Piers Island
Piers is a small private island that is part of the Gulf Islands lying near Sidney, BC. It is minutes from the BC Ferry Terminal at Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island. There are a total of 131 properties with 128 being oceanfront. The center of the island is a development free green space, excellent for forest hikes and nature viewing.
Enjoy island waterfront with dependable and cost efficient city infrastructure. Including high-speed Internet, safe city water, telephone, BC hydro (power), and fire services. The fire hall is situated on the north of side of the island and also serves as a community meeting space and reading library.
Owners of island properties also belong to the Piers Island Association, which caters to some social activities for islanders as well as arranging work parties for stewardship of the shared centre island Habitat. The habitat is about 158 acres (63.9 hectares) and has been left in its natural state (to be maintained and preserved) with trails. Plus there is a common meadow/park and orchard area on the oceanfront (north side) off of communal Biscoe Beach. Island wildlife includes an excellent migratory and resident bird population, black tailed deer, river otter, mink, newts, and Pacific Tree frogs, to name a few.
Get away from the traffic! On this small island, electric golf carts are the trend, as combustion engines are typically only used for moving large items, construction or barge purposes.
While there are no stores, hospitals or schools on the island, the town of Sidney is only 5-10 minutes by boat (1.4km) and has all the amenities one might desire. There is a group run private ferry service (Eco Cruising BC) taking residents from Piers Island to Swartz Bay government dock or Canoe Cove Marina. Water taxi service is also available by private charter (Docside Charters). So owning a boat is not requirement! However boat moorings are plentiful with over 6 popular marinas within 10km.
The Piers Island Improvement District (PIID) governs and attends to the day-to-day operation of the water distribution system, volunteer fire department and parking/launch property located on Dolphin Road, in North Saanich. Drinking water is supplied by the GVWD via North Saanich with some re-chlorination treatment on island by water operators for safety. Electrical power is supplied by BC Hydro, telephone by Telus and high speed ADSL Internet. Piers also falls within the jurisdiction of Islands Trust and the Capital Regional District for taxation, building permits and other governance issues. . Plus Docks/Wharf at Swartz Bay side and on Piers Island which is controlled by the Capital Regional District and managed by Southern Gulf Islands Harbours Commission.
From Piers Island:
| Van Isle Marina | 4.5 km |
| Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club/Marina | 6.0 km |
| Westport Marina | 6.0 km |
| Capital City Yacht Club | 6.5 km |
| Port Sidney Marina | 10 km |
| Canoe Cove Marina and Boatyard | 2.5 km |
