There s also a great selection of books for sale not surprising with Phyllis university librarian background. Phyllis and Ted, a retired physician, have brought a lot of spirit to the island, holding frequent art, music and literary evenings in their oceanside home. Pages Marina are the Flat Top Islands which offer great paddling, with views of snow-capped mountains across the Strait, seal haulouts and seabird colonies. Boaters may be interested in the wooden boat building school at Silva Bay where students learn traditional construction, or the marine ways there just in case a haulout is needed. Not far from Silva Bay is Pirates Cove Marine Park, on De Courcy Island, with two bays suitable for anchoring, and hiking trails through the forest.
Paddlers can also find good camping there.
There is a range of accommodations on Gabriola, but for campers, the best spots are at Pages at the south end of the island or at Gabriola Campground, close to the ferry at the north end. The Gabriola Campground is where we held the first two Kayak Festivals. You could even wheel your boat onto the Horseshoe Bay ferry and then, in under an hour, paddle over to the Campground from Nanaimo. Paddlers camping at the north end of Gabriola might like to visit the Saturday morning market at the Agi Hall for fresh veggies and baking. All mariners will enjoy cruising the waters around Gabriola, enjoying the cliffs, especially those on Valdez Island, which have been shaped by nature into many beautiful and amazing patterns.