Reid Island, Lot 10

Watch the ever-changing marine environment from this oceanfront acreage in the southern Gulf Islands, where boats and all sorts of ocean wildlife pass by regularly. Nestled in the trees along the low rock bluff shoreline of Reid Island, this property offers an opportunity to build an idyllic oceanside retreat.

Reid Island is situated in Trincomali Channel, between Thetis Island and Valdes Island. The island is entirely divided into a beautiful array of privately owned acreages. This 3.57 acre property is on the north-eastern shoreline, taking in views to the north across Valdes Island and to the east through Porlier Pass which divides Valdes Island from Galiano Island. The mainland mountains provide a distant backdrop.

Nicely treed with mostly conifers, this property is wedge-shaped, with approx. 487ft of ocean frontage. The current structure sits in a small clearing on a grassy rock bluff just up from the shoreline. This is an off-grid property, and there are no services on Reid Island, however there is good cell reception onsite. A moorage buoy would be possible out front of the property. Access to and from the oceanfront is reasonably easy. This is a beautiful, natural setting.

The current owners started a cabin several years ago that never progressed past the shell stage. What currently exists are the beginnings of an appealing structure on a solid foundation. There is a metal roof and large openings for expansive windows. There are attractive timber frame features and the vaulted ceiling is finished with clear cedar. There is an expansive deck across the front of the home and down the western side. What is in place is substantially constructed.

The property is zoned through the Islands Trust, which governs most of the Gulf Islands. The residential (R2) zoning permits one dwelling per lot, plus additional outbuildings or accessory buildings.

There is a building permit process requirement with the Cowichan Valley Regional District. There were no permits issued for the current building shell, as well as no registration with BC Housing’s warranty program. Both agencies have been contacted and buyers need to be aware that BC Housing will require registration by the new owner with the BC Housing warranty program. A Letter of Acknowledgement from BC Housing will be provided to interested parties.

The current owners have gone to significant expense to get much of the work done to situate a home on the property. Given the current status, this presents a unique opportunity for someone who wishes to follow through on the completion of this project.

The two main access points are Chemainus or Crofton, both of which offer boat launch facilities. Ladysmith, which also offers an excellent boat launch, is the nearest larger service centre on Vancouver Island, with Nanaimo just further north of that. There is no public access on Reid Island, but there is a dedicated roadway access across the northern third of the island, which runs along the southern border of this property. There is also water taxi service from Thetis Island, which itself is serviced by a walk-on ferry from Chemainus.  

The Southern Gulf Islands stretch for 100km between southern Vancouver Island and the mainland of BC’s western coast. There are a dozen large islands interspersed with a multitude of islets. They receive less rain than the rest of coastal BC and are surrounded by sheltered waters. The region is popular for recreation, boating, tourism and coastal island living and is within boating distance of Vancouver.