Sandy Island

Sandy Island Marine Provincial Park lies just off the northern tip of Denman Island, a short boat ride across the shallow waters of Baynes Sound. At low tide, a long sandspit extends from Denman almost to the island, revealing tidal flats alive with marine life. At high tide, Sandy Island becomes its own world — a quiet, wind-swept park surrounded by clear water, with views stretching across to Hornby Island and the mountains of Vancouver Island beyond.

The Sandspit

Sandy Island's most striking feature is its long sandspit — a curving bar of fine sand and broken shell that shifts with the tides and storms. At low tide, it stretches hundreds of metres, connecting to the smaller Tree Island and creating sheltered lagoon-like pools on the leeward side. These warm, shallow pools are perfect for wading and are home to sand dollars, moon snails, and the occasional Dungeness crab. The sandspit is one of the most beautiful natural features in the Northern Gulf Islands.

The island itself is forested with mature Douglas fir and arbutus, with a canopy that provides shade on hot summer days. Trails loop through the forest and emerge onto rocky beaches on the island's eastern shore, where you can sit and watch boat traffic passing through Baynes Sound. It's the kind of place where you can spend an afternoon without seeing another person.

Wildlife & Marine Life

Bald eagles are a constant presence at Sandy Island, nesting in the tall firs and hunting the tidal flats for fish. Great blue herons stalk the shallows at low tide, and in winter the surrounding waters host large flocks of scoters, buffleheads, and mergansers. The eelgrass beds around the island are important nursery habitat for juvenile salmon and herring — the foundation of the marine food web that makes these waters so productive.

In the tidal pools and on the exposed sand flats, you'll find sea urchins, purple and green sea stars (where they're recovering from wasting disease), and colonies of barnacles and mussels. The clear, shallow water makes Sandy Island an excellent spot for observing intertidal life, especially with children. Bring a bucket and a curious eye — there's always something to discover.

A Perfect Picnic Destination

Sandy Island is one of the best picnic and beach destinations in the region. The sandy beaches on the west side of the island face the afternoon sun and are sheltered from the prevailing southeasterly winds. Pack a lunch, bring a blanket, and settle in for a few hours of beachcombing, swimming (the shallow water warms up nicely in summer), and simply soaking in the quiet. There are no facilities on the island — no washrooms, no picnic tables, no cell service — and that's exactly the point.

Getting There

Sandy Island is accessible by boat or kayak from Denman Island. The crossing from Denman's north end is short but can be tricky in strong tidal currents — a powered boat is the safest and most comfortable option. Captain Pat includes Sandy Island as a stop on many of his sightseeing tours, and it's also available as a water taxi drop-off and pick-up. He'll bring you over in the morning and collect you in the afternoon — your own private island for the day.