Anchorage· Gabriola· Salish Sea — San Juans, Gulf Islands & Desolation Sound
Pilot Bay (Gabriola Island)
49° 11.8′ N · 123° 51.2′ W
A wide bay on Gabriola's north end facing the Strait of Georgia, with a warm, shallow sandy beach at Gabriola Sands Provincial Park. It is a good stop with Malaspina Galleries and Taylor Bay across the narrow isthmus.
Practical
Coordinate is the OSM bay. Sheltered from most winds but open to swell wrapping round the north point from the Strait of Georgia; check depths and the shallows near the beach on chart 3443. Pit toilets ashore in the park. Pilot Bay is a federal designated sewage area: no discharge unless it passes a marine sanitation device meeting 14 fecal coliforms per 100 mL, so hold everything. Nanaimo's harbour is about 4 nm away for supplies.
Best for
Beach, swimming, easy access to Nanaimo
Season
May-September
Nearby
- Taylor Bay and Gabriola Sands (Gabriola Island)0.5 NM away
- Malaspina Galleries (Gabriola Island)0.8 NM away
- Gabriola Farmers Market (Gabriola Island)1.4 NM away
- Dinghy Dock Pub (Protection Island)3.1 NM away
- Saysutshun Newcastle Island Marine Park (Mark Bay)3.2 NM away
- Nanaimo Port Authority Marina (Boat Basin)3.6 NM away
- Nanaimo Downtown Provisioning (Port Place)3.7 NM away
- Departure Bay (Nanaimo)4 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).