Ministry of Environment - Gabriola Sands Provincial Parks

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Park Info:

Picturesque Gabriola Sands, one of three provincial parks on Gabriola Island, features two sandy beaches and large manicured grassy lawns. This small day-use only park is a very popular local destination for swimming, picnicking, organized sporting activities and special events, including an annual fireworks display on Halloween.

The park’s two sandy beaches form an isthmus that divides Taylor Bay and Pilot Bay. This isthmus and sandy beach are relatively uncommon in the rocky Gulf Islands, and provide important ecosystems for migratory and breeding shorebirds and many marine invertebrates that live in the sand.

Visitors to Gabriola Island will not want to miss a stop at pretty Gabriola Sands park – an ideal place to relax and enjoy a picnic or swim on a hot summer day.

Park Size: 6 hectares

Management Planning:

Management Planning Information

Approved Master Plan
See also: Drumbeg Provincial Park

Location:

Location Map

Gabriola Sands Provincial Park is located on the northwest side of Gabriola Island on an isthmus dividing Taylor Bay and Pilot Bay. Access to Gabriola Island is via BC Ferries from Nanaimo on southern Vancouver Island, a 20 minute ferry ride. From the ferry terminal on Gabriola, turn left on Taylor Bay Road and follow until you see signs for Gabriola Sands Provincial Park, located on Decourcy Drive. The park is also accessible by boat. Boaters can reference marine chart #3458 for more information on this area.

Map/Brochure:

Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

Maps

Nature & Culture:

General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information

Visitor Safety:

General Visitor Safety Information (park safety, hazards, wildlife safety information, health risks)

Reservations:For parks that accept reservations, all vehicle accessible campsites (with the exception of
group sites) must be reserved through Discover Camping.

Camping not permitted in this park. For parks that accept reservations or information on the reservation service, click here.

Explore Parks: Fees, park listings, what you should know before you go and other useful links.

Contact Information:

R.L.C. Enterprize Ltd.
E-mail address: office@rlcenterprize.com
Phone: (250) 474-1336

	There are no vehicle accessible camping facilities at this park.
	Walk-in camping is not permitted at this park.
	There are no group campsites at this park.
	Gabriola Sands Park has a day-use/picnic area with picnic tables, pit toilets, a cold water hand pump (water must be boiled, filtered or treated prior to consumption), two sandy beaches, a parking lot and a playing field.
	Pit toilets in the park are wheelchair accessible.
	A cold water hand pump is located in the middle of the day-use area. This water must be boiled, filtered or treated prior to consumption.
	This park has 2 pit toilets - one on Taylor Bay beach and the other on Pilot Bay beach.
	No showers.
	No sani-station/dump facilities.
	Campfires are not permitted.
	There are no electrical hook-ups in this park.
	There are no regularly scheduled interpretive programs at this park.
	There are no developed trails at this park.
	This park does not have a playground.
	Designated swimming areas can be found Taylor Bay and Pilot Bay. The lovely sandy beaches and shallow water make for excellent salt water swimming. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.
	There are opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park.
	This park does not have a boat launch. The nearest boat launch is located at Silva Bay Marina on Gabriola Island.
	Rockfish Conservation Areas occur within this park. Fishing activities are limited in Rockfish Conservation Areas. Before you go fishing please refer to the Rockfish Conservation Area descriptions available from Fisheries and Oceans Canada DFO. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
	Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
	No horseback riding.
	Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement.
	No wildlife viewing opportunities.
	No winter recreation opportunities.
	No SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities.
	No windsurfing opportunities.
	No waterskiing opportunities.
	This park is closed to hunting.
	No climbing or rock climbing opportunities.
	No spelunking or caving opportunities.
	No cabins, yurts or lodges for public use.