimo is the major arrival and departure point for nearly two million cars and five million passengers annually via BC Ferries. It's home to two of the island's three major ferry terminals – Departure Bay at the northwest edge of downtown and Duke Point at the south end.
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Car Travel
Gabriola's 30km/19mi North Road-South Road loop is the main island highway. It touches most corners of the island, including the ferry terminal at Descanso Bay. Side roads are well maintained and provide access to marinas, beaches, the Malaspina Galleries and other points of interest. However, while driving the island, keep your speed below the posted limit. Multitudes of deer pay no heed to cars and wander the roads at proprietary gait. That's why islanders turn vegetarian when offered venison stew.
Air Travel
Tofino Air offers scheduled flights year-round by floatplane, a 20-minute flight from Vancouver Airport's south terminal to Silva Bay. Other floatplane services land in the Nanaimo harbour, mere steps from the Gabriola Island ferry terminal. Air Canada offers connector flights from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Nanaimo's Cassidy Airport, about 15km/9mi south of Nanaimo. From Cassidy, taxi and the Nanaimo Shuttle transport travellers to the Gabriola Ferry terminal in downtown Nanaimo.
Public Transportation
The Gabriola Island Taxi service is as close as it comes to public transportation on Gabriola.
Maps and Information
Maps, brochures and information about island artists and festivals are available at the Gabriola Visitor Centre at #5-377 Berry Point Road, opposite the Twin Beaches Gabriola Sands Provincial Park. Proceed cautiously because the turn-off after the ferry terminal is maddeningly easy to miss.
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Transportation Service Providers
Transportation & Maps
Gabriola Island