Gabriola Island Things To Do

1. Beach: Lying in the sun, enjoying an relaxing beach walk, picnics with the family, romantic nights with that special someone that is what the beaches bring to Gabriola. The more popular beaches are out at Berry Point Lock Out, Brickyard Beach, Decanso Bay, Degnen Bay, Drumberg Park, Sandwell Park and Gabriola Sands Park.

2. Ocean Kayaking: With calm waters, ocean channels and hidden coves. The bays around Gabriola Island are perfect for kayaking. Kayaking on Gabriola is excellent for wildlife watching, beach landing on surrounding islands, private beaches and viewing the ancient petroglyphs. So grab your kayak or book a kayak tour today and start your adventure.

3. Sight Seeing: Gabriola is a sightseeing master piece. View the 50 petroglyphs carved by nature's powerful forces and ancient man, wildlife, beautiful sailing boats following through the bays and the vast ocean views.

4. Scuba Diving: Scuba diving is amazing around Gabriola. The bays around the island are used by divers from all around. It's reefs and crevice walls are usually calm, sometimes tricky, tidal currents providing perfect underwater exploration conditions. Dive sites near Gabriola Passage offer plenty of marine wildlife to introduce yourself to like sea cucumbers, rock scallops, urchins, tiger rockfish, huge ling cod, yelloweye rockfish and octopuses.

5. Shopping: The are no big malls or shops on the island. The shopping done on Gabriola is mainly artistic and spiritual. Gabriola Island is home to many art galleries and unique gift shops. The village has a some great convenience stores also.

6. Hiking: Gabriola Island is a haven for hikers because is offers variety of walking trails with some hiking trails shorter than others. Hiking the trails of Gabriola lets you explore many beaches, takes you unto the island forests and local mountains. There are some trails that take you from one end of the island to the other enjoying natures display of greenery and oceanic views. If your interested in Petroglyphs, visit the site behind the United Church on South Road.

7. Fishing: Gabriola is a popular ocean fishing destination. The reefs and underwater caverns at Entrance Island and Thrasher is a good area for bottom fish. The Island waters provide perfect year round fishing for Chinook and Coho Salmon.

8. Biking: Gabriola is great for biking because it mixes captivating scenery, with ocean side rest stops, and simple routes. There are hills, so sweat will be involved in the few hours it takes to tour the island. For those who enjoy off road biking, a number of logging trails will challenge you in the central highlands

9. Bird Watching: Gabriola is good for bird watching. With Bald Eagles above your head, tiny golden-crowned Kinglets investigating the wet lands, hedgerow, woodlands, farmland, scrubs, seashore, and the small lake and ponds that offer many different habitats to explore.

10. Sailing: The sheltered bays of Degnen Bay and Silva Bay and  have docks, piers and moorage facilities for all boating needs. The boaters visit to explore the sandstone cliffs, the coastal passages, in and out of the coves to witness the true beauty of the island The waters of Georgia Strait to the east provide exhilarating sailing, while more protected waters lie to the south.