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.
Public Transportation
Gabriola Volunteer Fire Department
Categories
Community Organizations
About
The Gabriola Volunteer Fire Department operates under the direction of the Fire Chief and trustees.
Currently we have 38 firefighter positions. The Office of the Fire Commissioner suggests it be raised to 40 firefighters: 20 for Hall Number 1 and 20 for Hall Number 2.
We have 2 fire halls, and 12 vehicles.
Our department earned the Superior Tanker Shuttle Accreditation from the Fire Underwriter Survey.
This means that Gabriola property owners are eligible for significant savings on their insurance, because testing proved that the GVFD can deliver large amounts of water to a fire scene. If you’re a property owner on Gabriola, make sure your insurance agent knows that we have this hydrant equivalency status!