Gabriola Island Camping Trip

Gabriola is a quiet small island part of the Southern Gulf Islands, British Columbia, Canada.

How to get there: There are 2 options:

• Ferries: It took us 3 hours taking two ferries and one bus; fare: $27 per person per direction (here)

• Seaplanes: It usual takes only 20' at $89 per person per direction (here)

Photo taken from the ferry leaving Horseshoe Bay

Photo taken from the ferry leaving Horseshoe Bay

Where to stay: 

Our destination was Descanso Bay Regional Park campground which was a 15' walk from the ferry harbour. Reservations are available via email or phone (here) which we did 2 weeks in advance to secure a spot. Our trip was in the middle of May so the campground was not that busy. It was only about 80% occupied based on what we saw.  

Walking to Descanso Campground

The campground had pit toilets and drinkable water. Similar to other campgrounds, campfire here was only allowed in the fire pit with wood available for purchase at $10 a crate. Our spot was on the grass so it was kind of wet. Luckily, our tents were all waterproof so we were dry. You want to make sure your tent bottom is waterproof if you want to stay here. There weren't any food containers at this campground so we had to hang our food on a tree in order not to attract wild animals.

Pitching our tents

We camped at the park for 1 night and did not have a vehicle so everything we did was within a walking distance. The island actually has a bus running in the afternoon between 4 PM to 6PM from the ferry terminal to Silva Bay (the other side of the island).

Alternatively, renting an electric bike or a car could work if someone wants to explore the island.

At Gabriola Sands Provincial Park

After a 30' walk from the campground, we arrived at Gabriola Sands Provincial Park

Taking in the view at Gabriola Sands Provincial Park

1,2,3,4 I declare a crab war!

Ocean view at Gabriola Sands

After spending around 2 hours there, we headed back to the campground, had dinner and enjoyed the peaceful, quiet sunset.

Sunset at the north beach of Descanso

The following morning, we took some locals' suggestion to visit Malaspina Galleries which was a sandpoint, facing Nanaimo. From the campground, it took us 30' via a well-marked trail starting from the south beach of Descanso.

A rockpoint at Malaspina

It was at 8:30 AM in the morning by the time we got there but we were the only ones at the sandpoint. The rocks have been shaped like giant cheese slices by the the ocean waves over hundreds of years. We appreciated the beauty of nature and the moment of silence so that we stayed there for an hour and a half to take in the view.

We then packed up and headed to the Gabriola village, had lunch and back to the ferry. 

Camping at Gabriola was a gentle start for a busier summer ahead. It was clear and the temperature was just about 20 degree Celsius. Sadly, we did not have enough time to explore the whole island. 

We'll be back!