This B.C. retreat on an island once home to a local cult is on the market

The “Waterfront West Coast Retreat” on DeCourcy Island has been listed for sale.

An up-for-sale waterfront property is on a B.C. Gulf Island steeped in cult history and has a price tag more manageable than one might expect, at least for those more familiar with Vancouver housing prices.

The “Waterfront West Coast Retreat” on DeCourcy Island, a 460-acre sanctuary nestled between the Pylades and Stuart Channels approximately 16-kilometres southeast of Vancouver Island’s Nanaimo, is on the market for $895.000.

The 1.4-acre property, listed by Colliers International, is described as an “off-grid retreat” on an island typically accessed by private boat or scheduled floatplane from Vancouver’s airport.

Alongside three bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, the waterfront cottage comes with a separate, equipped workshop, two outbuildings, multi-level outdoor patios that lead directly to the surrounding waters, an SUV and, for the sea dogs, a 20-foot boat.

Highlights found within the fully furnished rooms include four fireplaces, in-built seating in the dining area, French doors and a mixture of vintage and modern appliances.

Running entirely off-grid, the home is equipped with solar panels, backup generators and hot water heaters.

According to the listing, the comfortable abode will also likely come with a sense of community thanks to the local residents, who tend to host annual sailing regattas, pancake breakfasts, Thanksgiving lamb roasts and concerts.

The property offers a “peaceful getaway with the option to connect,” the listing reads.

According to the DeCourcy Island website, the island’s initial settler was Edward Arthur Wilson, also known as Brother XII, the leader of a cult-like spiritual group who claimed to be the reincarnated god of Osiris.

Wilson’s group, dubbed the Aquarian Foundation, purchased the island and built a small colony atop it, complete with fortifications.

The website says the group unravelled following a series of “sensational” court cases regarding Wilson and his “sadistic mistress” Madame Z, who had been abusive to the other members of the colony.

The followers attempted to recover the money they had donated to purchase the isle. They won the court case, however Wilson reportedly wrecked the colony and fled with their gold to Switzerland.

With rumours still swirling that much of the cash remains on the secluded island, those looking to move in to the waterfront home should likely pack their shovels.

“There are those of course, that believe the gold is buried somewhere on DeCourcy Island…waiting for a lucky person to find it,” the website says.