Gambier Island BC Visit

Of Note: Only cash is accepted for the ferry ride, no reservation available (sailing wait is possible), ferry runs on a limited schedule, no garbage facilities or any stores or services exist on Gambier Island.

Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Backroad Mapbook (5th edition) Gambier Island Coordinates: Page 10 (Gibsons) E5.

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Gambier Island is quite a large and sparsely populated island, located a 10-minute passenger-only cash-only ($7 per person one way) small ferry ride away from Langdale Ferry Terminal on BC Sunshine Coast near Gibsons. We visited Gambier Island to hike Mount Killam, so this trip report serves as a start of Mount Killam Trail Hike trip report, as it shows a way to get to Gambier Island from Langdale. Also, there are a few photos of the dock, the nearby community centre, and a few other things. Do note that Gambier Island has no garbage facilities, and no trash cans of any kind. There are pit toilets (but no toilet paper) available by the community centre, which is located about 600 meters from the New Brighton dock, where the Langdale ferry comes several times a day.

The ferry starts running early at 0725 AM, but also finishes quite early too (the last run from Gambier Island is at 0630 PM, but you will need to call at least an hour ahead for the ferry to come at this time). The last scheduled ferry leaving Gambier Island is at 0545 PM. So, if you do not want to rush while hiking on Gambier Island, try to catch the first ferry out of Langdale at 0725 AM.

1. Here is a Google Maps view of Gambier Island. New Brighton dock is at the bottom on the left side.

2. Gambier Island seen from a Horseshoe Bay to Langdale ferry. Mount Killam, which we hiked the same day, is on the right side.

Gambier Island, BC, Canada

3. Here were are driving from Gibsons on Highway 101, with Langdale Ferry Terminal entrance straight ahead after the intersection. Make a left turn here onto Port Mellon Highway. If coming from a ferry (from the opposite direction), make a right turn at this intersection. If you are on foot, Gambier Island Ferry (also goes to Keats Island) is located about 100 meters to the right after you exit from Langdale Ferry - just walk over.

Highway 101 at Port Melon Highway, Sunshine Coast, British Columbia

4. Having turned left at the above intersection, we are getting ready to turn right almost immediately. The sign indicates that turning right is for "Foot Passengers" and "Pay Parking".

Port Melon Highway, Langdale, BC

5. Making that right turn from Port Mellon Highway onto Smith Road.

Port Melon Highway at Smith Road

6. Now on Smith Road, heading to Long Term parking lot. Everything is very close here.

Smith Road, Langdale, British Columbia

7. Here is Langdale Ferry Terminal Long Term parking lot. You can pay for 16 hours, 24 hours, or longer than that. For a day trip to Gambier Island 16 hours should be enough - the cost was $3.25.

Langdale Ferry Terminal Long Term Parking Lot

8. Walk towards the terminal.

Langdale Ferry Terminal

9. Take this long covered walkway.

10. At the end of the walkway is where foot passengers board / disembark from Horseshoe Bay-bound ferries. So, if you get off that ferry at Langdale, you will end up at that spot, and, if you want to proceed to Gambier or Keats Islands, then just take the uncovered walkway seen below, joined by people who took the covered walkway from the Long Term parking lot, who would make a left turn after the covered walkway to get onto this uncovered walkway.

11. The first sign that we could see pointing to the Gambier Island Ferry.

12. Both walkways are about 100 meters long. The Gambier / Keats Island ferry is docked right after the sign seen above. The ferry is called Stormaway IV and seats about 20 people. Might be a good idea to call ahead 604-740-6589, if you have a large group. Perhaps, they would be able to arrange a separate sailing. This is a passenger-only ferry, and it takes about 10 minutes to get to Gambier Island. Bicycles are not allowed. Payment is $7 per person one way - cash only. The ferry's engine is quite noisy.

Stormaway IV Ferry

13. The front of Stormaway IV. There are two crew members onboard. One is skipping the boat, while the other collects payments once the ferry is under way.

Onboard Stormaway IV Gambier Island and Keats Island Ferry

14. The rear of Stormaway IV.

Stormaway IV Gambier Island Ferry

15. It's very cool to have open "windows" where one can take photos or simply breathe fresh air. Here we are looking at Langdale Ferry Terminal.

Langdale observed from onboard Stormaway IV ferry

16. The small islands on the right as you are heading to Gambier Island are called Grace Islands.

Grace Islands British Columbia