Park & nature
Gabriola Sands Provincial Park
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Gabriola Sands Provincial Park is a small but picturesque park on Gabriola Island, known for its two sandy beaches, Pilot Bay and Taylor Bay, that are linked by a narrow sandbar at low tide. The park offers excellent swimming in the warm, shallow waters, and the gentle slope makes it family-friendly. Picnic tables and grassy areas are scattered among arbutus and Douglas-fir trees, providing shady spots for lunch. Visitors can explore tidal pools teeming with starfish and crabs, or walk the short forest trail connecting the beaches. The park's west-facing position also makes it a lovely spot for sunset views over the Strait of Georgia.
Don't miss
- Walk across the sandbar between Pilot Bay and Taylor Bay at low tide
- Search for sea stars and crabs in the tidal pools
- Enjoy a picnic with views of the Strait of Georgia
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Gabriola Sands Provincial Park
You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inVancouver Lookout Admission Ticket4.3★ · 201 travelers~1 hoursFree cancellationFrom$16 per personSee dates →
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Top ratedGuided Fishing Adventure in Whistler5★ · 109 travelers~3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$159 per personSee dates →More attractions in Nanaimo