Gabriola Island is a twenty minute ferry ride from the city of Nanaimo across the North Umberland Channel. The island is one of the largest of the Southern Gulf Islands with a population of appr. 5,000 people.
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| Quinsam returning to Nanaimo |
Gabriola Island is a haven for artists, retirees and to those who simply wish for a slower pace of life. It truly is quiet and tranquil. In fact, at times the sense of tranquility is inescapable here. " Island time" is a reality here.
Gabriola's name is thought to have been derived following the arrival of Jose Maria Narvaez on the island in 1791 when he christened it as Punta de Gaviola. The earliest settlers on the island can be traced back to the late 1800's. Many were blended families with European men and First Nations wives. The heritage belongs to the Snu Neymuxw First Nations. In the mid 70's and 1980's "hippie immigration" caused the population to rise to around 2,000 people.
Today, as a broad generalization the people of Gabriola are typically self-sufficient, artistic, perhaps eccentric, retired or old hippies. There are also many affluent families who own the oceanfront homes and vacation properties. Most locals that we have met seem friendly and are very passionate about "their" island.
Discussion usually centres around water, the shortage of water during summer droughts, collection of water and the amount of water used. Garbage and recycling is taken seriously as all garbage has to be taken off of the island. Sustainability and respect for the environment, along with recycling, are on the islander's mind at all times. Gabriola is definitely a "Green Island".
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