Gabriola: Village Centre, Beaches and Island Parks

During a stay on Gabriola, amenities in the village centre are complemented by destinations across Gabriola Island. Huxley Community Park is located in the village centre; other parks offer beaches, trails and views of the island’s landscape. When planning your trip, this distinction can help you prioritize places according to your own interests.

Sports and trails in the village centre

Huxley Community Park is in the village centre of Gabriola. It has two tennis courts and a sports field, which can be booked through the Gabriola Recreation Society. If you would like to use a court or field, check current booking options and information with the operator. This lets you include a booking in your daily plans without assuming a particular availability.

The park also has a playground with equipment for children aged 2 to 5 and 5 to 12. It was completed in November 2017. If the equipment is important for your visit, check its condition in advance. Trails from Huxley Community Park also connect to the Folklife shopping center and The Commons. These connections give you additional destinations to consider when planning.

The Village Way Path is a planned trail on the north side of North Road. It is intended to run from the intersection of North Road and South Road to the entrance of 707 Community Park at Tin Can Alley. The aim of the plan is to create a safe, accessible trail. As a planned project, it should be distinguished from the existing trail connections at Huxley Community Park.

Beaches and water on Gabriola Island

Gabriola Sands Park on Gabriola Island combines two sandy beaches with large, well-maintained grassy areas. Designated swimming areas are at Taylor Bay and Pilot Bay. The sandy beaches and shallow water are suitable for swimming in salt water. The park also offers opportunities for canoeing and kayaking. Check current safety information before swimming, and check the relevant park information before launching a boat.

Another way to access a beach is through Sandwell Park: an 800-metre walkway runs from the parking lot to the day-use and picnic area at Lock Bay beach. The final section is steep and slippery. At low tide, you can view a prehistoric petroglyph in the sandstone east of the day-use area. Timing is important here, as visibility depends on the water level.

Walking trails, wetlands and wildlife viewing

Drumbeg Park at the southern end of Gabriola Island has about two kilometres of easy, well-maintained walking and hiking trails. This is a different trail distance from the single 800-metre walkway at Sandwell Park: Drumbeg has a network of trails, while Sandwell’s walkway connects the parking lot to the picnic area. You may be able to spot whales, seals, sea lions, bald eagles and various waterfowl at Drumbeg Park. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Coats Marsh Regional Park is the island’s first protected wetland. Its network of unpaved trails lets you observe the marsh habitat and birdlife. This gives the park a different focus from the beaches: the emphasis here is on wetlands and birds, not swimming or coastal trails.

Getting here and planning your stay

Descanso Bay ferry terminal is on the northwest side of Gabriola Island. Ferries connect from there to Nanaimo Harbour on Vancouver Island. Check the current ferry status before travelling if your arrival depends on it.

The places described have different locations: Huxley Community Park is in the village centre, while the other parks mentioned are on Gabriola Island.

Discover more destinations: Qualicum Beach, Bowser, Cassidy, Nanoose Bay, Parksville, Nanaimo

Go to the main travel overview: Nanaimo.