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Location
To get to Gabriola Island take BC Ferries from Nanaimo, for a 20-minute ferry ride. For complete schedules contact BC Ferries.
 Drumbeg
Location
To get to drumbeg from the Gabriola ferry terminal take South Road to Stalker Road and follow signs to the park. Drumbeg Provincial Park is also accessible by boat, with very limited anchorage. The park is situated in the middle of a very busy passage. Boaters can reference marine chart #3475 for more information on this area.
Outdoor Activities
This park has a kilometer long sand and pebble beach with sandstone and conglomerate rock formations that are seen at low tide. There are 2 km of easy walking trails that follow the shoreline and go through endangered Garry oak ecosystems and meadows. These trails are accessible from the day-use area.
The park is a diverse marine zone. Scuba divers can dive from the shores of the park, or go out to Rogers reef by boat and still stay out of the strong currents that run through Gabriola Passage. There is no designated swimming area at this park. Be cautious when swimming in the ocean at this park because riptides and currents can be dangerous. There are no lifeguards on duty at any provincial park.
Facilities at this day-use only park include a grassy field, pit toilets, picnic tables, hiking trails and an information shelter.
WARNING: This park has a plant called Giant Hogweed. Touching any part of this plant, followed by exposure to sunlight causes painful blisters or burns up to 48 hours after contact. Contact with eyes can cause temporary or permanent blindness. If you do come in contact with the plant, you are advised to wash the affected areas immediately, keep them out of direct sunlight and seek medical advice.
Giant Hogweed is originally from Asia and was introduced as a garden ornamental plant. It grows to 5-7 meters (15-20 feet) and a width of 1.7 meters (5 feet). The thick, hollow stems have reddish-purple spots and bristles. The large leaves are similar to shape to maple leaves, with hairs on the undersurface.
Fires
There are no fires allowed in this park.
Camping
There is no camping allowed in this park.
Nearby Parks
Other parks on the island are Sandwell Provincial Park and Gabriola Sands Provincial Park.
Rules and Regulations
To see the complete list of opportunities and regulations for this park please see the BC Parks Parkfinder.
For the general rules and regulations for all Provincial parks please see BC Parks General information.
 Gabriola Sands
Location
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.
Outdoor Activities
Gabriola Sands Park has two sandy beaches and large manicured grassy lawns. There is a day-use area complete 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.
The designated swimming areas on the sandy beaches are great for shallow salt water swimming.
Fires
There are no fires allowed in this park.
Camping
There is no camping allowed in this park.
Nearby Parks
Other parks on the island are Sandwell Provincial Park and Drumbeg Provincial Park.
Rules and Regulations
To see the complete list of opportunities and regulations for this park please see the BC Parks Parkfinder.
For the general rules and regulations for all Provincial parks please see BC Parks General information.
 Sandwell
Location
The park is located on Strand Road, approximately 10 km from the ferry terminal. Take North Road and turn left on Barrett Road, following park directional signs.
Outdoor Activities
There is an 800-meter walking trail that goes from the parking lot to the picnic area on the sandy beach at Lock Bay. The final portion of the trail to the beach is very steep and slippery. Visitors should use caution and wear proper footwear.
There are2 picnic tables, pit toilets and an information shelter.
At low tide, visitors can walk down the beach to view a prehistoric petroglyph carved into the sandstone rocks, east of the day-use area. This site is only accessible at low tide.
Fires
There are no fires allowed in this park.
Camping
There is no camping allowed in this park.
Nearby Parks Other parks on the island are Drumbeg Provincial Park and Gabriola Sands Provincial Park.
Rules and Regulations
To see the complete list of opportunities and regulations for this park please see the BC Parks Parkfinder.
For the general rules and regulations for all Provincial parks please see BC Parks General information.
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