Getting Here & Getting Around

5 km from downtown Nanaimo, most people access Gabriola via BC Ferries.
Once you’re here, there are 158 kilometres of roads to walk, cycle and drive.

Getting Here

Ferry

BC Ferries runs the ferry between Nanaimo and Gabriola. Foot passengers, bikes and vehicles are all welcome. Find the best times to travel.

Float Plane

Float planes run daily from the south terminal of Vancouver International Airport.

Private Boat

Arriving by boat? We have two marinas and a public wharf to welcome you.

Getting Around

Share the road

There are no sidewalks or bicycle lanes on the island. Ride or walk single file. Be aware of narrow road sections, poor road conditions, uneven edges and wildlife. There’s lots of deer on this island!

E-bikes are welcome and a common sight on the island!

Electric Cars

An electric car charging station is located in the Madrona Marketplace parking lot on North Road.

Boating

Cruise or sail to the southeast end of Gabriola where there are two marinas with docks, fuel and moorage in Silva Bay, and a public wharf with moorage in Degnen Bay.

Radio either marina on VHF 66A and they will assist you into a slip.

Use charts 3475 or 3443. Latitude 49.149965 and Longitude -123.695662.

Marine Forecast
Tide Chart
Fishing Licence
Fishing Regulations

Public Transportation

Community Bus

Ride GERTIE, the local community bus service that operates on a limited schedule Monday to Saturday.

Taxi

Note that only one taxi serves the island; it is best to pre-arrange pickups and drop-offs rather than call when needed. Call 250-247-0049 for schedule and availability.

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Gabriola Guitarworks

Professional Services

About

GuitarWorks is a privately owned and operated community service, focusing primarily on stringed instrument maintenance, repair, relic and restoration, and custom commissions are also encouraged.

Let us breathe the breath of life back into a treasured family heirloom, let's talk about that Frankenaxe you always dreamed about, or simply stop by for a setup and some strings.

Pricing is highly competitive, no need for the ferry, and you'll be hard-pressed to find anyone more passionate about the art of maintaining and beautifying the integrity of your treasured instrument.

Call 250-668-8243, email at bensguitarworks@gmail.com or hit us up via messenger and let us get your gear ready for your next show, practice, studio gig or tour.

Things are happening quickly over here, and you can expect business cards, stickers, signs and T-shirts before long. Call GuitarWorks Gabriola, where your imagination is the only limit, and resurrect your rhythm today!

*We also fix patch cables and design pedalboard systems, we have lots of strings on hand, we sport a veritable wall of tea, and we have all kinds of other exciting goodies for you to pick through. Much love! See you soon!