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Gabriola Island BC Things to Do, Activities
Gulf Islands, British Columbia, Canada

Gabriola Island on the northern tip of the southern Gulf Islands is a mecca environment for outdoor activities, artist retreats, romantic getaways and sightseeing. The island of Gabriola is a is a community with a heavy marine influence with shorelines filled with charter tours, scuba diving, fishing, kayaking and wildlife watching enthusiasts. On land the wildlife viewing, serenity hiking and beach combing are top notch.
Refer to Parks and Trails List and/or the Eco-Tourism Tour and Guides Business Listings.

1. Sight Seeing: A must see adventure, a Kodak moment when roaming the island of Gabriola viewing the 50 petroglyphs carved by nature's powerful forces, the marine wildlife and boating traffic. Hike down to Jack Point, Lock Bay and out to Degnen Bay and, if the cards are right, you might see a killer whale.... a carving though, not the real deal... wild times sandstone cliff art!
   
   
2. Ocean Kayaking: The calm waters, the ocean channels, hidden coves and bays around Gabriola Island are ideal waters for kayaking. Kayaking Gabriola Island provides an excellent opportunity for wildlife viewing, beach landing on surrounding island private beaches and viewing the local petroglyphs. Grab a kayak and pick one of the many launch points available on Gabriola and start an adventure exploring the coastlines on any of the islands.
   
   
3. Scuba Diving: Yes, scuba is huge out on the waters of the Gulf Islands and Gabriola Island is a key scuba diving destination among them because of it's reefs, crevice walls and usually calm, sometimes tricky, tidal currents providing excellent underwater exploration conditions. The international scuba diving world is well acquainted with Gabriola Island dive sites near Gabriola Passage where there is plenty of marine wildlife to introduce yourself to like sea cucumbers, urchins, rock scallops, huge ling cod, tiger rockfish, yelloweye rockfish and octopuses. Gabriola Passage is the northern most passage between the Gulf Islands. Cruise out from Degnen Bay on Gabriola and go to the south side of this passage.
   
   
4. Beach Worshipping: Lounging around in the sun, enjoying an autumn beach walk, picnics with the family surrounded by laughter and romantic couples cuddling at night is what the beaches bring to Gabriola Island. Some of the more popular beach worshipping areas are out at Berry Point Lock Out, Brickyard Beach, Decanso Bay, Degnen Bay, Drumberg Park, Sandwell Park or Gabriola Sands Park. Plenty of sand and beach to go around.
   
   
5. Hiking and Walking: Hiking on the trails of Gabriola Island explores the many beaches, takes you into the local mountains and island forests. Gabriola Island in the Gulf Islands is basically a haven for hikers because of the variety of walking trails with some hiking trails shorter then others. There are trails that can take you from one end of the island to the other end enjoying natures display of greenery and oceanic views. If you have an interest in Petroglyphs, visit the site behind the United Church on South Road.
   
   
6. Shopping: There is not big city malls and shops on Gabriola, no way. The shopping done on this island is mainly artistic and spiritual. Gabriola Island is the home to many art galleries and some unique gift shops. When you have an island filled with artistic talents and a strong support system it only makes sense that there is some unique island art on Gabriola. The village has convenience stores also.
   
   
7. Ocean Fishing: Fishing the oceans and currents around Gabriola Island with hidden pools of fish in the reefs and underwater caverns at Thrasher and Entrance Islands. An area some locals say is good for Ling and Rock Cod if your into some bottom fish. Gabriola Island provides excellent year round fishing for Chinook and Coho Salmon, the real deal. Downriggers, tackle, and transportation is available. Fishing intuition and determination must be self supplied or, better yet, improve your success ratio and hire a local guide. .
   
   
8. Boating and Sailing: The sheltered havens of Silva Bay and Degnen Bay provide the docks, piers and moorage opportunities for all boating enthusiasts when pulling into the harbours of Gabriola Island. The boating world comes to explore the sandstone cliffs, the coastal passages, in and out of the coves and bays to experience the true beauty of the area. The waters of Georgia Strait to the east can provide exhilarating sailing, while more protected waters lie to the south of the Island.
   
   
9. Bird Watching: Bald Eagles above your head, tiny golden-crowned Kinglets investigating the wet lands, woodlands, scrubs, hedgerow, farmland, seashore, and the small lake and ponds that offer many different habitats to explore. The people of Gabriola every year participate in a bald eagle count, nest survey and Christmas bird count.
   
   
10. Cycling: Ideal for the biking enthusiasts because of the captivating scenery, beach rest stops, and easily navigated routes. Because of some hills, sweat will be involved in the few hours it takes to tour the whole island. For those who enjoy their biking in the woods, a number of logging roads will challenge your balance in the central highlands. Don't miss the annual Outhouse Race for the insane crazy bicycle addicts.