Gabriola Island

natural beauty | vibrant community

Choose Your Gabriola Adventure

Recreation

Island Life

Dense forests of evergreen trees, towering sandstone bluffs, abundant wildlife, and an iconic West Coast shoreline are home to a robust community of artists, makers, creators and innovators.

Discover what the Isle of the Arts has to offer year-round. Hello Gabriola!

Guides for Your Gabriola Getaway

Art in October

Autumn is an exciting time for art enthusiasts on Gabriola! As cozy season approaches, many artists are inviting you to take part in workshops, events, and studio visits all season long.

This October marks the 27th Thanksgiving Studio Tour presented by the Gabriola Arts Council where more than 60 artists open their doors to the public. For some, this is your once-a-year chance to go behind the scenes. For others, this weekend is unique for its reputation as one of the largest collective celebrations of the arts in the Pacific Northwest.

What’s Growing on Gabe: Late Summer and Early Fall on the Farm

August has brought abundant harvest on Gabriola that continues into the fall! Between backyard growers, hobby farmers, and small-scale agriculture, you can find fresh, diverse, and sustainable goods on Gabriola.

Here’s a list of some of our favourites that highlights a range of locally-grown and hand-made goods, including flowers, cheese, goat milk soaps, baked goods, veggies, fruit, cider, specialty prepared foods, and even compost!

Top 10 Picks for Planning Your Stay on Gabriola

Gabriola is just 20-minutes by ferry from Nanaimo or a float plane from Vancouver! Travel to the island is a breeze and we’re here to help you land.

We’ve assembled some of our top picks to help you narrow down where to stay while visiting us.

Island Itineraries: Mind-Body-Spirit Getaway on Gabriola

Gabriola offers endless opportunities for relaxation, recreation, arts and culture, shopping, local food, lodging, transportation options and more!

These are a few of our favourite Gabriola experiences starting in the Village and circling around the island to nourish your mind, body, heart, and soul.

I live in Paradise!

Yesterday morning I woke to the sound of very loud blows coming from Olebar point. I threw a coat and jeans, grabbed my binos and camera and ran to the water. Before me in the glowing morning light a humpback whale was peacefully swimming, surfacing and diving.

The growing crowd of onlookers also witnessed California sea lions barking and feasting on salmon, as nonchalant harbour porpoise swam by. Later on, a kayaker was surrounded by pacific white sided dolphins frolicking, flipping, travelling at high speeds and I thought if we saw Orcas it would be the marine mammal viewing day of all times.

I decided to go out in my kayak. Hang on to your paddle!!!!
~Elsa Bluethner