| Travel Options to Gabriola Island |
Travelling to and from Gabriola Island is easy! Click on any of these options for more information.
Via ferry from Vancouver with a vehicle
There are two ferry terminals located just outside of Vancouver. Ferries run from these two locations to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.
- Tsawwassen terminal is situated approx 30 km south of Vancouver taking Hwy 99 then Hwy 17. Sailing time from Tsawwassen is 2 hours.
- Horseshoe Bay terminal is situated north of West Vancouver following Hwy 1. The sailing times from this location are more frequent and the sailing time is shorter, approximately 1 hour 35 minutes.
* Please note that there is often a lot of traffic on these ferry routes especially during summer months and long weekends. This can result in a 1 or 2 sailing wait and late departures. The number to call for information in Vancouver is (604) 669-1211 or for 24 hour schedule information (604) 685-1021 or 1-888-223-3779. Or try their website
- If you take the ferry from the Tsawwassen terminal you will arrive at Duke Point approximately 10 km south of Nanaimo. Follow the signs to Nanaimo City Centre and to the Gabriola ferry terminal situated in Nanaimo opposite the Port Place Mall.
- If you take the ferry from the Horseshoe Bay terminal you will arrival at Departure Bay terminal in Nanaimo. Follow the signs to Nanaimo City Centre and to the Gabriola ferry terminal situated in Nanaimo opposite the Port Place Mall.
The Gabriola ferry runs approximately once an hour, 7 days a week. Sailing time to Gabriola is approximately 20 minutes.
Upon arrival on Gabriola Island, take the first left-hand turn on Taylor Bay Rd, then drive approximately 2 km (1 mile) and turn left on Davis Rd. We are located at the end of Davis Rd. There are signs posted before both turns.
Via Ferry from Vancouver without vehicle
Bus
There is a bus service (Maverick Coach Lines) from downtown Vancouver to Nanaimo via B.C. Ferries at Horseshoe Bay. The bus terminal in Vancouver is located at 1150 Station Street (the old train station at Main St and Terminal Ave). The bus departs the main bus terminal 1 hour before the sailing time. For information call Greyhound (604) 484 8747 or 1-800 661 8747 or visit their website.
From the bus terminal in Nanaimo you will need to catch a taxi to the Gabriola ferry terminal. For the fit folk, this is about a 20 minute walk. With heavy luggage a taxi is advisable.
Ferry Foot-Passengers
If you have alternate transportation to either Horseshoe Bay or Tsawwassen you can walk on any of the ferries scheduled to Nanaimo. On arrival at the Departure Bay or Duke Point terminals in Nanaimo you can catch a taxi to the Gabriola ferry. The Airline Limousine (250-758-2133) can pick you up and drop you off if you book in advance (There is a charge for this).
Foot-Passengers, Gabriola Ferry
If you are coming to attend a Haven Institute course and you telephone our Receptionist (247-9211) from the down-town Nanaimo terminal to advise us what time you will be departing Nanaimo we will have our van come to meet you at the Gabriola terminal to bring you to The Haven. Note that we can only meet the 1:55, 3:45, 4:50 and 5:55 ferries.
Air connection via Vancouver
Air Canada offers connector flights from Vancouver International Airport to Cassidy Airport, about 20 km south of Nanaimo. When making reservations tell your Travel Agent to book you through to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island (Cassidy Airport). This makes it possible for your luggage to be checked through as you will have to change to a smaller plane to make the trip to Nanaimo. If you are entering from outside of Canada you will have to clear customs in Vancouver, but will then be able to put your luggage on a conveyer belt to be handled by the airlines until your arrival in Nanaimo. From Cassidy Airport a taxi, or the Nanaimo Airporter EXPRESS (1-800-209-7792) can take you to the Gabriola Ferry terminal in downtown Nanaimo.
Float plane from Vancouver
Float Plane Service from downtown Vancouver to downtown Nanaimo lands a 5 minute walk from the Gabriola ferry terminal. Harbour Air (1-800-665-0212) and Baxter Air (604-683-6525) offer scheduled flights.
Float plane Service from the Airport in Vancouver direct to Silva Bay, Gabriola Island: Tofino Air has 3 flights a day from Vancouver airport (floatplane dock) to Silva Bay. For more information contact them at 1-800-665-2359 or www.tofinoair.ca. From Silva Bay which is located at the south end of Gabriola you will need to take the Gabriola taxi (247-0049) to The Haven at the north end. Tofino Air in Vancouver can order the taxi for you (ask the pilot before he takes off from Vancouver). They require at least 1 hour notice for pick-up. The Gabriola Taxi company has a car available which can accommodate 4 people. If there are more in your party you may wish to call in advance to arrange pickup via a larger vehicle.
Automobile Rentals
There are a variety of automobile rental companies located in Nanaimo. The following is a list of companies close to the ferry which provide shuttle service to and from the ferry:
- BUDGET: (250) 754-7368 175 Terminal Ave
- AVIS: (250) 753-1111 165 S Terminal Ave
- RENT-A-WRECK: (250) 753-6461 111 S Terminal Ave
Bus Charters
For a larger number of people arriving at Vancouver Airport at similar times, you may prefer to charter a bus to take them from the Vancouver Airport to Gabriola Island. Maverick Coach Lines Ltd. offers 25 passenger mini buses or 47 to 53 passenger deluxe highway buses for charter. For more information contact Maverick head office in Vancouver at (604) 255-1171.
More travel Links
For more information on Gabriola Island see the Chamber of Commerce page.
Heres a quick map of Gabriola in relation to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island: www.travelamap.com/canada/gabriola.htm
If you got here by clicking a link on our conference page. You can click here to return.
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