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Savary
Island
Savary Island is located west of Lund just
across the south end of Manson Passage. Savary Island is about 8
km (5 miles) long and averages around .8 km (.5 mile) wide.
Travelling
Here
If you want to travel to Savary Island, you have to take either
the water taxi from Lund, a floatplane or some other kind of a boat
as the once open airstrip is now decommissioned .
Lund
Water Taxi
Lund
Water Taxi is the easiest way to go as it leaves the Lund public
dock, located next to the historic Lund Hotel every day on a regular,
year-round schedule. The operators are very friendly,full of good
advice, safe and on schedule.
Summer
Season
Lund Water Taxi also offers lots of extra sailings during the summer
season starting July 1st right into the first few weeks of September.
The water taxi ride to Savary Island government dock generally takes
around 10-15 minutes depending upon weather and sea conditions.
The water taxi normally leaves Lund on the hour and returns from
Savary Island on the half-hour.
Real
Estate Potential
As early as the 1900's, the real estate potential by speculators
of Savary Island was at work. The island, although not very developed
today, was completely sectioned off and tracked with 50-foot wide
lots, of which many are still available. With this many lots there
are trails and surveyed roads that crisscross Savary Island so it
is really easy to check it out.
Vancouver
Blvd.
For travelling the main route you want to take Vancouver Blvd. which
takes a east-west direction across the island. There are privately
owned vehicles on the island but no buses or taxi service.
Cycle
the Island
A good way to commute for a very small fee is to bring you're cycle
across on the water taxi. The island is full of fairly smooth roads
to ride on. You can also rent bikes on Savary Island at Rigger's
Pub Style Restaurant which is located up the hill from the government
dock on Vancouver Blvd. Just remember there will be the odd large
truck that you will encounter when cycling.
'Hawaii
of the North'
Dubbed 'Hawaii of the North,'Savary Island has some of British Columbia's
best beaches. Except for a small area on the south-east end at Green's
(Mace) Point, Savary Island is completely encompassed with beach.
Distinct
Emerald Colour
The beaches are generally very shallow with the water being a very
distinct emerald colour against the sandy bottom. There are several
private sections where shelters of driftwood have been erected providing
protection from the sun and possible tenting sites.
Beach
Access Points
To access most of the beaches you'll have to venture on some steep
hills down fairly sharp sand banks. Most have stairways that have
utilized the local driftwood for building materials. The access
points are sometimes hard to find with most of the land being subdivided
into private ownership and signs not present.
South
Beach
One favourite and, some argue, the best beach is South Beach. This
beach has a southern exposure facing Harwood Island and the First
Nations settlement of Sliammon. There are a couple of roads and
a steep trail that you have to take from the government dock to
South Beach.
Getting
to South Beach
To get to South Beach turn east from the government dock onto Malaspina
Promenade. Turn onto Townley Walk and travel to the end of the road
up a sharp hill. Look for the beach trail sign, leave you're bike
at the top its easier, then walk down the steep trail to South Beach.
The trip will take around 20 minutes to walk or a 10 minute bike
ride to the top of the steep trail.
Good
Signs Erected
Most of the roads are labeled with good signs erected so it is not
become lost. If you would travel up to the north of island catch
the early water-taxi and most of the island can be scene in a day
Ancient
Dunes
There is a small section of land in the middle of Savary Island
that has been protected from development called the Ancient Dunes.
Held in trust by the Nature Trust of British Columbia, the Ancient
Dunes area is 147 hectares (363 acres) in size. What you'll find
at the Ancient Dunes is Western Canada's largest example of coastal
forested dunes.
Savary
Island Land Trust Society
With the potential for people arriving and building recreational
homes, many concerns have been raised about future environmental
damage. To help monitor and develop policies for Savary Island,
the Savary Island Land Trust Society has been set up. Several areas
along the beach have been identified as environmentally sensitive
so please be careful to stay on the trails.
Savary
Island Businesses
Generally, during the colder months of the year, Savary Island is
pretty slow with not too many businesses open. But, once the weather
warms up, you will find a few more shops and people open for business.
Look for the local entrepreneurs found throughout the island. There
is Savary Island General Store found next to Rigger's and a small
bike repair kiosk.
Savary
Island Contradiction
When you visit Savary Island you will notice one major contradiction
especially on an island which is not connected to the BC Hydro electrical
grid. Some people tend to live here year-round salvaging a living
by building driftwood houses and living on a meager lifestyle full
time. Then there are the other people who have built huge homes
with all the newest off grid electrical equipment available but
only visit for a short time.
Busy
in the Summer
Expect to see more people during the summer season as Savary Island
really livens up. A good word of advice is check for availability
and reserve a spot on the Lund Water Taxi.
Barge
Service
To get 4X4's, small SUV's, motorcycles, quads, trucks, boats and
equipment over to Savary Island you can also arrange for barge service
from Lund Water Taxi. Generally though, you can either mountain
bike or walk on the gravel roads or path streets found throughout
the island.
Local
Expert
By far one of the best experts on Savary Island has to be Rick Thaddeus.
Rick is one of the locals who happen to be one of many real estate
agents dealing on Savary Island's properties. Besides helping people
buy a piece of this paradise, Rick probably has the most information
on Savary Island including maps on his Savary Island web site.
Heider
Hennig
Unfortunately a couple of long standing businesses had to close
down in 2008, 'At the Mint' and 'Savary Island Plazza.' With the
passing of owner Heider Hennig a long time fixture of Savary Island
a lot will be lost including his coffee shop, free map and all the
good information about the history and areas to visit on Savary
Island.
Information
on Savary Island
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