Sidney Island

Aerial view of Sidney Island

About Sidney Island

Unique in British Columbia, perhaps the world, Sidney Island offers the rare combination of ownership of superb waterfront property with a model of sustainable forestry, limited development of common areas, precious conservation zones and miles of sand beaches. It is blessed with a Mediterranean-like climate, warm summers, mild winters and less than 30 inches annual rainfall. Not only is it one of the most picturesque, but the last major undeveloped island in the Gulf Islands chain. From every part of the Island there are breathtaking views. To the south the perennial snow-covered Olympic Range, to the east the perfect cone of Mt. Baker and the jagged peaks of the Cascades.

The private lands of Sidney Island total approximately 1,760 acres which includes 111 bare land strata lots totaling about 300 acres. Ownership includes the strata lot and a proportionate interest in the common property of the Strata Corporation which totals about 1,460 acres, the common facilities and other assets of the Strata Corporation. The result is an amazing diversity of properties with low, medium and high bank oceanfront, virtually every possible exposure, varied topography, beautiful views, and differing levels of privacy and a range of prices that delivers the best oceanfront values in BC. The most brilliant aspect of the development is that there is no public access to the lands owned by the Strata Corporation, it remains private and the natural integrity of the island environment has been protected for those who share in its ownership.

Island Life

Life on Sidney Island is never boring; the trick is to find the time to take advantage of all it has to offer. In the heart of the Gulf Islands one of BC’s most popular ocean cruising playgrounds your choices include fishing for salmon, halibut, set traps for crabs and prawns, kayak, swim or go for a cruise.

On shore, bike or hike the many kilometers of maintained roads and hiking trails throughout the islands, walk the amazing beaches or hike the precious conservancy areas. You’ll have year-round access to Canada’s newest National Park Reserve, Sidney Spit National Park Reserve. Its tidal flats and salt marshes teem with birds and marine life, attracting large numbers of birds during spring and fall migrations. Significant links to First Nations settlement, as well as remnants of early European settlement and development remain and can be seen in the Park.

Sidney Island is your home base to cruise and explore the treasures the Canadian Gulf Islands and US San Juan Islands have to offer. And if you’re ready for some more cosmopolitan offerings, upscale shopping, fine dining, and all services are available a short boat ride away in either Sidney or Victoria, the capital of British Columbia.

Remembering our Past

Sidney Island, originally known as Sallas Island, was one of the earliest places settled on Canada's Pacific Coast. It was on the route from Fort Victoria to the Fraser River gold rush in 1858. In 1859 the Hudson Bay Company began offering land for sale on the island, to make it appear more civilized and attractive to buyers they changed its name to Sidney Island. (Early marketing strategy.)

From 1906 to 1915 the Sidney Tile and Brick Company utilizing the island's fine clay, operated in the area now within the marine park. Broken red bricks can still be found along the shoreline and underbrush.

In 1910, a group of Victoria businessmen purchased Sidney Island as a hunting preserve, though vegetable farming and raising sheep continued for some decades. Some of the huge old growth Douglas fir timber was logged during the two World Wars, and in its place vigorous stands of second growth have flourished.

In 1981 the northern sector of the island became the Sidney Spit Marine Park. In 2003 this area was named as Canada’s newest National Park Reserve. This area comprises about 400 acres and encloses a broad lagoon of sheltered water bordered by a long spit of sand. Mooring buoys, a small government dock, and facilities for picnicking and camping are provided. The sandy beach with protected waters is excellent for swimming.

In 1981 the remainder of the island was purchased by Sallas Forest Limited Partnership led by well known BC Resource Economist Peter Pearse. The acreages that were sold to an eager group of real estate investors and families have provided the seed of a legacy that will now be handed down to generations of the families that are the owners of the strata lots on Sidney Island.

Location

Sidney Island is at the southern end of the Gulf Islands between Vancouver Island and mainland British Columbia. It is about 19 km north of Victoria, 6 km south east of Sidney on the Saanich Peninsula and 10 km from Roche Harbour on US San Juan Island.

National Park Reserve

The only land on the island not owned by the Strata Corporation and its owners is the Sidney Spit Marine Park, recently named as the Sidney Spit National Park Reserve it is Canada’s newest National Park. The park area comprises about 400 acres at the north end of the island and encloses a broad lagoon of sheltered water bordered by a long spit of sand. The park is a super popular marine destination with mooring buoys, a small government dock, and facilities for picnicking, camping and a gorgeous sandy beach.

Like Living in a Park

It is amazing when you think about it as living in your own Stanley Park, which is a mere 1,001 acres. Imagine owning property on an island amazing enough to be a National Park. On Sidney Island we are blessed with 1,363 acres of common property with wonderful hiking trails, beaches, ponds and wildlife. It is difficult to estimate the impact this will have on future property values but we believe it will be significant.

Benefits of Shared Ownership

Yes, it is nice to have a totally private island or oceanfront property but it is a true benefit when you need to make improvements to roads and docks or whatever to divide the cost by 111. Not to mention the great friendships and social aspects of sharing such a place with like-minded people.

Off the Grid

There is no power on Sidney Island, and we can say without reservation that this has been a positive rather than a negative with the people that have purchased on Sidney Island. The idea of generating your own power and not being beholden to the power company is attractive to people. Propane is delivered to the island throughout the year and owners are notified of delivery times. Propane powers many of the appliances and back-up generators, most owners have solar systems as a primary source of power.

Roads and Vehicles

There is an excellent network of roads which are well maintained with equipment owned by the Strata Corporation and we are fortunate to have a good supply of gravel that was crushed with maintain the roads. The roads provide good access to every lot and there is a parking lot near the dock for 90 vehicles. Vehicles are brought over on barges and unloaded at the barge ramp in Miners Bay.

Dock in Miners Bay

In 2017, after about 8 years in obtaining approvals, the construction of the rock breakwater in Miners Bay was a game changer for Sidney Island ensuring owners have safe secure year-round moorage. The dock was then expanded to a total of 67 slips with 26 reserved slips, 41 shared slips. 3 mooring buoys, kayak launch, caretaker slip and an unloading/ambulance dock.

The Owners

The owners of Sidney Island are a remarkable, eclectic group of fascinating people from all walks of life and all parts of the globe. The people you meet are interesting and seem to have a cosmic connection notwithstanding their varied backgrounds.

Gravel and Equipment

There is a good supply of gravel, crushed from rock left over after the breakwater construction, for maintaining roads and for sale to owners for driveways and during construction of their homes and cottages. The Strata Corporation owns equipment for road and island maintenance which is available for hire by the owners on an hourly basis.

Heritage Orchard

The orchard, managed by a dedicated and enthusiastic committee for the use and enjoyment of all the owners on the island, provides a variety of delicious apples for the owners.

Trails

The extensive network of kilometers of hiking trails throughout the island wind along beaches, across conservancies, through mature forests and over rocky bluffs are built and maintained by the trail committee. It is a picnickers dream to hike and take a lunch on Sidney Island.

Airstrip

The 2,700-foot grass airstrip managed by a volunteer committee is an excellent and important asset to the island we have seen as many as seven aircraft on the ramp at one time.

Strata Fees

One of the amazing features of Sidney Island is the strata fees are only $253.58 per month (2022) which in our opinion is extremely good value.

Caretaker

The island has an excellent full time resident manager responsible for maintenance and security throughout the island which is a huge benefit to the owners. The Strata Corporation built a very nice cottage for the manager’s residence strategically located so he can keep an eye on the dock.

Medical

There is a well-equipped ambulance and volunteers trained in first response. The island is equipped for night and day helicopter evacuation in emergencies.

Fire Protection

The island has a volunteer fire department with fire and tanker trucks for quick response to fires and fire training is provided for owners by the dedicated fire committee members.

Barge Ramp

In addition to the dock and airstrip for personal access there is a barge ramp on the island. Service is provided by 2 companies in Sidney for the delivery vehicles, building materials, propane or whatever you need.

Vegetation

The Island supports exceptionally lush and varied vegetation common to the south coastal climatic zone including Douglas fir, white fir, Garry oak, mock cherry, arbutus, red cedar, red alder, balsam, hemlock, aspen, yew, big leaf maple and flowering dogwood. Smaller vegetation includes Scotch broom, fireweed, gorse, wild roses, western fescue, orchard grass, salal, hawthorn and a 50-tree orchard on the common land.

Offshore

The waters support a wide variety of sea life including salmon, halibut, bottom fish, crabs and prawns and an array of sea birds and waterfowl, seals, sea lions, and whales.

Wildlife

With its wonderful natural habitat few places have as rich a variety of wildlife as Sidney Island, which includes: