RABBIT ISLAND
www.landquest.com
JASON ZROBACK (604) 414-5577
KURT NIELSEN
(250) 898-7200
101 - 313 Sixth Street, New Westminster, BC V3L 3A7
Phone: (604) 664-7630
Fax: (604) 516-6504
Toll Free: 1-866-558-5263 (LAND)
Rabbit Island
The “Source” for rural, recreational and development
property throughout British Columbia
Suite 101 - 313 Sixth Street
New Westminster, BC
V3L 3A7
w w w. l a n d q u e s t . c o m
LISTING NO:
07212
SIZE:
36 acres
LOCATION
Rabbit Island rests in Canada’s Inside Passage between Vancouver Island and mainland Canada.
The closest city is Nanaimo (pop 80,000) on Vancouver Island, just 25 nautical miles away. The
Island is at the top of the Straights of Georgia and is the easternmost island in an archipelago that
includes Bull, Jedidiah, and the much larger Lasqueti and Texada Islands. Rabbit Island is 50
miles north of Vancouver city, and 60 miles from the famous fjord, Princess Louisa Inlet. Rabbit
Island is in the province of BC, Canada, within the Nanaimo Land District.
The nearest major public road is to a modern marina called Schooner Cove, in the Fairwinds Resort Development at Nanoose Bay, 20 minutes north of Nanaimo. By boat, Rabbit Island is ten
miles north of Schooner Cove.
DIRECTIONS
Driving
You can take car ferries to Vancouver Island from various points on the British Columbia mainland.
BC Ferries has an extensive system with many options including Vancouver to Nanaimo. Their
website is: www.bcferries.bc.ca
Flying
There are several air carriers serving Nanaimo in the summer. From Vancouver, Air Canada flies
several times a day to Nanaimo. From Seattle’s SeaTac airport, Horizon (Alaska Airlines) and Kenmore Air provide daily service to Nanaimo.
From the Nanaimo airport or ferry dock, it’s about a 30 minute taxi/shuttle ride to Schooner Cove.
Private Charter
Private Flight or Boat Charter companies can be recommended and arranged from any location.
DESCRIPTION
Rabbit Island is a 36 acre private Island currently being utilized as an educational out post. Rabbit
Island is ideally located in the tempered climate of South Western British Columbia. The Island has
a well established infrastructure and accommodations which are suitable for special interest groups
or as a world class private retreat. Rabbit Island is covered in typical west coast vegetation and old
growth forest where wildlife habitat is plentiful. When I first arrived at Rabbit Island I saw resident
deer wandering the shoreline. The Island is rich in character, natural beauty and boasts some of
the most stunning vistas the province of British Columbia has to offer. This truly is a place to relax,
reflect, enjoy. It is without a doubt a destination where great memories will be made.
AREA DATA
Rabbit Island lies in an archipelago of larger islands: Bull, Lasqueti, Texada and Jedidiah. The
Straight of Georgia is famous for its stunning, pristine scenery, temperate climate, vast expanses of
protected parkland, and ocean vistas second to none.
RABBIT ISLAND
HISTORY
In 2003, Rabbit Island was donated to the Orange Coast College Foundation by Southern California sailing enthusiast Henry Wheeler. Since then the OCC Foundation in cooperation with the OCC
School of Sailing & Seamanship has refurbished the facilities on the island and used the island as a
field station to teach summer classes in island ecology, biological diversity, vertebrate biology, inter-tidal ecology, kayaking, and photography. These facilities are now referred to as "Wheeler Station" at Rabbit Island (in honor of the donor - Henry Wheeler).
RECREATION
Hiking
There are many opportunities for hiking on Rabbit and surrounding islands. Jedediah is adjacent to
Rabbit and part of the BC Marine Parks system. It has well established trails as well as some more
challenging ‘off trail’ hikes to the top. Nearby Lasqueti has an established gravel road system
allowing for easy hikes. Lasqueti Island is an interesting backwater populated by about 400 permanent residents. This number rises considerably in the summers and the island has been
‘discovered’ as evidenced by recent housing construction. Texada, the neighbour to the east is a
large island with virtually no population at the south end. Hiking here is essentially trailblazing
through open woodlands as there are no established paths. For those up to the challenge the
vistas from the top of 3,000 foot Mt. Shepard is well worth the effort.
Kayaking
People come from all over to Kayak in this area. Myriads of coves and beaches along with calm
waters and active sea life make for great kayaking. There are multiple choices of day trips for kayakers at all skill levels.
Sailing/Boating
From Rabbit Island, countless miles of pristine shoreline are easily discovered.
Bird Watching / Wildlife
Bald eagles, osprey and many other sea bird species are common to the area. Other wildlife
watching opportunities exist on and around the island including: seals, sea lions, otters and deer.
Although there are no resident pods, transiting orca can sometimes be seen and dolphins often
accompany the boat.
Fishing
Excellent salmon fishing can be experienced in the waters surrounding the island. For those with
smaller ambitions a line off the rocks will usually bring in a cod or snapper. Prawns can be trapped
throughout the area.
Oysters and Clams
There are large oyster beds on the island and some smaller clam beaches.
Scuba Diving
The area is highly rated throughout the world for the abundant under sea life & crystal clear waters.
RABBIT ISLAND
Photography
Visitors to Rabbit Island can experience endless photo taking opportunities of beautiful seascapes
and abundant wildlife.
IMPROVEMENTS
A sheltered cove provides an excellent landing area near the Island’s lodge. A pier and float accommodate vessels up to 50 feet with eight foot draft at any tide. All are connected by wooden
walkways and stairs.
Rabbit Island’s rustic dwellings are comprised of four cabins, a lodge, a bathhouse, and a shop/
generator building.
The cabins are on different elevations. The Island can accommodate up to 18 guests if all beds are
used. Two of the cabins are subdivided into two units. Up to five couples can be given private
rooms.
The 18 x 24 cabins are clean and simple with hardwood floors and trim. They are furnished with
single beds and small dressers. Each has a private dressing room with a sink and vanity.
Two of the cabins are about 50 feet from the lodge and are near the same elevation. A series of
stairs south of the lodge connect the other two cabins, the topmost requiring a climb of about 100
stairs (the view is worth it.) The top cabin provides roomy space for five single beds.
The Bathhouse
The Island has three full restrooms and showers, two located in the bathhouse near the lodge and
one in the lodge itself.
The Lodge
The 900 sq ft lodge is the heart of Rabbit Island, where everyone gathers for meals, takes in the
spectacular views of Bull Passage, and plans for tomorrow. The lodge features a dining area and
living room with a large stone fireplace. Off the living room is a large kitchen and pantry, which
contains a big freezer and refrigerator. Island décor is abundant in the lodge.
Power
Rabbit Island has two sources of electricity. The first is a large array of solar panelswhich feeds a
battery bank that supplies power provided the sun shines and energy use is low. When the Island
is operating at capacity, a new 20 kilowatt Yanmar diesel generator is used to provide enough energy for lights, freezers, and water. When running, the generator supplies high power to the batteries. An inverter turns the DC battery power to regular 110 AC household current.
Fresh Water
All water for drinking, cooking, cleanup and showering is made from seawater by a reverse osmosis
system. Once made, water is stored in tanks next to the generator shed and is pumped by electric
motor to the lodge, bathhouse and cabins. The water maker requires generator use. The water
maker can produce up to 60 gallons an hour.
RABBIT ISLAND
BOUNDARIES:
See maps & plans included.
SERVICES:
Satellite high-speed internet, good cell phone reception
TAXES:
$3,998.91
ZONING:
Islands Trust
LEGAL:
LD: Nanaimo (32); Section 46; Narrative: Island lying E of Lasqueti Island
PRICE:
$2,495,000
RABBIT ISLAND
Our property descriptions and geographical information are taken from the B.C. Assessment Authority, Land Titles Office, government maps and other sources. While
LANDQUEST does not guarantee the information, we believe it to be accurate, but should not be relied upon without verification
RABBIT ISLAND
RABBIT ISLAND
Aerial Photos
RABBIT ISLAND
Dock Systems
RABBIT ISLAND
Main Lodge
Lodge Kitchen
Lodge Meeting Room
RABBIT ISLAND
Grounds
Cabin #1
RABBIT ISLAND
Cabin #2
Cabin #3
BathHouse
BathHouse Interior
RABBIT ISLAND
View towards Cabin #4
Stairs to Cabin #4
View from Cabin #4
Bull Passage
RABBIT ISLAND
Batteries
Diesel 20 KW
Desalination System
Invertor
notes
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
RABBIT ISLAND
JASON ZROBACK
LandQuest Realty Corporation
#101 - 313 6th Street, New Westminster, BC V3L 3A7
Phone: (604) 414-5577 Fax: (604) 516-6504
[email protected]
KURT NIELSEN
LandQuest Realty Corporation Courtenay
#18 - 1050 8th Street, Courtenay, BC V9N 4A5
Phone: (250) 898-7200 Fax: (250) 897-3563
[email protected]
RABBIT ISLAND