Premier Listings for Gabriola Sands Park
Perhaps the most interesting and perfectly sculptured limestone formation on the Gulf Islands is located just south of the beach and picnic grounds at Gabriola Sands Provincial Park on Gabriola Island.
This grassy, open, breezy location on Taylor and Pilot Bays is rather unique on the islands, due to its manicured ambience. It’s an easy 2-km jaunt from the ferry dock at Descanso Bay to Gabriola Sands Park.
Walk along the beach at Taylor Bay to the must-see limestone formations, called the Malaspina Galleries. The hooded galleries, carved out of sandstone by natural elements, are 4 metres high and stretch for about 100 metres from just around the southwest tip of Taylor Bay along the rocky shoreline of the small park.
Exploration of the seaside formations is prohibited due to the deteriorating stability of the overhanging formations, and concerns for public safety. Engineers have cautioned that the distinctive landmark could soon start crumbling, as fissures have appeared on the overhang. At low tide, visitors can still stand on the foreshore at one end and look into the cavern, but the best way to view the Malaspina Galleries is by kayak.
The 6-hectare Gabriola Sands Provincial Park is an ideal location to stop for a picnic or take a stroll along the beautiful sand beaches. The park features two lovely sandy beaches and large manicured grassy lawns. This small day-use only park is a very popular local destination for swimming, picnicking, canoeing and kayaking. Designated salt water swimming areas can be found at Taylor Bay and Pilot Bay. Camping is not permitted in the park.
Facilities include 2 pit toilets (one on Taylor Bay beach and the other on Pilot Bay beach), picnic tables, a child’s play area, and drinking water from a hand-operated pump in the middle of the day-use area – water must be boiled.
Gabriola Sands Provincial Park is located on an isthmus dividing Taylor Bay and Pilot Bay, on the northwest side of Gabriola Island in the Southern Gulf Islands of British Columbia. Access to Gabriola Island is by a 20-minute BC Ferry trip from Nanaimo on southern Vancouver Island to Descanso Bay.
The park is situated off Taylor Bay Road, a short distance north of the ferry terminal. From the ferry terminal on Gabriola, turn left on Taylor Bay Road and follow until you see signs for Gabriola Sands Provincial Park, located on DeCourcy Drive. The park is also accessible by boat.
Nearby Regions & Towns
Park Notices
Premier Listings
Biographical Info
Page’s Resort and Marina on beautiful Gabriola Island welcomes you with secluded fully-equipped seaside COTTAGES, a pristine CAMPGROUND nestled in the woods, a full service MARINA providing quiet nightly moorage with fuel dock, showers and laundromat, kayak RENTALS, and mountain bike RENTALS, BOOKSTORE featuring local authors as well as charts and the best of marine publications, Li’l market providing a wide selection of food and products locally made or grown on Gabriola Island as well as a wide range of groceries, pharmaceuticals and sundry items. There is fresh coffee and scones to enjoy here or on the go.
Located on five acres overlooking Silva Bay on beautiful Gabriola Island, minutes from golf and restaurants, Page’s offers spectacular kayaking and sailing, incredible diving and fishing, scenic hiking and cycling, and simply relaxing with a book in our picnic grounds and gardens. Arrive by land, sea or air: now with an air service from Vancouver’s South Terminal to Silva Bay via Gulf Island Seaplanes.
Biographical Info
Pages Inn on Silva Bay offers guests oceanfront accommodations in beautiful, peaceful surroundings at the head of Silva Bay, on the rural South End of Gabriola Island. The Inn’s seven oceanfront suites have stunning views across Silva Bay and the Flat Top Islands to the Coastal Mountains. The Inn’s spacious suites include full kitchens or kitchenettes, wireless high-speed Internet and cable television.
The Meeting Room at Page’s Inn on Silva Bay can accommodate up to 24 people boardroom style and up to 50 people reception or classroom style. Spectacular, peaceful and remote, the Meeting Room is the perfect setting to energize your corporate team or elevate your family event.
Farms, artists, wooden boat builders, kayaking, fishing and sailing are within walking distance of the Inn. Silva Bay and Gabriola Island host numerous festivals and events throughout the year. There is something for everyone, whether your interest is maritime, music, or art.
Arrive by land, sea or air: now with an air service from Vancouver’s South Terminal to Silva Bay via Gulf Island Seaplanes.
Biographical Info
Silver Blue Charters offers excellent year-round salmon fishing charters available on beautiful Gabriola Island aboard a 25.5 foot SeaRay Amberjack that carries 6 people. Captain Bob Meyer has spent 25 years as a charter fishing guide, and has extensive fishing experience in Gulf Island waters, having performed over 3,000 charters and consistently has the highest salmon catch rate in the area. Fishing packages and wildlife tours available on request.
