TRAVEL LIKE A LOCAL | Top 10,000 Places to Visit in Canada
The page created by Annabella Stoll-Dansereau | University of British Columbia | Photo by Clayoquot assumed (based on copyright claims), CC BY-SA 3.0
This museum, while small, shares the important history of Gabriola Island. While highlighting colonial takeover and exploitation, this museum allows Indigenous voices to share their recent stories. Among the exhibits are many contemporary art pieces of individuals that call Gabriola Island their home.
This museum is a short walk from the ferry, so a day trip here could be ideal.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/TellingIslandStories/
They may point you to the places you will read about in this article. They may also tell you about local events while you are there. If you have any questions or concerns about your adventures on this island, this will be the best place to go and ask the locals for advice.
Photo: Google Street View
This island is rarely open to the public; however, since it is only approximately 500 meters from the shore of Gabriola Island, you can observe this beautiful landmark from the public shores of the island.
This lighthouse park was built in the 1800s to guild ships into Nanaimo. These lighthouses are still used today to help guild the ferries from Vancouver.
This photo shows an example of the concerts you may be lucky enough to see at this theatre.
If you are planning a trip to this area, be sure to check out the theatre events that are happening to surround your travel dates. This theatre highlights local voices through live performances. As a performing arts theatre, this is a hub for the local art culture.
Photo: Google Street View
This may sound like an art exhibit; however, it is nature’s art. These Galleries are geological formations. These majestic rock formations are like nothing you’ve seen before. Formed over thousands of years from the water, there are a variety of interesting landforms to explore in this area.
This ‘rip curl’ shown above is sandstone and the key attraction that draws many tourists to the island.
Photo: https://www.travelingislanders.com/malaspina-galleries/
Although this may be beyond the typical tourist activity, getting a guild and exploring these waters may be worth the cost. This is also a beautiful area to view the ocean and watch other divers if the actual diving isn’t your forte.
While it may seem like there wouldn’t be anything that exciting just off the coast of Nanaimo, drivers often see Six Gill Sharks! Make sure to take an underwater camera to capture your explorations should you venture into the ocean.
Photo: SS Kyogle Wikimedia Commons
When coming to Gabriola Island, the biggest attraction is nature. As one of the three provincial parks, Drumbeg offers some of the best hikes suitable for all users. For example, one trail down to Silva Bay is exceptionally well groomed, allowing even the most ‘unsteady walkers’ will find themselves loving the walk and views.
This provincial park is huge, so some of the walks might be oceanside with others exploring the canopy of trees; however, they will all prove equally beautiful.
Photo: Laurie MacBride, CC-BY-SA-4.0
The art scene is bustling in Gabriola, as you may have been able to tell by some of the other attractions on this Island. However, this studio is another hub showcasing local artists from the island and elsewhere in BC. You can find many different mediums, from ceramics to paintings, and the featured artists rotate (to learn more, visit their website).
If you are an artist, you may also use the studio space to create your own pieces, perhaps inspired by the fantastic scenery outdoors.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/freespiritstudiogabriolaisland/
This walk, while short, puts you in the land of the giants amongst massive, preserved cedar trees. A reviewer stated that they saw the giant cedar they have ever seen in BC here!
While the location doesn’t have an address, the entrance to the walk is marked. It will only take 25 minutes to complete the entire loop, so this is a perfect addition to end or start your day on Gabriola Island.
Photo: David Stanley, CC BY 2.0
This golf course offers a nine and `18 hole golf course plus a driving range. If you are a beginner at golf and want to try it out, this may be the place where golf lessons are available. For those not interested in golf, there is an ‘island famous patio’ where they host events such as Sunday brunch and open mics. While this is a great golf course, you may still find something fun here if golf isn’t your thing.
Photo: https://www.gabriolagolf.com/
