Gabriola Island is one of the Gulf Islands in the Strait of Georgia in British Columbia (BC), Canada. It is about 5 kilometres east of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, to which it is linked by a 20-minute ferry service. It has a land area of about 57.6 square kilometres and a resident population of 4,500
Beaches
Gabriola Island has more public beach access points than any other Gulf Island. No two beaches are the same!
Look for the “Public Access” yellow concrete blocks for beach access points around the island to find the beach closest to you.
Parks and Trails
Gabriola is home to three spectacular provincial parks and dozens of regional and community parks. Find out more about the vast network of trails from Gabriola Land and Trails Trust.
Flying to Gabriola Island
The nearest airport to Gabriola is Nanaimo Airport (YCD), 18km south of Nanaimo and the ferry terminal for Gabriola.
| Nanaimo Airport is approximately 18km south of downtown Nanaimo and is a regional airport served by just 10-12 flights a day. There is a small cafeteria in the terminal and vending machines in the departure lounge. A limited public transit service operates to both Nanaimo and Duncan. The Nanaimo Airporter offers convenient shuttle services to Nanaimo hotels and ferry terminals, and several taxi companies also serve the airport. There is no Uber service available. Visit https://ycd.ca/ for more information |
Airlines flying into Nanaimo
Vancouver – Nanaimo
Vancouver and Calgary– Nanaimo
Kelowna – Nanaimo
Transfers between Nanaimo Airport and the Gabriola Ferry can be booked directly at https://nanaimoairporter.com/
Most other airlines fly into Vancouver Airport (YVR)
Seaplanes from Vancouver Airport to Gabriola Island
The fastest way is to take a seaplane from the Richmond Seaplane dock near the YVR South Terminal. Transfers to the Seaplane dock can be made by taxi or using the South Terminal Shuttle
| Arriving on the island by seaplane (or floatplane, as the locals call them) is an experience you’ll never forget, especially if you’ve just stepped off a wide-bodied jet at YVR. Seaplanes fly by visual flight rules, meaning you’re never more than a few hundred feet above the ocean – with great views as you soar over the ferries and tiny islands. Approaching Gabriola, you’re likely to make a circuit over the Flat Top islands as the pilot checks out the boat movements before touching down on the smooth waters of Silva Bay and taxiing to the terminal at Silva Bay marina. |
Gulf Island Seaplanes fly direct from Richmond (YVR) to Silva Bay on Gabriola Island
Harbour Air fly from Richmond (YVR) and Vancouver Harbour to Nanaimo Harbour, a short walk from the Gabriola Ferry Terminal.
Flying into Nanaimo by helicopter
| A helicopter flight from downtown Vancouver to Nanaimo Harbour is a unique way to travel – and a must if you’ve never experienced it before. Kids love it – and with under-12’s travelling free (one free child per adult fare purchased) it’s a fabulous way to start to start your visit. With up to six flights a day to and from Nanaimo, helicopter flight are not restricted to daytime flying in the same way as seaplanes. |
Helijet offers a scheduled helicopter service to Nanaimo Harbour Heliport from Vancouver Harbour Heliport.
Ferry connections from Vancouver
BC Ferries operates two routes from Vancouver :
Horseshoe Bay – Nanaimo (Departure Bay) and Tsawwassen – Nanaimo (Duke Point)
Travelling without a car? The Hullo fast passenger ferry connects Vancouver Harbour Ferry Terminal with Nanaimo Ferry Terminal (Port Drive), a 15-minute walk to the Gabriola ferry.
Ferries to Gabriola Island
| On the short ferry ride to Gabriola, take the time to head up to the observation decks for a fascinating view across to Protection Island, Saysutshun Island and the numerous rocky outcrops on the approach to Gabriola. Watch out for huge log rafts being towed by tug across to the Fraser River for processing |
BC Ferries operates up to twice an hour between Nanaimo Harbour and Gabriola Island carrying both vehicles and passengers. Fares for the round trip are collected at the Nanaimo Harbour terminal.
Gabriola Island Ferry Schedule
Click on the image below to download a printable pdf version of the schedule.
| Like most of the gulf islands, Gabriola depends on deliveries of gasoline, heating oil and propane gas by road tankers from Vancouver Island. To ensure safety, one ferry crossing each week is designated a ‘Dangerous Cargo’ sailing and is restricted solely to fuel tankers. No other vehicles or passengers may use these sailings. |
For advice on using the Gabriola Ferry, click on the FAQ button below:
Getting around Ganriola with Gertie
GERTIE (Gabriola’s Environmentally Responsible Trans-Island Express) provides a vital transit service linking the ferry terminal and Gabriola village centre with all parts of the island.
| With support from the Federal and Provincial governments, GERTIE has taken delivery of two Canadian-built electric buses, aimed at delivering GERTIE’s original goal of reducing Gabriola’s transportation-related pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. |
Click on the image below for the GERTIE route map and schedule:
Taxis on Gabriola Island
Gabriola Taxi operates 7 days a week serving all parts of Gabriola Island.
More information at https://www.gabriolataxi.ca/home
Connecting between terminals in Nanaimo
Many connecting services are within walking distance of the Gabriola Island Ferry at Nanaimo Harbour:
Walking distances from the Gabriola Ferry to:
- Protection Island Ferry – 250 metres (about 3 minutes)
- Downtown Nanaimo Transit Exchange – 300 metres (about 5 minutes)
- Sunshine Coast Air Check-in – 550 metres (about 8 minutes)
- Harbour Air Check-in – 600 metres (about 9 minutes)
- Helijet Terminal – 1.2 kilometres (about 18 minutes)
- Hullo Passenger Ferry Terminal – 1.2 kilometres (about 18 minutes)
The following connections are 4 km away at Departure Bay (about 55 minutes walk). Transit connections are available from the Downtown Transit Exchange to Departure Bay Ferry Terminal (Routes 20, 20A or 25).
- Seair Seaplanes Terminal
- Kenmore Air (Summer only)
- BC Ferries (Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay)
- Island Express Bus and Tofino Express Bus
Nanaimo Airport (YCD) is about 18km from Nanaimo Harbour by road (approximately 20 minutes by car). Duke Point Ferry Terminal is about 15km from Nanaimo Harbour (approximately 15 minutes by car)
Island Transportation 