Our Discover Gabriola blog features what we think is the best of Gabriola Island, sights, experiences, what’s happening, and a bit about our daily lives in the community!

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Twin Beaches. Picnic at the Beach.

Picturesque Gabriola Sands, one of three provincial parks on Gabriola Island, features two sandy beaches and large manicured grassy lawns.

This small day-use only park is a very popular local destination for swimming, picnicking, organized sporting activities and special events, including an annual fireworks display on Halloween.

The park’s two sandy beaches form an isthmus that divides Taylor Bay and Pilot Bay. This isthmus and sandy beach are relatively uncommon in the rocky Gulf Islands, and provide important ecosystems for migratory and breeding shorebirds and many marine invertebrates that live in the sand.

Visitors to Gabriola Island will not want to miss a stop at pretty Gabriola Sands park – an ideal place to relax and enjoy a picnic or swim on a hot summer day.

GaLLT Walk —Twin Beaches headland loop (2 km)

Start at parking area in Gabriola Sands Provincial Park (Twin Beaches). This walk goes clockwise around the shoreline of the Decourcy Peninsula, and is best at mid to low tide. Note: The rocks are dangerously slippery when wet. Ever-changing vista, interesting rocks, swimming spots, and summer sunsets. From the parking area, cross the road and walk over grass field to the sandy beach on Taylor Bay. Turn right on the sandy beach and at the end of the sand follow the rocky shoreline around the north side of Taylor Bay. The rocks soon give way to a flat sandstone shelf. The northern shoreline has vistas to Lasqueti and Texada islands. At the end of this northern shoreline you get a view of Entrance Island lighthouse. Next you round the headland into Pilot Bay and after about 100 metres look for wooden steps with a yellow concrete marker at the base. This is the return route, as the rock shelf is not passable all the way into Pilot Bay. At the top of the steps follow the public access trail to the paved road. Turn left and follow the road, taking the left fork at any intersection, to return to your starting point

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