Park overview
One of three provincial parks on Gabriola Island, Drumbeg is a favourite spot for diving, hiking, nature viewing and picnicking. Overlooking scenic Gabriola Passage on the east end of the Island, Drumbeg offers excellent views of the Strait of Georgia and the Coast Mountains on the Mainland. The park contains a kilometre long sand and pebble beach with striking sandstone and conglomerate rock formations, which can be seen at low tide.
Drumbeg Park protects endangered Garry oak ecosystems, undeveloped Douglas fir forest landscapes and a diverse marine zone. Species such as Bald eagles, great blue herons, harbour seals and American oystercatchers can be spotted here, along with a number of intertidal creatures. Underwater enthusiasts can dive from the shores of the park, or head out to Rogers Reef by boat and still stay out of the strong currents that run through Gabriola Passage.
Facilities at this day-use only park include a grassy field, pit toilets, picnic tables, hiking trails and an information shelter.
Advisories
Safety info
- This park contains a plant called Giant Hogweed. Touching any part of this plant, followed by exposure to sunlight produces painful blisters or burns up to 48 hours after contact. Contact with eyes can cause temporary or permanent blindness. If you do come in contact with the plant, you are advised to wash the affected areas immediately, keep them out of direct sunlight and seek medical advice.
- Giant Hogweed is originally from Asia and was introduced as a garden ornamental plant. It grows to five to seven metres (15 to 20 feet) and a width of one and a half metres (five feet). The thick, hollow stems have reddish-purple spots and bristles. The large leaves are similar to shape to maple leaves, with hairs on the undersurface.
- Visitors should use caution when swimming in the ocean at this park, as riptides and currents can be dangerous.
Special notes
- Interpretive signage is located at the information shelter in the day-use areas. This signage was donated by the Heartland Conservancy Group and the Gabriola Theatre Club, and offers information about the Garry Oak ecosystem and marine life in the park.
Facilities
Accessibility information is available for this park.
Drumbeg Park has a day-use and picnic area with picnic tables, pit toilets, view benches, an information shelter and a parking lot.
Activities
Drumbeg Park contains approximately 2km of easy, well-maintained walking and hiking trails. Visitors can meander along the shoreline and through Garry oaks and open meadows. These trails are accessible from the day-use area.
There is no designated swimming area at this park. Visitors should use caution when swimming in the ocean at this park, as riptides and currents can be dangerous.
There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.
This park is near popular salmon fishing areas in the Strait of Georgia.
Rockfish Conservation Areas occur within this park. Fishing activities are limited in Rockfish Conservation Areas. Before you go fishing please refer to the Rockfish Conservation Area descriptions available from Fisheries and Oceans Canada DFO.
Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement.
Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Drumbeg Park. E-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized use is permitted. The only exception to this policy will be for authorized and identified trail maintenance bikes conducting work on behalf of BC Parks.
Drumbeg Park is located at the south end of Gabriola Island, in the Gulf Islands off southern Vancouver Island. Access to Gabriola is via BC Ferries from Nanaimo, a 20 minute ferry ride. From the ferry terminal on Gabriola, take South Road to Stalker Road and follow signs to the park. Drumbeg Park is also accessible by boat, with very limited anchorage. The park is situated in the middle of a very busy passage. Boaters can reference marine chart #3475 for more information on this area.
Park and activity maps
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: July 26, 1971
- Size: 56 hectares (21 ha upland and 35 ha foreshore)
Park contact
This park proudly operated by:
R.L.C. Enterprize Ltd.
250 474-1336
office@rlcparks.ca
www.rlcparks.ca
Nature and culture
History and Cultural Heritage
An extensive First Nations midden runs along the shoreline, evidence of past use by the Snuneymuxw and Lyakson First Nations. The park, established in 1971, is named for the Scottish home of the land’s former owner, Neil Stalker.
Conservation
Drumbeg Park protects Garry oak ecosystems, undeveloped Douglas fir forest landscapes and a diverse marine environment. Species such as Bald eagles, Great Blue Herons, harbour seals and American oystercatchers can be found along the shoreline. The parks foreshore protects salt water marine values in fast moving Gabriola Passage (Rock fish rearing, extensive eel grass, over 230 species of algae, sponges, mollusks, sea starts, crustaceans, worms, fish and marine mammals). Garry oak ecosystems are among the most endangered in Canada and only occur on southeastern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.
Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples
BC Parks honours Indigenous Peoples’ connection to the land and respects the importance of their diverse teachings, traditions, and practices within these territories. This park webpage may not adequately represent the full history of this park and the connection of Indigenous Peoples to this land. We are working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to update our websites so that they better reflect the history and cultures of these special places.