Experience

Learn how to make your own handcrafted cheeses! Come and enjoy a truly unique experience and spend a few hours with Paula learning how to handcraft cheese. Paula takes you on a journey through the history and science behind cheese making and shows you how to bring this lost art back into your own home kitchen using readily available supplies. Classes are not only delicious but also a lot of fun! 

Address: 2125 North Road, Gabriola Island, BC V0R 1X7
Contact info: www.makecheesewithpaula.ca   paula@makecheesewithpaula.ca
Operating hours: by appointment or as scheduled on their website
Admission Fee: see website for details

From sipping a Gabbies cider amongst the orchard blossoms on a warm spring afternoon to crisp autumn days picking fresh apples, Ravenskill Orchards and Cidery are proud to be part of the Gabriola experience. You can purchase their award winning farmhouse cider at their cidery tasting room. Popular growler fills are also available. The tasting room is open on weekends year round. Please check out the Gabbies Farmhouse Cider website or Facebook for hours of operation. Apple picking at Ravenskill Orchard opens on weekends from mid September to November. There are over 20 heirloom variety of apples to pick. Don’t want to pick apples, then visit their fruit stand, where you can purchase the highest quality apples, fresh pressed apple juice, honey, apple cider vine gar, as well as their famous Apple pie caramels.

Address: 1249 Coats Drive, Gabriola, BC V0R 1X4
Contact info: ravenskill.com keith@ravenskillorchards.ca (250) 325-1111
Orchard hours: Seasonal, please visit the Ravenskill Orchard website or Facebook for updates.

Captain Bob Meyer has been operating Silver Blue Charters from its berth in Silva Bay Marina for thirty-three years.  Both the Captain and boat are Transport Canada certified, and both the boat and passengers are fully insured. The boat is a Searay Amberjack, and is Transport Canada licenced for up to six people. It features comfortable seating, a stand up bathroom, full electronics, and Shimano fishing tackle. Primary target species include Chinook, Coho, and Pink Salmon, Ling, Rockfish, Prawn, and Crab. He is very welcoming to anglers of all skill levels, whether it be novice, or expert. He really enjoys the social aspect of fishing, and do try to make it fun! He also offers wildlife trips for viewing of whales, sea lions, seals, eagles, and other species in which will make for a wonderful and unforgettable experience.

Address: All trips leave from Silva Bay Marina, unless prearranged pick up is arranged.
Contact info: www.silverbluecharters.com bob@silvercharters.com (250) 247-8807 
Operating hours: Year round, damn until dusk, please visit the Silver Blue Charters’ website for details/updates.

TasteBuds offers wine tasting parties in a 2.5-hour session for up to 8 people. Wine educator, Deb Pike, will help you experience and design the wine tasting for you or your friends’ preference while facilitating for enjoyment and gaining wine’s knowledge and learning the way of pairing it with cheese. Glasses, cheeses and three wines (of your choice) are included in the session as well as tasting note sheets and information posters. An informal tasting party would be a fun and memorable friends’ gathering for an island getaway.

Address: 163 Malaspina Drive, Gabriola
Contact info: deb@tastebudswine.ca (250) 415-9815 
Fee: Arranged in consultation with clients and start at $200. (Consultation, wines, cheeses and facilitation included.) Please see www.tastebudswine.ca for sample tasting menus

Down the winding driveway, there’s a stack wall studio just passed the alpacas and hens, filled with pottery, herbal teas, tinctures as well as photography and more.

Josee Velsen as the owner of the wellness studio, offering several workshops to choose from and can also customize unique and interesting workshops. To learn about ancient Ayurveda and Lifestyle for today’s world, Meditations for beginners and Mindful gratitude as well as Love your Liver workshop and Nature herbal walks, contact Josee for more details or book in advance to explore the incredible Gabriola experience.

Address: 3300 South Road (walking distance from Silva Bay Resort)
Contact info: www.labelleviestudio.com   velsen@telus.net   (250) 816-2208 
Operating hours: Year round, make an appointment, visit their website.

For 10 years, the Isle of The Arts Festival has brought artists and community together on Gabriola. It started as a series of workshops known as ArtStart, and has evolved into a cherished annual event offering a diverse mix of arts programming. This year they invite you to join them for 30 unique workshops, 3 “hot topic” afternoon dialogues, and 3 exceptional evening events including an award-winning theatre show, our 4th annual Reading and Reconciliation literary event, and a cabaret style celebratory wrap-up party—the Arty Party. They are also hosting The Arts of The Isle Market on Saturday, April 11 from 11am to 3pm at The Surf Lodge.

It’s their 10th Anniversary! Come celebrate with them!

For more detailed information, please check www.artsfest.artsgabriola.ca.

This year, Gabriola Community Hall Association will be holding their 65th annual fundraiser event, Annual Salmon BBQ, on August 8th at the Community Hall. It runs from 4 pm – 8 pm and offers local entertainment to the crowds. Everyone can purchase tickets for Salmon or Salad dinners.  They encourage everyone to bring their own dishes and drinkware and take them home to clean as part of Gabriola’s green lifestyle.  There are also hot dogs, cold drinks and ice cream as well as beer and cider available.  There is also a silent auction and raffle of donated items from the local businesses and artists as well as a KIDS Zone where kids can do some lovely crafts. Their Power Squadron brings their Boat for the children to play on. GERTIE provides bus service to the Barbecue from many points on the island.  Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the local entertainment.

For more detailed information, please check www.gabriolacommunityhall.com.