It is about 17,049 acres (6,899 hectares) in size and is located about 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) north of the Horseshoe Bay community and ferry terminal in westernmost West Vancouver.
There are around 150 long-term residents on Gambier, but the population swells to more than 800 in the summertime due to the island's recreational properties.
The main wharf and settlement area is called New Brighton, on the west side of the island.
Barging companies provide service from Gibsons and Horseshoe Bay for transport of large items.
[4] The island was named by Captain Richards in 1860 for James Gambier, Admiral of the Fleet who had a distinguished career in the British navy,[5] was a Governor of Newfoundland and served as a negotiator of the Treaty of Ghent ending The War of 1812 between Britain and the United States.