Sandy Island Provincial Marine Park – get there if you can!
By Marilyn Guille

Any guide to the area’s attractions would be terribly remiss if it didn’t mention Sandy Island Provincial Marine Park, even though it is only accessible by boat (or a long hike from the end of a gravel road).

Located off the northwestern tip of Denman Island, this ‘Little Hawaii,’ known locally as Tree Island, is 81 acres of pure magic that became a Provincial Marine Park in 1966. Get there if you can: by motorboat, it’s within the hour. It’s a relatively painless paddle from Union Bay - charter operators know the way, or you can ferry to Denman, drive to the end of that gravel road, and hike down to the beach. Just don’t miss it!

Sandy Island at Sunset Photo M. Guille

The Marine Park is actually comprised of 3 small islands surrounded by a white sand spit and white shell beach (ancient native midden). At low water, one can walk back and forth to Denman, and halfway to Comox! You could easily spend a day or two at Tree Island, there is so much to do and see. The water is clean, clear and unbelievably warm for swimming. Tidal pools appear on the outgoing tide, exposing nudibranchs and other marine creatures for viewing. The sandy beach is ideal for sunbathing, and the beachcombing is incredible: moon snails, limpets, periwinkles and sand dollars are plentiful, as well as the usual oyster and clamshells. Bird-watchers can have, literally, a field day!

There are hiking trails, outhouses, picnic tables and several terrific places to pitch a tent and stay awhile. There is no fresh water source on the island, and no open fires allowed, so do come well prepared.

With Sandy Island Marine Park so handy, who needs Hawaii?