Island Life - The lifestyle benefits of a small rural community, with the energy and amenities of city life just minutes away.

 

Nestled just off the coast of central Vancouver Island, access to Gabriola Island is a convenient 20-minute car ferry from Nanaimo, with 16 sailings a day, 365 days a year. For those in need of bigger city lights, downtown Vancouver is a short 20-minute sea plane hop from Nanaimo.  
 
While close to the city lights, you wouldn't know it while you're here. A 45-minute drive around the island will take you past rolling farmland, through dense West Coast temperate rainforest, and along dramatic shorelines and beaches that becon the explorer in you. Deer watch you pass with mild curiosity, while circling bald eagles ride the ocean breezes above.  
 
However the true bliss of living on an island is not having to leave! And rarely do you need to with these kinds of on island amenities:
 

.        2 grocery stores

.        Gas station

.        Restaurants & Pubs

.        Marina

.        Golf Course

.        Credit Union and several ATM's

.        Health Clinic

.        Professional Services (dentist, massage, physio, lawyers, accountants)

.        Drug store

.        Farmers Markets

.        2 video stores

.        Provincial liquor store, and 3 specialty beer/wine stores

.        Theatre, clothing, art, hardware, building supply retail stores

         And much, much more.
 
For a full listing of businesses on the island, see our Island Resources page.