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Gabriola Island
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Malaspina Galleries
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Malaspina Galleries

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See all things to do
Malaspina Galleries
4.5

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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
10 within 3 miles
Woodfire Restaurant & Catering
330
1.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Pizza • Grill • Canadian
Skol Pub
16
1.1 mi$ • Bar • Pub • Canadian
Mad Rona's Coffee Bar
159
1.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Cafe • Canadian • Vegetarian Friendly
Wishbone
4
1.3 mi$ • Seafood • Deli
Ground Up Cafe And Catering
1
1.5 miCafe • Diner • Healthy • Canadian
The Sunset Lounge Dining Room
62
1.9 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Canadian
Dinghy Dock Pub & Floating Restaurant
653
2.9 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • Seafood • Pub
Bruno's Kitchen And Catering
0.2 mi
Hole in the Wall - Under the Skol
1 miCafe • Canadian
Gabriola Golf & Country Club - Clubhouse Restaurant
2.5 miCanadian
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Attractions
47 within 6 miles
Gabriola Sands Provincial Park
36
0.5 miParks
Newcastle Island
389
2.8 miNature & Wildlife Areas • Parks
Descanso Bay Regional Park
23
0.7 miNature & Wildlife Areas • Parks
Harbourfront Walkway
627
Scenic Walking Areas
Neck Point Park
450
Parks
Pipers Lagoon Park
321
Nature & Wildlife Areas
Westwood Lake Park
223
Parks
Maffeo Sutton Park
200
Bodies of Water • Parks
Nanaimo Museum
195
History Museums
Protection Island
103
2.5 miIslands
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See what other travelers are saying
  • Fred A
    Gabriola Island, Canada80 contributions
    It's a natural wonder, not an art gallery
    If you're on Gabriola Island, it's worth your time to visit Malaspina Galleries. It's a sandstone formation, carved out by waves. The view of the Strait of Georgia from the peninsula above, and from the galleries, is worth the trip. The Galleries are one of a kind.
    Visited November 2019
    Written January 3, 2020
  • coldtruth2009
    Qualicum Beach, Canada98 contributions
    Worth having a look
    We spent our day on Gabriola visiting several of the places suggested and we quite enjoyed this particular attraction. Beautiful ocean views, as well as seeing how time has eroded part of the shoreline area. Certainly worth the effort to find it on the map and stop by.
    Visited August 2020
    Traveled as a couple
    Written July 31, 2020
  • Vijayakrishnan R
    Folsom, California74 contributions
    Unique natural formations of Gabriola Island
    The Malaspina galleries is a very unique natural formation in Gabriola Island. We were staying at Vancouver so we had to take the ferry from Vancouver to Nanaimo and take another ferry from Nanaimo to Gabriel Island. We had never been on a ferry ride before and it was fun.
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written April 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
64 reviews
Excellent
49
Very good
12
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
0
ccriderYVR
Vancouver, Canada3,583 contributions
Definately worth a visit - very unique Geological features
Aug 2023 • Couples
Located on the north end of Gabriola Island. If you are in Nanaimo, it's worth a visit. It is not too far from the ferry terminal. 5 min drive if you have a car, 30 mins walking or 10 min on a bike. We had our bikes and walking on with them was easy.

The access is at the end of a dead end in a residential neighborhood. The formation juts out and the views are amazing. Depending on the tide, you can go in for a swim, although there is a lot of sea weed and sharp rocks, mussels and barnacles on the rocks. Recommend water shoes if you do go in.

There is a beach that is better for swimming a few minute walk along the shoreline to Gabriola Sands Park in Taylor Bay. Not much in terms of facilities so bring food, water.
Written August 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
YipeeHoliday
Vancouver12 contributions
Look for the Side Ledge
Oct 2021
To echo other reviewers, the rock formations were beautiful. Definitely worth a visit. Easy and short access from small parking lot. Low tide is best time to visit. Reminder: There are 2 spots to view the rock formations. The main spot is in front of you as you walk down from the path. The more dramatic spot (where you see everyone's photos with the high outcrop) is accessed from a narrow side ledge (on the left side when you are walking down). We almost missed it. We were standing in the main area and wondering "This doesn't look as dramatic as all the photos we've seen". Then we turned around to go back up and accidentally discovered the side ledge. That led us to the high outcrop. The ledge is on your right hand side if you are turning around to go back up the path. Seeing the graffiti and etching made by past visitors were disappointing.
Written October 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IslandBC123
16 contributions
It's a treasure! Wow!
Aug 2022
This sandstone wave was amazing. It truly is a treasure of Gabriola Island. Anywhere else this would be fenced off for viewing only, but it was amazing to be able to walk in it. It's sad to see so many feeling the need to carve their names or do graffiti and hope that the Island Trust will do something to stop the vandalism. It's a treasure
Written August 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David F
2 contributions
74 years ago.
Apr 2021
I visited the Galleries when they were called Cave of the Winds back in 1947 and I was 8 years old, 74 years ago.
Written April 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pastorash
Moose Jaw, Canada478 contributions
Amazing little spot
Aug 2020 • Couples
Just amazing to see the galleries and to walk within the formations themselves. Be careful with young kids for sure but we’ll worth a quick half hour visit or stay and enjoy some time there as we did.
Written August 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robbie F
Edmonton, Canada33 contributions
Breathtaking
Sep 2019 • Couples
This place is incredible. Pictures don’t do it justice!! It’s a must see. Easy walk, great spot for pictures, ample parking.
Written September 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shiny_Crow
British Columbia, Canada156 contributions
Unique and interesting beauty
Jan 2019 • Couples
Quite the spectacular natural spectacle visually representing a cresting wave about 200 feet long. We went at mid-tide so were able to get down to the actual galleries, but probably inaccessible at high tide.

Very easy to access and only a very short walk from the parking area at the end of the road. Well worth taking the time to have a look if you are in the area.
Written January 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CountryHills
Calgary, Canada681 contributions
Great natural rock formations
Sep 2018 • Couples
The rock formations were a lovely surprise on outing to Gabriola island. Almost missed the most dramatic cliffs but saw a fellow duck around the corner of the path to show us how to find them.
Written September 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jasonboxaus
Perth, Australia25 contributions
She said yes!!
Jul 2017
Proposed in this location, beautiful spot!! Easy access from the road, nice beaches walking distance
Written July 11, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
canadianlassOttawa
Kars, Canada36 contributions
Bit of a misnomer. Rocks carved out by the sea.
Sep 2014 • Friends
I expected some tourist trap, stores filled with local wares. The walk out onto the water is so unexpected. Running shoes and cameras are mandatory. But the carved out overhangs of rock are the reason you are here. Sit in the sun, protected from breezes and enjoy the beautiful views.
Written September 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Malaspina Galleries - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Malaspina Galleries

Malaspina Galleries Information

Excellent Reviews

49

Very Good Reviews

12

Malaspina Galleries Photos

81