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Denman
Island
Denman Island is located about 29 km (18 miles) south-east of Courtenay
and 47 km (29 miles) north-east of Qualicum
Beach.
Strait
of Georgia
Denman Island is situated in between Baynes Sound and Lambert Channel
in the Strait of Georgia. The island is approximately 5 km (3 miles)
wide and around 19 km (12 miles) long. The population is around
1,100 inhabitants (2008) full-time residents with the population
rising quite substantially and even doubling during the summer months.
Buckley
Bay
To get to Denman Island you have to take a BC Ferries scheduled
sailing from Buckley Bay on the east side of Vancouver Island. The
ferry terminal at Buckley Bay is located on Hwy 19A just north of
Fanny Bay and just
south of Union Bay on Baynes Sound. The ferry crossing takes around
10 minutes to cross the distance of 1.2 nautical miles.
Diverse
Geography
The Denman Island geography is very diverse and unique. You can
find on the island lots to do, from taking pictures of picturesque
farms, exploring and beachcombing the craggy and rocky beaches,
experiencing beautiful panoramic oceanfront views, and enjoying
the hiking trails found near some very lush and green forests.
'Downtown'
Denman
For supplies or information hub concerning the island go to the
'Downtown' area situated on North West Road just minutes from Denman
West Ferry Terminal. Situated in the Denman Village are Down to
Earth - Gallery and Gifts which main feature is the diverse ceramics
display, artisans, bakery, meeting areas for people - Denman Island
Art Centre, St. Savior's Anglican Church and
the Denman Island General Store & Café.
Denman
Island General Store & Café
Denman Island General Store & Café whose building dates
back to 1908, has everything that you need including a liquor outlet,
the famous Café on the Rock, Post Office, grocery store,
gasoline and propane. The store seems to serve as the main communication
link for the island.
Concerts
Denman
If you enjoy the art and music scene found along the BC Coast, you
will love Denman Island. Concerts Denman brings together a series
of all the talented local music, dance and theatre for a weekend
of innovated West Coast entertainment.
Denman
Island Events
Other events on Denman include the Denman Island Readers' and Writers'
Festival held in mid-July and the Denman Island Pottery Tour that
falls on the May Queen Victoria Day long weekend and the Denman
Island Home & Garden Tour held every two years.
Waterfront
Parks
There are two small ecologically sound lakes on Denman Island -
Chickadee Lake in the north and Graham Lake in the south. For recreation,
the three provincial parks that are on the ocean waterfront are
well worth seeing and provide a rare glance of the ocean ecosystem
discovered on Denman.
Boyle
Point Provincial Park
One is Boyle
Point Provincial Park where there are incredible viewpoints
of the Chrome Island Lighthouse and Baynes Sound. Located on the
south point of the island the wildlife watching and trails along
the south side of cliff areas are incredible. Just remember though,
the trails can be slippery and dangerous.
Jáji7em
and Kw’ulh Marine Park
The other is Sandy Island Marine Provincial Park now called by the
First Nation name of Jáji7em and Kw’ulh Marine Park,
you normally access the island by boat from Comox. If you're lucky,
you can access Sandy Island and the nearby Seal Islets on very low
tides from Denman Island. Take note though you are required to check
the tide tables when exploring the shoreline otherwise you could
be stranded along the shores on high tides.
Hornby
Island
For more ocean waterfront exploring Denman Island is also the link
to another Gulf Island called Hornby
Island. Situated just north of Boyle Point Provincial Park is
Gravelly Bay; this is where you catch the BC Ferries scheduled 10-minute
sailing to Shingle Spit on Hornby Island. Hornby Island is famous
for beautiful sandy beaches, great mountain biking and a laid-back
lifestyle making life trouble-free.
RV
Camping
If you would like to tent or stay in an RV next to the beach on
Denman Island, camping can be found at Fillongley
Provincial Park. Unfortunately, the park only has ten vehicle-
accessible campsites and, due to popularity fills up fast; however,
they do have five campsites available for reservations, but you
have to reserve as early as possible. A great feature of Fillongley
Provincial Park is that it offers both great kayaking or canoeing
opportunities.
Information
on Denman Island
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