Gabriola Island
Gabriola Island is an island on the coast of British Columbia, Canada. It is about 14 km long by 4.2 km wide with an estimated population of 4,500. A vehicle and passenger ferry operates regularly from Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. The island has a large contingent of artists and artisans and is becoming know for its annual "Studio and Gallery Tour" that is the largest of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. Gabriola is also know for its 'petroglyphs' – carvings in the sandstone that date back as far as 2000 years according to anthropologists.
Gabriola Island is part of the Regional District of Nanaimo, and has strong connections to the city of Nanaimo, as do Lantzville, Cedar, South Wellington, and Extension. Residents of Gabriola Island often refer to it as "Gabe", and Vancouver Island as "The Island".
Gabriola Island is also where the ex wife of rock superstar Phil Collins lives.