On this page: Learn about Denman Island’s Government and administration, Health and safety, Media, Calendars, Ferries, Maps, our Digital Library, Organizations
and groups, Retail outlets, Recycle Centre, Bottle Depot, Reusable Store, Eateries, Water, Camping, Parks and Nature Reserves.
Learn about Denman Island
Our FAQ page has essential information for residents, prospective home-buyers, and visitors.
See also our visitors’ website: https://visitdenmanisland.ca/
The current Denman map and visitors brochure is here (2023):
Government and administration
Life, land, health, housing, water, roads, agriculture, the economy, and the natural environment on Denman are governed and/or
administered by several organizations: the Islands Trust, DIRA (Denman Island Residents Association), the CVRD (Comox Valley
Regional District), Island Health, and various BC Ministries (e.g. roads, water licences, farming, and construction).
Health and safety
Essential info on fire, earthquakes, medical and dental services, home care, help lines, and lots more. There is no RCMP post on Denman,
but Hornby Isl. has one.
Media
Islanders are well connected with each other and the world, through two newspapers, several bulletin boards on Facebook, and
numerous websites and social media pages run by island organizations and groups.
Telus Corporation is the only provider of landline telephone and wired internet services for residents. Other companies provide some
telecommunication services. Cell phone signal coverage of Denman Island is patchy, and ranges from excellent to very poor or intermittent.
The Connected Cost project is bringing optical fiber internet access to Denman and many other communities in the region. Service will be
provided by Citywest and some local ISPs.
Calendars
There is no single calendar for all Denman events, because there is too much happening. These four track most activities:
Denman Activity Centre
Community Hall (incl Kitchen and Back Hall)
The Islands Grapevine weekly newspaper (download current issue)
The Flagstone monthly paper (subscribe: denmanflagstone@gmail.com)
Ferries
Denman, Hornby and Vancouver Island are connected by two ferries. The “Baynes Sound Connector” (cable ferry) connects Buckley Bay
on Vancouver Island to Denman West on Denman Island (schedule). The “Kahloke” connects Gravelly Bay on Denman Island to Shingle Spit
on Hornby Island (schedule). Where are the vessels now? The Denman Island-Hornby Island Ferries Advisory Committee (FAC) provides
liaison with BC Ferries. Call the Buckley Bay ticket booth: 250-335-0323
Maps
See the map and visitor’s brochure on www.visitdenmanisland.ca, our online visitor’s guide. Find maps of our park trails. The Islands
Trust’s map site has customizable maps.
Digital Library
Surveys and reports provide a vast amount of information about our community. Download them from the Denman WORKS Library folder on our Google Drive.
Organizations and Groups
The large number of organizations on Denman – upwards of 50 – reflects the wide range of interests and activities in this community and
its volunteer-driven spirit. New organizations continually emerge and this list has only the more well-known.
Retail outlets
In the downtown area you will find the General Store (sells propane, gas, liquor, groceries, and local produce, and has a Canada Post agency),
Abraxas bookshop, the Hardware Store, and the Denman Craft Shop. About 300 meters east up Denman Road the Guesthouse Bistro sells gifts and bulk organic food.
The Saturday Market (9.30-12.30, May to October) at 5901 Denman Road in mid-island offers a wide range of fresh food and drink. It’s
located right next to the…
Recycle Centre, Bottle Depot, and Reusable Store
Old School Centre, 5901 Denman Road. Recycling: Sat 9:00-1:00, 1:30-3:00, Weds 4:00-7:00. Bottle Depot: like Recycling plus Thurs
2:00-5:00. Details from
Eateries
Except for summer weekends, no eatery is open after 4.00 pm, except Takeout Near You (see last line).
The Guest House Bistro, about 250 yards east of downtown on Denman Road, offers accommodation, coffee and brunch. Its alter ego
(same place!) the Earthclub Factory is a performance venue in summer. Abraxas Books And Gifts opposite the General Store serves coffee
and light meals. Corlan Vineyard serves lunches Monday-Friday 11:00 a.m – 2:00 p.m. In summer the Curve Cafe trailer at Denman
West terminal sells coffee and snacks, and in July-August homemade ice-creams are sold at the trailer at Gravelly Bay terminal. The open-air
Shack and Wagon on Piercy road is open 12-7 in summer (advance ordering only). On Denman Road between the Guesthouse Bistro and
the Arts Centre is Takeout near You; see menu on Facebook.
Water
The General Store sells bottled water, and deliveries of bottled water can be ordered from Denman Water. Bulk delivery of water can
currently be ordered from off-island suppliers: Courtenay Water Services Ltd or Glacier Water Hauling. Drinking water is no longer
available for pickup from the stand pipe of the Graham Lake water system, which is now managed by the CVRD.
Camping
In Fillongley Park on the east side, a small BC Parks camp ground at the beach is open year-round, and is bookable April-October.
Parks and Nature Reserves
We have many parks, reserves, and conservation areas. No single map shows all of them, because they are managed by different
organizations. Start exploring on this page.