South Winchelsea Island

Out & about

By Christina Symons | Image: Christina Symons

A breathtaking retreat for naturalist gardeners just north of Nanaimo.

Can you imagine finding paradise atop a wild, rocky archipelago isle just 10 minutes from Lantzville ( near Nanaimo) on the northeast coast of Vancouver Island? That’s just what we discovered on an early-spring visit to South Winchelsea Island. This incredible, 10-ha (25-acre) ecological reserve and getaway is made possible by The Land Conservancy of BC (TLC).

The island was purchased in 1998, and TLC now makes it available for conservation initiatives and short vacation stays. There’s just one caveat: if you visit, you must agree to respect its highly fragile environment, which includes carpets of moss, wildflowers and native plant species.

Highlights of a trip to South Winchelsea unfold at the dock, framed by bright-pink flowering currant. Next, the phenomenal Garry-oak ecosystem is revealed along with hundreds of natural pocket gardens and sedum beds among the rocks and forest, featuring mosses and lichens and wildflowers such as chocolate lily and buttercup.

Arbutus menziesii

The island is a haven for wild songbirds and if you’re lucky you’ll also arrive to a bellowing welcoming committee – dozens of California and Steller’s sea lions resting and sunning on nearby shores.

The island is only accessible by water taxi, kayak, canoe or other small private vessels, and cottage rental must be arranged in advanced. The accommodations are simple, warm and rustic – and a lesson in sustainable vacationing: lights are operated by solar power and rainwater is collected for showers and toilets (fresh drinking water is provided). Group conservation holidays are also planned throughout the year to assist TLC with ecological projects such as invasive-weed removal. Day visitors are welcome too.

This is a perfect mini-escape for gardeners who are interested in coastal native plants and waterwise and pocket gardening. Be sure to take a field book such as Plants of Coastal BC, compiled and edited by Pojar and MacKinnon, to guide you. If peace and quiet, sea air and coastal flora and fauna are what you’re after, you’ll be in heaven on South Winchelsea Island.