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Sidney Island
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Sidney Island is at the southern end of the Gulf Islands archipelago, less than 20 kilometers north of Victoria, Sidney Island offers easy access, yet preserves a pristine private forest surrounded by beaches and a rich marine environment.
The island is 2200 acres in size. At the north end, a lagoon and long sand spit occupy the 440 acres of Sidney Spit Marine Park. The remaining 1760 acres is privately owned.
Sidney Island is the prettiest of the Gulf Islands. Every part of the island offers breathtaking views. To the south is the snow capped Olympic Range; to the east, the perfect cone of Mount Baker and the Cascade Mountains. Many Kayakers consider the Georgia Strait as the finest kayaking waters on the South Coast.
Wildlife is very abundant both on the island and in surrounding waters. The wild island forest has two species of deer and the odd raccoon and mink. Wetlands provide habitat for large numbers of water fowl. there are many raptures and forest birds here and the shore line is filled with soaring seabirds. From the shore, it is common to see seals and sea-lions basking on the rocks and whales and otters in the off the shore waters that also offer excellent salmon, halibut, cod & crab fishing.
Sidney Island, known to aboriginal people as Sallas Island, was one of the earliest places settled on Canada's Pacific Coast. In 1858 it was on the route from Fort Victoria to the Fraser River gold rush.
Last Next Return To The Outer Islands