Sidney Island facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sidney Island
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 Sidney Island
Location in British Columbia
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | British Columbia |
| Area | |
| • Total | 8.66 km2 (3.34 sq mi) |
Sidney Island is a beautiful island in British Columbia, Canada. It is one of the southern Gulf Islands. You can find it between the coast of British Columbia and Vancouver Island. The island is very close to James Island.
Sidney Island is about 77 meters (252 feet) high at its tallest point. It sits just east of the town of Sidney. This town is on the east side of the Saanich Peninsula. Sidney Island is part of the Capital Regional District. Its land records are kept in the Cowichan Land District. In 1859, Captain Richards named the island. He named it after Frederick W. Sidney, who also worked for the Royal Navy.
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Exploring Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
The northern part of Sidney Island is a special place. It is called the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. This area includes a sandy strip of land known as Sidney Spit. It used to be a provincial park called Sidney Spit Marine Park.
How to Get to Sidney Spit
You can reach Sidney Spit by kayak, canoe, or boat. There are 21 places to tie up your boat, called mooring buoys. You can also use the government dock for boat parking. During the summer, a special ferry takes people from the Sidney Pier to Sidney Spit.
Camping and Activities at Sidney Spit
Sidney Spit is famous for its sandy beaches. It is also a great spot for backcountry camping. There are 26 campsites available for hikers. These sites have basic facilities like pit toilets and picnic tables.
You can find potable water at Sidney Spit. However, this water has a lot of salt. It is not good for people with heart or kidney problems. It also tastes very salty and a bit moldy. It is best to bring your own drinking water. Please remember that campfires are not allowed here.
Wildlife on Sidney Spit
Sidney Spit is home to many animals. It is a very important resting place for shorebirds. These birds stop here during their long migrations.
Sidney Island's Private Community
The southern part of Sidney Island is mostly private land. About 80% of the island is organized into a private community. This community has 111 private lots. Each lot is usually between one and three acres in size. Most lots also have 200 to 400 feet of oceanfront.
