Getting to Gabriola Island
Check out the options below on arriving with your dog, by ferry, plane or private boat.
By Ferry
BC Ferries provides the only year-round, vehicle and passenger service to Gabriola Island via Vancouver Island.
Gabriola Island Ferry
The 20-25 minute Nanaimo-Gabriola route is the only ferry to Gabriola. Check the BC Ferries website for schedules, fares (dogs ride free) and their specific information regarding Travel with Pets webpage, including FAQs. Reservations are not accepted for this route.
The Nanaimo Harbour terminal is in the downtown waterfront area. There is only an itty-bitty patch of grass for dogs to relieve themselves within the terminal parking lot but you are permitted to leave your vehicle in the line-up and enjoy the dog-friendly, seaside walkway that is adjacent to the terminal. As there is only one waiting area, dogs are not permitted inside, but there is a covered bench outside.
If the staff at the Nanaimo Harbour terminal ticket kiosk see your dog in your car (or walking beside you as a walk-on), they'll probably offer them a dog biscuit. :)
If the staff at the Nanaimo Harbour terminal ticket kiosk see your dog in your car (or walking beside you as a walk-on), they'll probably offer them a dog biscuit. :)
The Gabriola terminal has a single, interior, four-bench passenger waiting area but dogs are not permitted inside. There are several uncovered benches outside. There's no payment to leave Gabriola so cars line-up along the shoulders of North Road and Taylor Bay Road or walk-on passengers and bicycles embark near the waiting room. While waiting to load, you can walk your dog along the narrow roads (with narrow shoulders), up into the parking lots behind the Skol Pub or down by the ferry parking lot.
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Gabriola Ferry Welcomes Dogs in Passenger Lounge #4
The Quinsam ferry holds 70 cars on a single level, exposed car deck (Deck 2), and maximum 400 people and crew, with interior passenger lounges on the same level as the car deck. Passengers or dogs are not permitted on the upper deck, which reserved for crew only. On-leash dogs are welcome in one of the four passenger lounges. There isn't a specific sign on the doors but it's located closest to Engine Room #4 which is signed (or ask any crew member). So if you boarded in Nanaimo, it will be the first lounge on the right, or if you boarded on Gabriola, it will be the last lounge on the left. "Is this an official policy that I can add to the Dogs on Gabriola website?" I asked a crew member. "Yes, the Senior Captain has approved it on a trial basis, so as long as the dogs are on leash, it's been going well," he replied. Thank-you Quinsam ferry crew! There may also be dog-friendly chairs undercover by the entrance/exit doors of the other passenger lounges or dogs can remain in your vehicle (and you can remain with them too) or walk on-leash on the car deck. |
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Questions?
Gabriola Ferry Nanaimo Harbour Terminal
250-753-9344 .
When to line-up?
Check the Gabriola Ferry Cam which shows the current line-up for vehicles leaving Gabriola.
Gabriola Ferry Nanaimo Harbour Terminal
250-753-9344 .
When to line-up?
Check the Gabriola Ferry Cam which shows the current line-up for vehicles leaving Gabriola.
Departure Bay Ferry (Vancouver Island)
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The 1 hour and 40 minute West Vancouver - Nanaimo (specifically, Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay) route ends at Horseshoe Bay, the closest ferry terminal to Nanaimo (the departure for the Nanaimo-Gabriola ferry route), about 4 kilometres. If you are walking, most of the route is along a dog-friendly waterfront pathway, with the remainder along city sidewalks. Check the website for schedules, fares (dogs ride free) and their specific information regarding Travel with Pets webpage, including FAQs.
In summary, dogs aren't permitted on the passenger decks and must remain on one of two car decks, either in your own vehicle, walking on-leash on the upper/open car decks or inside the small, enclosed, designated pet area (located on the upper/open car decks), which has benches. As of October 2017, you are only permitted to remain in your vehicle with your dog if parked on the upper/open car decks, and you may request this deck when purchasing tickets (not guaranteed). As of February 2016, the Queen of Oak Bay ferry (one of the ferries on the Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay route) is the first vessel to have kennels installed (you'll need to bring your own padlock) which allows you secure your dog and leave temporarily and go up to the passenger-only deck. Please check the BC Ferries Travel with Pets webpage for current updates on that project. Note: Please please please consider your dog's comfort level before leaving unattended in the car-deck kennels. Questions? BC Ferries Customer Service 1-888-BC FERRY (1-888-223-3779) www.bcferries.com/contact_us/ |
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Duke Point Ferry (Vancouver Island)
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The 2 hour Vancouver - Nanaimo (specifically, Tsawwassen-Duke Point) route ends at Duke Point on Vancouver Island and is approximately 10 kilometres from the Nanaimo terminal (the departure for the Nanaimo-Gabriola route). Check the website for schedules, fares (dogs ride free) and their specific information regarding Travel with Pets webpage, including FAQs.
In summary, dogs aren't permitted on the passenger decks and must remain on one of two car decks, either in your own vehicle, walking on-leash on the upper/open car decks or inside the small, enclosed, designated pet area (located on the upper/open car decks), which has benches. As of October 2017, you are only permitted to remain in your vehicle with your dog if parked on the upper/open car decks, and you may request this deck when purchasing tickets (not guaranteed). Currently, there are no kennels in the designated pet area, like on the Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay route. Please check the BC Ferries Travel with Pets webpage for updates on their kennel installation projects. Questions? BC Ferries Customer Service 1-888-BC FERRY (1-888-223-3779) www.bcferries.com/contact_us/ |
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Taxi
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As a walk-on ferry passenger, you may opt for a taxi from either the Nanaimo ferry terminals or Vancouver Island locations. These Nanaimo companies welcome on-leash dogs at no extra charge. Please call them directly to confirm specific details:
Howe Sound Taxi
Dispatch: 250-741-8800 No website Nanaimo Airporter Shuttle (also door-to-door service)
Reservations: 1-888-758-2133 or book online nanaimoairporter.com |
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Bus
Currently, dogs are not permitted on Nanaimo's public city buses or private coach lines, but they are welcome on our Gabriola bus --yeah Gabriola!
BicyclesMaybe you're biking with your dog in a dog trailer? Or keeping your small dog in a front basket? Cyclists purchase tickets at/near the vehicle ticket kiosks (follow specific signage) and load directly onto the car decks on the Nanaimo-Gabriola route and the West Vancouver - Nanaimo and Vancouver - Nanaimo ferry routes.
Check the BC Ferries website for schedules and fares (bicycles are extra, dogs are free) or the specific Cycling with BC Ferries webpage for more information. Website: www.bcferries.com/travel_planning/Cycling_with_BC_Ferries.html |
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BoatThere are two marinas on Gabriola Island and both welcome dogs.
Page's Resort & Marina
On five acres overlooking Silva Bay, the marina is dog-friendly as well as their cottages, camping and bookstore. 3350 Coast Road 250-247-8931 VHF 66A www.pagesresort.com/marina.html |
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Float PlaneThere is only one private float plane company servicing Gabriola Island and they welcome dogs (some restrictions apply, contact them for details).
Gulf Island Seaplanes 3383 South Road (at Silva Bay Marina) 250-247-9992 or 1-800-665-2359 www.gulfislandseaplanes.com |
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Note: a guide dog or a service dog, as defined in the Guide Dog and Service Dog Act, is not restricted from any areas where passengers are permitted.