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Thetis
Island
Thetis Island is east of Chemainus
across Stuart Channel by about four nautical miles and is located
next to Penelakut Island.
Mediterranean
Climate
Thetis Island sits in a rain shadow that forms across the Strait
of Georgia and gets very little precipitation with lots of sunshine
creating a unique eco-system, sometimes described as Mediterranean.
The island at one time was joined to Penelakut Island but was dredged
in the early 1990's and a short canal was created.
BC
Ferries Scheduled Sailing
To get to Thetis Island, there is a scheduled BC Ferries that operates
the tri-sailing route between Chemainus, Thetis Island and the ferry
terminal at Telegraph Harbour on Penelakut Island. The sailing time
from Chemainus aboard M.V. Kuper to Thetis Island is about
25 minutes.
Telegraph
Harbour and Thetis Island Marinas
Thetis Island is a small island with very little commercial development
except for two marinas named Telegraph Harbour Marina and Thetis
Island Marina. Both marinas have small stores, slips available for
moorage and both offer waterfront pubs with sunny decks with cafés
serving refreshments. Thetis Island Marina is where you will find
the post office on the island.
Thetis
Island Facilities
Besides the marinas, other facilities on Thetis Island, include
a kindergarten to grade six school and a small community centre.
There is no public camping on the island but there are a number
of Bed & Breakfasts operating in the local countryside. The
island has also put together a well-run volunteer fire department.
Capernwray
Harbour Bible Centre
Thetis Island is also a centre for religious studies with various
camps set up all over the island. As the M.V. Kuper ferry
arrives at Preedy Harbour, a stately waterfront facility next to
the terminal is the Capernwray Harbour Bible Centre. This beautiful
estate houses a 'getaway' for religious conferences and studies
for people from all over the world.
Religious
Retreats
Other religious retreats include Pioneer Pacific Camp, a a facility
with 76 oceanfront acres and was established in 1955 by the Inter-Varsity
Christian Fellowship. Unfortunately Camp Columbia which practises
the Anglican faith had to shut down
Public
Beaches
There are no designated waterfront parks on Thetis Island with most
access to the shoreline areas held in private hands. You can find,
though, a few non-advertised trails to the shoreline and from there
you can walk along the mostly rocky beach.
'The
Cut'
One good area is near the Telegraph Harbour Marina and is called
'The Cut,' which is the dividing point to Penelakut Island. During
low tide, you can discover some interesting wildlife and tidal flats
along the waters' edge between Thetis and Penelakut Islands. Take
the small gravel path just south of the pub to where there is a
small trail to the waters' edge.
Pilkey
Point Road
Another area worth exploring is at the very north end of Pilkey
Point where there is a good view of the rocky shoreline and of Valdes
Island. Follow the signs leaving the ferry terminal on Pilkey Point
Road to the very end. At Pilkey Point, there is access onto the
rocky shoreline with beautiful views towards all the way from Ladysmith
to the west coast of Valdes Island.
Kuper
Island
Unfortunately, there are warning signs from the Penelakut First
Nation about crossing over to Penelakut Island at low tide. Penelakut
Island is home to Penelakut First Nation Reserve No. 7 and prior
permission must be granted before entering these lands. The incredible
sandy beach called Penelakut Spit sits off the south coast and provides
some excellent boating of all types.
Norway
Island
Other exploring opportunities include the end of Clam Bay Road to
the south-west coast of Thetis Island. Here there is a 29-acre private
island boasting the ultimate luxury retreat in the area. Norway
Island has three homes on it - one at 4,500 square feet, orchards,
200 feet of protected dock, tennis courts, caretakers and a swimming
pool. Norway Island can be viewed from the beach area near here.
Summer
Market
There is a summer market that you can visit on Thetis Island that
takes place every Sunday from ten in the morning until noon. Local
products include wooden crafts, artistic carvings, homemade jams
and jellies, bread, pottery and a wide selection of knitted handicrafts.
The Summer Market occurs under the covered pavilion situated at
the Telegraph Harbour Marina.
Pot
of Gold Coffee Roasting Company
If you enjoy a good coffee try sampling the beautiful blends produced
by the local Pot of Gold Coffee Roasting Company. Sent all over
Vancouver Island, the fresh-roasted coffee can be found at the Telegraph
Harbour Marina.
Thetis
Island Vineyards
Wine lovers should try to visit and enjoy the winery tour sample
where there is a wine produced at a small facility called Thetis
Island Vineyards.
Cedar
Beach Scuba Diving
For people who enjoy having a guided scuba dive, the Cedar Beach
is located off Clam Bay Road. Cedar Beach offers diving adventures
anywhere around Thetis Island and operates a Bed & Breakfast
facility.
Information
on Thetis Island
Bed
and Breakfast
Floatplanes
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