Gambier Harbour, Gambier Island

Island Nights . . . Gabriels on Gambier Island!
Margaret and Leagh Gabriel invite you to partake in the Gambier Island lifestyle from the relaxing tranquil setting of Gabriels on Gambier Retreat. Sleep late in one of our comfortable, rustic book-lined rooms, get up when you please and sit down to one of the best breakfasts in British Columbia!

Rare books and unique peace
Formerly the owners of MARGARET GABRIEL: BOOKSELLER in Vancouver, the Gabriels are devoted to the twinned deities of rare and First Edition books and fine culinary arts. Visitors to Gabriels on Gambier Retreat can expect not only the peaceful ambiance of Gambier, but a library of over 2500 books to plunder for an afternoon read under the orchard's boughs or alongside our private pond. Many of our repeat guests are writers and certainly readers!

Of course if you want to sit inside and keep us company while we whip up one of our extraordinary breakfasts (or dinner - available upon request - if it suits your fancy), pull up a chair because you have the run of main area of the house and we love to talk about the literary life, food, the simple pleasures of Island living... we count our guests as our friends! Margaret is professionally trained and has owned her own catering business, La Chanterelle, in Vancouver.

Planning a retreat (8-10 people)?
Love great food and quiet spaces? Meditation/fun get-togethers/silent retreats/other spiritual retreats? We provide food and lodging - you provide content & activities. Close to Vancouver, easy to get to, warm and hospitable hosts. Please E-mail or call us at 604-886-0419.

Island rambles
Gambier Island affords quiet walks amidst a rainforest setting. Picnics on secluded beaches. Varied bird-watching. The gravel roads are ideal for hiking and mountain biking. The beauty of Gambier Island is a magnet for artists, and we can provide you with information about studios and artists on the Island you can visit during your stay.

You can also walk down to the Gambier Island General Store, a 3 km. walk away and a great place for a bite, a beer or a refreshing juice and casual banter with islanders. The Island is a perfect getaway retreat from the pressures and demands of city life, and moves at a nostalgic pace - you'll find you've never slept better nor been more spoiled with nature, books, and fine food than at Gabriels on Gambier Retreat! Couples and single travelers alike will find our B&B a welcome respite that feeds the mind, soul and body alike.

Gabriels on Gambier Retreat is adult-oriented, and our resident cats, Ripley and Panther, have requested a no pets policy - they enjoy human visitors but are possessive otherwise!

How to get to Gabriels Bed, Book and Breakfast
For a truly stress-free getaway, leave your car behind and take the West Vancouver Blue Bus to Horseshoe Bay. Walk on to BC Ferries to Langdale and transfer to the Dogwood Princess foot passenger ferry to New Brighton on Gambier Island. (*Note: at this time there is no room aboard the Dogwood run for kayaks, bicycles etc). Alternatively, on weekends, you may wish to catch the Mercury Water Taxi from Horseshoe Bay directly to Gambier Harbour, which is almost on our doorstep.

Mercury Water Taxi (reservations required, bicycles taken)
(604) 921-7451
BC Ferries - Langdale/Horseshoe Bay Run
Gambier/Keats Run
(no bicycles on Dogwood Princess)
1-888-223-3779
Gambier Island Water Taxi
(604) 886-8321