Gabriola Island is an island in the Nanaimo Regional District on the West coast of British Columbia, Canada between mainland BC and Vancouver Island. It is about 14 km long by 4.2 km wide with a land area of 57.6 km² (22.24 sq mi) and a population of 3,522 as of the Canada 2001 Census. A vehicle and passenger ferry operates regularly from Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. The ferry crossing time is 20 minutes and is considered a commuter ferry as most Gabriolans work in Nanaimo and the high school students must travel to Nanaimo to get to school. The island has a large contingent of artists and artisans and is becoming known for its annual "Studio and Gallery Tour" that is the largest of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. In addition, Gabriola boasts a remarkable number of talented musicians, singers and actors and hosts the Dancing Man Music Festival in late April.
