Living on Gabriola Island offers a mix of natural beauty and community spirit with sandy beaches, forested parks, and a thriving arts culture. Just a short ferry ride from Nanaimo, the island attracts families, retirees, and artists who enjoy both privacy and access to city services. Housing includes oceanfront estates, cottages, and acreages, with many properties set among trees or overlooking the Salish Sea. With more than 30 years on Vancouver Island, I track actual market value and market movement so you can see what daily life and housing on Gabriola Island are really like.