Denman Island is easy to access from Vancouver Island
Denman Island is located 1 hour north of Nanaimo, BC, and 2.5 hours north of beautiful Victoria. The twin cities of Courtenay and Comox are just 25 km north of Denman and provide all the amenities of an urban centre wrapped up in a popular tourist destination. This proximity to larger cities offers Denman's residents all the goods and services one is accustomed to, while still enabling a rural lifestyle.
A Gardener's Delight
Denman Island has a unique West Coast rain forest ecosystem and maintains a temperate climate through the changing seasons. Denman Island boasts some of the most fertile land in the region and avid gardeners can plant and harvest year-round.
An Outdoor Adventure Playground
Featuring sandy beaches, rocky coves, lush forests and open, rolling pastures, Denman Island provides ample opportunity for outdoor adventure. There are two Provincial Parks with plenty of hiking trails and beachfront suitable for swimming, kayaking or fishing.
Boyle Point Provincial Park, located at the southern tip of Denman Island is an excellent place for hiking and eagle watching. During the spring herring run, one can observe literally hundreds of bald eagles fishing for a meal. Occasionally, even golden eagles venture up from the U.S. to take part in the feast. Visible from Boyle Point is the Chrome Island lighthouse. At the right time of year, you can walk over to Chrome Island at low tide and see ancient petroglyphs on the rock faces!
Fillongley Provincial Park is located on the east side of Denman Island and features both peaceful beaches and some of the largest Douglas firs on the island. There are some beautiful walking trails through the trees and camping is also available here, though advance booking is usually required.
For those who enjoy wildlife, Denman Island's prolific population of birds (including eagles, hawks, falcons, herons, and pheasants), deer, otters, mink and beavers will provide endless opportunity for observation and enjoyment (not to mention some challenges—get that deer fencing up around the garden!) When visiting Denman Island, be sure to bring your camera, you'll be surprised by how approachable some of the animals are, providing excellent fodder for photos. Tourists visit Denman Island to experience its unique environment while on vacation, but those who live here can immerse themselves in its natural beauty every day.
A Small Village Full of Activity
Denman Island's small population of about 1200 allows for an incredible amount of space and privacy, something difficult to find in the city. The residents form a strong, varied community and in many ways are self-governing.
There are several community-organized events that take place throughout the year that offer the opportunity to discover the unique character of the island and the broad range of talents possessed by its residents. BC Tourism boasts about the popularity of the early summer Home & Garden Tour, where visitors can explore the unique West Coast architecture and landscaping of some of the island's most beautiful properties. The Christmas Craft Fair, held the first weekend in December, draws thousands of people for original hand-made gifts and food. In May, you can go on the Annual Pottery Tour and visit the studios of some of Canada's best-known potters. September's popular Fall Fair brings the bounty of the harvest season to the field next to the Community Hall.
For more about Denman Island events visit the Community Events Page at DenmanIslandinfo.com
In addition to the above benefits, Denman Island has many more amenities that make it a very desirable place to live, including a new medical clinic located close to the Village. The large Community Hall (100 years old in 2012) is used for concerts, theatre, lectures and dances. Adjacent to the Hall, is the Denman Island Library that is open 6 days a week and staffed by local volunteer bibliophiles. Across the road is the Seniors Hall, which provides facilities for bridge, badminton, and also includes a local museum chronicling the rich history of the region.
The historic Denman Island General Store is located downtown and has gas and propane available, as well as a post office and liquor outlet. The hardware store, RE/MAX The Islands and Abraxas Books are also located in this village area in the Denman Village Square. Around the corner, is the Denman Island Bakery featuring hand-made breads. The Island Time Café features pizzas and other specialties, while further down the road is the Kaffee Klatch Bistro featuring breakfast, lunch, dinner and specialty coffees.
Other stores and services on the island include the cooperative Craft Shop, the Earth Club Factory, several B&B's, and much more! There are also two churches on the island: a United church and an Anglican church, both with weekly services, as well as The Hermitage - a Buddhist Retreat Centre.
For families, there is a co-operative pre-school which is a play based centre, for children from 36 months to 5 years old (with some flexibility on ages, when necessary). The Denman Island Community School teaches children from Kindergarten to Grade 7. Emphasis in the Community School is placed on a natural sciences based curriculum. The small class sizes provide for an excellent learning environment for the children and community involvement is a key factor in their education. In addition, the Community School offers many diverse and interesting courses for adult learning, through the Denman Island Community Education Society (DICES).
Denman Island Information ...
For more information on Denman Island, visit DenmanIslandInfo.com where you will find current business listings, blogs, community information, accommodations links and much more!
Denman Island Real Estate
Whether you seek Denman Island real estate for a family home, farming opportunities or a getaway retreat, we're sure that you will be enchanted by Denman Island's unique island charm. Contact us today at RE/MAX The Islands for more information about available real estate on Denman Island. We look forward to introducing you to our island paradise.
