Where to stay
and
what to do in
Gabriola Island
Name
The eastern point of the Island was named Punta de Gaviola, meaning
"seagull point" by Spanish explorer Jose Maria Narvaez. It was later known
as Punta de Gaviola, and eventually the whole Island became
Gabriola.
THE ISLANDS
The Gulf Islands
Gabriola Island
Galiano Island
Hornby Island
Pender
Island
Salt Spring Island
Vancouver Island
British Columbia Travel Regions
B.C. Rockies
Cariboo
Country
The Islands
Northern
B.C.
Thompson
Okanagan
Vancouver Area Coast & Mountains
Gabriola Island, BC
Gabriola Island (pop. 4,500) is located off the southwest coast of Vancouver Island, an easy ferry ride from Nanaimo. A member of the Southern Gulf Islands, it is a popular stopover for many vacationers who want to experience the distinctive cultures and attractions of B.C.'s south coast islands. Like many other Gulf Islands, Gabriola is home to a diverse selection of artists, musicians and writers, some of whom are internationally renowned.
Originally named by Spanish explorers in 1791 as "Punto de Gaviota" or "Cape Seagull," the island became eventually known as Gabriola, a possible distortion of its original Spanish name. Early Spanish influence can be found as well in several other locations around the island, such as Descanso Bay and Malaspina Galleries. Numerous First Nations petroglyphs, some of which are believed may have been carved by members of the Cowichan Nation hundreds of years ago, are spread across the island and can be viewed in situ and at the Gabriola Museum.
Famous both for its laid-back atmosphere and for its stunning marine vistas, Gabriola is a favourite haunt for sea kayakers and divers. The Gulf Islands temperate weather seems tailored to outdoor recreation, offering plenty of opportunities for boating, beachcombing and fishing. There are also plenty of recreational possibilities on land, with two provincial parks and several attractive beaches to walk, hike or cycle.
Late spring, summer and fall are the best times to experience Gabriola, which hosts a variety of art, music and literary events throughout the year. Advance reservations are advised when planning to stay during the popular summer and fall months.
Find all the visitor information you need to plan your trip to Gabriola Island. Just use the navigation links in the left hand column or the drop down menu at the top of the page to find where to stay, where to eat, what to see, and what to do.
|
Weather
|
Click on the town and road map above to locate cities, towns, attractions and points of interest |
Go Northwest!
Bookstore
Best selection of books on the Northwest.
Click
here!
Frommer's
Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and San Juan Islands by Chris
McBeath. This book has all the information you need to plan a great trip
to this four-season destination on Canada's idyllic west coast. This guide
has the Frommer's trusted insider perspective, complete with detailed
reviews and suggested itineraries.
Order now...
Moon
British Columbia: Including the Alaska Highway, 11th Edition (Moon
Handbooks) by Andrew Hempstead. Find the best places to eat and stay, where to go
skiing and snowboarding along with other recreational activities, how to get around, along with much more through
the unique trip ideas recommended by the author.
Order now...
Discover
Canada (Full Color Country Travel Guide) by Lonely Planet. This book
is the ideal guide for planning your trip with all the must see sights
and must do experiences through images, insider tips, tailored
itineraries and east to navigate content. Full colored maps for the
country, regions and cities are also included.
Order now...
Frommer's
Far & Wide: A Weekly Guide to Canada's Best Travel Experiences
by Andrew Hempstead, Pamela Cuthbert, Lucas Aykroyd and Helena Katz.
Written by a team of local authors this book has maps of trips along
with information about the culture and history, nature, festivals and
events, restaurants, adventure and even the quirky Canada.
Order now...
We appreciate your orders. They help keep
Go Northwest! online.
Northwest Books
from . . .
Shopping at
Go Northwest!
