The last time I visited Gabriola Island by car and ferry was around 1948. Since then I’ve made many visits back in my boating days but not by car.  So it seemed that is was time for a day trip to Gabriola.  

It’s a 20 minute ferry ride from downtown Nanaimo to the island. $28 return for car and 4 seniors. No reservations needed. Just line up. The ferries run every half hour so the waits are not long. The ferry docks at Descanso Bay and paved roads will take you all over the island. Gabriola is only 14.5 kilometres long and about 4 k wide but it is home to about 4000 people. 

We wanted to see the Malaspina Galleries where the  Sandstone has been eroded over time and cave like structures remain. A nice walk to a beautiful point where sandstone rules. Worth visiting for sure.

Then it was off the the SURF LODGE which has a dining room and a pub overlooking the Strait of Georgia. Pub lunch was served on the spacious deck with Tugs, Ferries, yachts and sport fishing boats passing by. Excellent Cod and chips and very good service from a delightful young lady.  The lodge has some rooms and some cottages and would be a great place for a weekend retreat. This photo is the lovely stone fireplace in the dining room.

For more info http://www.surflodgegabriola.com

Then it was off to Silva Bay, a spot that’s been a welcome calm harbour many times. Lots a boats in the bay and some large yachts on the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club outstation on Tugboat island.

Alas the Silva Bay pub is no longer. Burned to the ground in 2017. Enjoyed Thanksgiving there many years ago. Sad to see it gone. The Silva Bay Shipyard that operated for decades also appears to be closed. Pages Resort is also in Silva Bay and looks to have some nice accommodations.   

https://www.pagesresort.com/home

A little further along is DRUMBEG Provincial Park, right on the water at the entrance to Gabriola Pass a narrow channel separating Gabriola from Valdez Island. The park has a nice beach and two people were swimming while several others were boarding kayaks. Drumbeg is a nice spot. Maybe for a picnic.

Then we followed the road around Degnan Bay at the inside of Gabriola Pass. The road took us past farmland, the waters of False Narrows on the way to the Ferry terminal. About an hours wait and we boarded for the quick cruise back to Nanaimo. 

A really sweet one day island visit. 

Just saying…