Denny Island & Shearwater

Great Bear Rainforest

Wonderfully remote in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest, Denny Island is located approximately 100 nautical miles north of Port Hardy on Vancouver Island and 76 nautical miles west of Bella Coola. It is a mere 5km/3mi from Bella Bella which is located on neighbouring Campbell Island. Denny Island is accessible by plane or by water and can also be accessed by BC Ferries year-round. There is also a passenger transportation service available between Campbell Island and Denny Island. The Royal Canadian Air Force chose the Shearwater Marine site on Denny Island as a reconnaissance base during World War II. The base was built to accommodate over 2,000 military personnel, although there were never more than 1,000 stationed there at any one time. This vibrant community is now home to about 70 year-round residents. Services available on Denny Island include a grocery store, liquor store, post office, laundromat, public showers, cappuccino bar and art gallery/gift shop, hair salon, marina, shipyard, marine/hardware store, fuel dock, restaurant, pub, campground, RV park, rental cabins, bed and breakfasts, a resort and a hotel. There is also a 70-ton travel lift, a 100-ton haul-out, and a facility for all marine repairs. Denny Island has a 3000´paved landing strip (see also Central Coast Regional District services) and a protected float base. Aviation fuel is available at the Shearwater Marine fuel dock. School District 49 (Central Coast) provides classes from kindergarten to grade 8. As a wilderness destination, the area is home to coastal wolves, grizzly and black bears, eagles and the Kermode “Spirit” bear. Sport fishing is the community’s major asset. Surrounded by calm, protected waters, Shearwater is home to all five species of salmon. The local Chinook salmon top 32kg/70lb, while Coho can reach 9kg/20lb. Abundant local bottom fish include lingcod, red snapper and rockfish, with halibut weighing up to 91kg/200lb. Denny Island is also a great connecting point for many eco-tour adventures, offering kayaking, wildlife viewing, bird watching, diving, and cruising; with sightseeing, boat rentals and fishing charters available.