Travel

Hotel

Tourism Gabriola: Lodging Directory

Find inns, B&Bs and guesthouses on the Tourism Gabriola website. Many are not listed on large booking websites like booking.com so please email them to inquire directly.

House Or Rental

Dragon's Lodge Cabins

Our venue has 11 basic cedar sleeping cabins, each with 2 camp cots, mosquito nets, windows and a front porch. Think of them as wooden tents! As they have no power or water, you'll share the facilities in the main lodge. These are free to stay - reach out to Ness or Gareth if interested. We also have space for 2 RVs.

Travel Note

Staying off Gabriola

We recommend staying on Gabriola. However, it's also possible to stay in Nanaimo and ferry over for the day of the wedding. Ferries are frequent but allow plenty of time to reach the island in case of sailing waits in summer. The last departing ferry Saturday night is around 10:30 pm (check BC Ferries schedules). The Coast Bastion or Quality Inn are walking distance to the ferry.

Travel Note

Coming from Vancouver?

You have two options to reach Gabriola Island: 1) No car: Take a 12-min scenic floatplane from Vancouver airport (YVR) to Gabriola (Silva Bay). See Gulf Island Seaplanes below. 2) With car: Take either ferry from Vancouver to Nanaimo: Tsawwassen → Duke Point OR Horseshoe Bay → Departure Bay. Then drive to Nanaimo Harbour and take the 20-min ferry to Gabriola (Descanso Bay).

Travel Note

Coming from Vancouver Island?

From Nanaimo Harbour, take the 20-min ferry to Gabriola (Descanso Bay). For international guests, you may be visiting Vancouver Island first before the wedding. You can also take a ferry from Vancouver (Tsawwassen) to Victoria (Swartz Bay) and spend some time in Victoria first, before making your way to Gabriola via Nanaimo. You'll need to hire a car to explore Vancouver Island (beyond Victoria).

Flight

Gulf Island Seaplanes

Floatplane service between Vancouver Airport (YVR) and Gabriola Island (Silva Bay floatplane terminal). 12 min scenic flight over the ocean - a cool experience if you've never taken one before. Check baggage limits on the website as planes are small.

Travel Note

Transportation

BC public transit options: • Vancouver has the Skytrain, buses + Uber. • Victoria / Nanaimo have buses + taxis. (No Uber) • Gabriola Island has a bus (see GERTIE below) but it doesn't run very often. We recommend having a car on Gabriola to get around, or teaming up with other guests who do. Hiring a car: You need a car to explore most of BC outside the major cities. You can hire one in Vancouver, Victoria or Nanaimo and bring it to Gabriola on the ferry. Rental cars are popular in summer and may be limited, so we recommend booking early. Wedding transport: Our venue has plenty of parking if you want to leave your car overnight and pick it up Sunday. A shuttle will run from the lodge in the evening to take guests home to their accommodations around Gabriola safely.

Travel Note

Ferry info

Here's some info if you're new to our ferry system. You can either drive on or walk on as a foot passenger. • Vehicles: Online reservations optional (extra cost) but useful on holidays or busy times. No reservations on the Gabriola ferry. Arrive at least 1 hour before sailing for the big Vancouver ferries. Buy your ticket or check in at the drive-up kiosk. • Foot passengers: Buy tickets in the Departures hall (no tickets online). Ticket sales end 15 min before sailing. • Ferry schedules, fares and info at www.bcferries.com.

Travel Note

Gabriola Island Bus

The GERTIE bus runs infrequently (not at all on Sundays) but it covers a few routes around the island, including past the ferry terminal. The Silva Bay Express loop passes our venue. It's a flag-down system so you must wave at the driver to stop, even at bus shelters. Tell the driver you're going to Dragon's Lodge and they'll stop for you. They take cash or card.

Travel Note

Gabriola Taxi

Gabriola has 2 taxis. If you plan to take one to the wedding, we recommend booking in advance at +1 250-247-0049 or gabriolataxi@shaw.ca. Since it's a small island, hours of operation are limited (8 am to 9 pm on weekends). We're planning a shuttle at night to get everyone home safely.

Travel Note

Canada entry requirements

Canada has strict COVID entry requirements and most foreign nationals must be fully vaccinated to enter the country. You may also need to test on arrival. Take the "Find out if you can enter Canada" quiz on travel.gc.ca to find guidance for your situation.