Come Play on Gabriola
Take a winding trail through dense forest, find yourself in a sea of wildflowers, breathe in the ocean air, discover the beauty of a sunset paddle, dance under the stars. The island is a natural playground for the whole family.
Beaches & Parks
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 our vast network of trails from Gabriola Land and Trails Trust.
Outdoor Recreation
Enjoy the great outdoors 365 days a year! If you’re lucky, you may find yourself paddling with dolphins and orcas!
Walking, Hiking, Cycling, Paddling, Golfing. With 98 kilometres of coastline and over 170 kilometres of trails, exploring and playing outside is a natural choice.
Indoor Recreation
Gabriola is home to a thriving conscious living community!
For those days you want to stay inside, enticing activities await in the studios, homes, businesses and facilities of the island.
Find activities to strengthen your body, mind and spirit connection here.
Vancouver Island Regional Library
Categories
Community Organizations Indoor Recreation Arts & Culture
About
Pre-1999, there were two library options for residents of Gabriola Island: a bookmobile at the south end of the island, and a very popular books-by-mail service. That all changed in 1999 when a dedicated library opened in the bustling Gabriola Folklife Village. Over the years, the library has expanded in size and scope and has firmly established itself as a vital cornerstone of island life. As a regional system, Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) covers a vast geographic area, from Sooke and Sidney in the south to Port Hardy, Haida Gwaii and the Central Coast. Our system, the fifth largest in British Columbia, totals more than 42,0000 square kilometres and includes a mix of urban, rural, and remote communities that work together to ensure exemplary library services for all our members. Gabriola Island Branch Information: #5 575 North Road Gabriola BC V0R 1X4 Jeff Strain, Librarian gabriolaisland@virl.bc.ca 250-247-7878 Nanaimo Harbourfront Branch Information: The next closest branch is Nanaimo Harbourfront which provides some of VIRL’s central services. 90 Commercial Street Nanaimo BC V9R 5G4 Jason Kuffler, Sales and Marketing Officer jkuffler@virl.bc.ca 250-753-1154 ext. 246