Lifestyle
There are three provincial parks on the island including Gabriola Sands Provincial Park, Sandwell Provincial Park, and Drumbeg Provincial Park. In Descano Bay Regional Park you’ll find family-friendly campgrounds and the beautiful coastal sandstone formations known as the Malaspina Galleries preserved here. Gabriola Island boasts 98 km of coastline with spectacular views of the B.C. mountain ranges. Here you’ll find every opportunity to experience water activities like no other. There are also 173 km of trails and paths winding through the dozens of parks and greenspaces where you can explore the island’s majestic forested areas and be immersed in the natural beauty of the island.
A significant aspect of life on Gabriola Island is the local fare. Much of the food supply on the island is grown in the community and can be enjoyed at the many independent restaurants, cafes, and farmers markets. You’ll find every type of cuisine to enjoy within the Gabriola Island dining scene. The community is also home to dozens of artists who produce local art work of all kinds from live performances to visual arts and everything in between. With more than 70 art studios and galleries to visit on the island, you’ll be immersed in a world of beauty and culture. The Isle of the Arts Festival is the island’s annual spring event that features dozens of workshops and live performances over 11 days.
Real Estate
There are just under 5000 residents living on Gabriola Island full-time, but within the last five years there has been a significant real estate transition of vacation properties being turned into full-time homes. There are also many new developments emerging that are contributing to the changing demographic. Most properties on Gabriola Island are on half acre lots or larger, providing an attractive alternative to the larger homes on smaller lots typical of mainland British Columbia.
