Private island near Vancouver now selling for under $1M

A private island located roughly 50 kilometres from Vancouver has hit the market under $1 million after shedding nearly a third of its asking price.

A private island located roughly 50 kilometres from Vancouver has hit the market for under $1 million after shedding nearly a third of its asking price over the past year.

The secluded retreat of Twilight Island sits near the entrance to Ganges Harbour, enveloped on three sides by the larger Salt Spring Island.

The property’s 900-square-foot home features one bedroom and one full bathroom, with a wood-burning fireplace and a large deck.

A Sotheby’s International Realty listing describes the island oasis as “an escape to simplicity, peace and nature that soothes without opulence.”

The property was listed for sale last year for $1.35 million but was re-listed this week for $965,000 after taking a $385,000 hit to the asking price.

Former lottery raffle prize

Back in 1984, the island could be had for as little as $2.

That was the cost of a raffle ticket in a summer lottery held by the Islands 86 Society, a group that organized to promote Vancouver Island and the B.C. Gulf Islands in the leadup to Vancouver’s Expo 86.

The island, which was then valued at approximately $98,500, was the grand prize in the draw, which would go on to raise $688,000 for the society.

According to a local newspaper article at the time, the island prize was won by Tom and Pat Wilson of nearby Quadra Island.

Today, the private island listing describes the roughly half-acre property as a “rare opportunity to turn back time” with a pristine shoreline and private beaches right outside the front door.

The property also boasts a private dock and “excellent” cellular reception, according to Sotheby’s.

Falling B.C. property sales

Home sales have slumped in B.C. since last year, with a recent report from the Greater Vancouver Realtors showing February home sales in the region were down 9.8 per cent from the same month last year, and 28.7 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average.

The association said the benchmark price for all residential properties sold last month was $1,100,300, down 6.8 per cent from February 2025.

A report last week from the B.C. Real Estate Association says the average asking price for residential properties in the province fell 2.9 per cent last month to about $932,000.

The B.C. property assessment office estimates Twilight Island’s value at $586,500, or $491,000 for the land and $95,500 for the home, which property records show was first constructed as an A-frame cabin in 1966, before the structure was eventually expanded.

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