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About Denman Island

Denman Island, British Columbia is a beautiful place to vacation, with its diverse natural environments, abundance of wildlife, and numerous events and activities to keep visitors young and old entertained.

Denman Island To those fortunate enough to live here however, Denman Island represents a serene sanctuary in this otherwise fast-paced and increasingly impersonal world. As one of the few remaining "undiscovered" Gulf Islands of B.C., Denman's appeal is obvious: the incredible ecosystems and wildlife, a proximity to urban centres and amenities, a talented, artistic community and one of the mildest climates in Canada, all contribute to the compelling nature of Denman Island and its real estate market.

The "Undiscovered" Gulf Island

Getting to Denman Island
BC Ferries provides 17 runs a day between Denman and Buckley Bay and between Denman and Hornby Islands. The ferry crossings are 10-12 minutes, but there can be lengthy line-ups in the summer, especially on long weekends. More info: ferry schedules, fares. The closest city to Denman is Courtenay, located 23 km north of the Buckley Bay ferry landing. The city bus travels between Buckley Bay and Courtenay three times a day, morning, afternoon, and early evening. 80 km to the South is the port city of Nanaimo, B.C. Bus service from Buckley Bay (and Courtenay) to Nanaimo is available through Island Coach Lines. For a more scenic trip, you can also take the train from Buckley Bay. Please note: There is no public transportation available on Denman.

Denman Island is one of British Columbia's Gulf Islands, located in the Northwest corner of the Georgia Strait, approximately 1 hour north of Nanaimo, B.C. The Gulf Islands have long been heralded as one of the most beautiful locations in the whole world. Some of the more well-known Gulf Islands, such as Salt Spring, Gabriola and Hornby Islands, saw their tourist and resident numbers rise dramatically in the 1970s. Despite the fact that most tourists must cross Denman to reach neighbouring Hornby Island, Denman has for the most part escaped the high number of summer visitors. This "undiscovered" status has resulted in a low traffic, quiet, rural island where beautiful real estate is plentiful and reasonably priced.

The "Natural Choice"

If you ask 10 people why they originally came to Denman Island (whether to visit or live), you’ll get 10 very different answers. However, it is doubtful that you could find anyone who would deny that the beauty of Denman’s diverse ecosystems and wildlife plays a large part in the island’s magnetism.

Fillongley Provincial Park, Denman Island Denman’s three Provincial Parks—Fillongley (pictured at left), Boyle Point, and Sandy Island—each provide a living snapshot of the wide array of plant and animal life here. Fillongley is best known for its long beach, walking trails amidst huge Douglas Firs, and the popular camping area. Located at the South tip of the island is Boyle Point, where eagle watching is at its best. A beautiful hiking trail in the park concludes with an impressive view of Denman’s rugged coast and the Chrome Island lighthouse. The least accessible of Denman’s parklands is the unique Sandy Island P.P., home to a prolific population of birds, butterflies and wildflowers. Particularly popular with kayakers, Sandy Island is only reachable by foot at low tide.

The Islands Trust
The governmental administration of Denman Island is divided between the Islands Trust (land use and planning) and the Regional District of Comox-Strathcona (financial). The Islands Trust maintains a mandate designed to preserve and protect the islands by balancing development pressures with bylaws that attempt to safeguard the fragile island ecosystems and our island lifestyle. Denman Island Trustees established an Advisory Planning Committee back in the ‘70s whose primary task was to draft Denman Island's first Official Community Plan (OCP). The Plan became law in 1978.

At any of these three parks, and indeed just about anywhere on the island, you can observe a myriad of different wild animals, including: the majestic bald eagle, the increasingly rare great blue heron, regal hawks and ospreys, colourful pheasants, an incredible population of deer (get that fencing up around the garden!) and sea lions, playful otters, hard-working beavers and an abundance of seals.

In addition, you can walk the beautiful beaches of Denman to your heart's content, and enjoy the warm water and fishing at Graham Lake and Chickadee Lake.

With the well-maintained park system and such an abundance of wildlife and outdoor spaces, it is no wonder that Denman Island is the "natural choice" for those interested in buying beautiful B.C. real estate.

The Best of Both Worlds

While it’s true that Denman Island is rural and "undiscovered", this should not lead to the assumption that the island is isolated and removed from common amenities. In fact, Denman enjoys the best of both worlds: it is a beautiful rural community with a proximity to larger cities and the services we have all grown accustomed to. This ideal positioning continues to provide appeal to those looking to buy property on Denman.

View of Denman Island from the summit of Mt. Washington Denman Island is situated about 2.5 hours north of British Columbia’s charming capital, Victoria (pop. 325,000). This popular metropolis is cultured and sophisticated, though not as large as Vancouver. An hour south of the Buckley Bay ferry landing is Nanaimo (pop. 80,000), a bustling, medium-sized city made famous by the delicious 3-layered desert known as Nanaimo Bars. The closest centres to Denman Island are the twin cities of Courtenay (pop. 35,000) and Comox (pop. 12,000), located just 23 km North of Buckley Bay. Here, you can find just about anything you need in terms of services and shopping. In addition, the Comox Valley region is an incredible vacation destination, with downhill skiing and snowboarding at Mt. Washington (pictured above), and some of B.C.'s best cross-country skiing, golf, equestrian facilities, marinas and world-class resorts.

With all the peace and quiet on Denman, it is sometimes hard to remember that just across the water on Vancouver Island, you can find all the conveniences of the city.

Where Everybody Knows Your Name

Denman's peaceful beauty and the incredible amount of space and privacy on the island have always served as incentives to relocate here. Our small population of about 1000 year-round residents continues to attract those who would like to escape the overcrowded cities for a more serene existence. As a result, Denman has a thriving population of artists who enrich our community endlessly and have earned Denman Island a reputation the world over for high quality arts and crafts. The diverse population of independent thinkers has a nice age dispersion, ranging from young families just starting out to active seniors with much experience to pass along.

Annual Art Events on Denman Island
Pottery Tour: Held over the long weekend in May of each year since ’87, the Pottery Tour showcases the island’s top ceramic artists. Blackberry Faire: Join us on the first Sunday of September to celebrate the bounty of the harvest and pour over a wide array of local arts & crafts. Christmas Craft Faire: This very popular annual event requires TWO halls to showcase Denman’s artists!

Denman Island is certainly a community where "everybody knows your name", and where neighbourly values are upheld to the highest degree. Because of this, Denman has a very low crime rate, despite the fact that there is no police force on the island. Denman Island doesn't just feel safe—it is safe, and this, along with all the other benefits of living in a small community, continues to attract real estate buyers to Denman.

Mild, Magical Denman

Unlike most of Canada, Denman Island maintains a temperate climate throughout the changing seasons, making it an ideal place to relocate to for avid gardeners or for those who simply wish to escape the cold and/or humid conditions that prevail in most parts of the country.

Simply put, summers on Denman are glorious! The warm temperatures (reaching the mid to high 20s C, or 70s F) and sunny skies are perfect for long days on the beach and ripening those juicy tomatoes.

In late October, the mercury dips and the clouds roll in. The fall and winter months provide the rainfall needed for our mighty forests. (View South Western British Columbia average annual precipitation map. Map provided by Environment Canada - Pacific and Yukon Region.)

Thankfully, winter temperatures remain mild, and snow is not common.

The mild climate of Denman has permitted over 120 years of bountiful farming and year-round gardening, and continues to beckon new residents with its warm temperatures. (For gardeners, Denman Island is in Zone 8.)

Denman Island's unique charm continues to enchant visitors and compels many an unsuspecting tourist to buy real estate here. With its incredible plant and animal life, proximity to urban centres and services, closely-knit, artistic community and with one of the mildest climates in Canada, it's no wonder that many succumb to the enchantment of Denman Island. There is currently more than 4000 acres for sale on Denman—the time is right to invest in your own piece of paradise!