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New islands for sale

Message from the staff at Private Islands Online

Greetings Island Enthusiasts,

This month, we have become hopelessly enamoured of French Polynesia, and more specifically, Bora Bora. Private Islands Online features two new listings from that seductive South Sea archipelago in the Pacific, the Society Islands. Bora Bora is undoubtedly one of the most famous and idyllic islands on the planet, renowned for its unbelievable beauty, romance and mysticism. Approaching by air, one is struck by the extinct volcano forming two towering black peaks at the centre of the island. Bora Bora is surrounded by a brilliant blue lagoon and coral reef – almost perfectly encircling the island. What a splendid location for a private island hideaway...

Bora Bora’s magical waters offer a variety of water sports including windsurfing, jet skiing, scuba diving, and swimming. The island is known for the fabulous diving around its colourful lagoon; many species of sharks and rays can be spotted in the island's amazing blue and green waters. Quite a few of the island’s dive masters offer shark feeding excursions for the brave among us.

Ahem, and back to less distant shores, Canada is offering up a few of its own gems for sale. Vigilant Island, a steal for those with their eyes open, is located across the harbour from Prince Rupert, Canada's gateway to the North. The town of Prince Rupert began as a dream when founder Charles Melville Hays, president of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway Company, saw Prince Rupert as the perfect terminus for marine and rail trade. Unfortunately, while returning from Europe in 1912 after looking for funds to finance his Northern depot, Hays was one of the unlucky who met his demise aboard the RMS Titanic. However, thanks to its local citizens, by the 1980s, Prince Rupert had two major export terminals and a booming local economy.

Kwaikan Island, a neighbour of Vigilant Island, is located in the Queen Charlottes/Haida Gwaii. This triangular archipelago, known as Haida Gwaii (islands of the people) to the Haida Indians, is located 80 kilometres (50 miles) from Prince Rupert. The Queen Charlotte Islands are comprised of more than 150 islands, many small and uninhabited. Kwaikan Island lies in protected waters and boasts two natural harbours and fresh water. The island is ideal for a wilderness retreat with its excellent hunting and fishing. Shrimp and crab are also available in the bay.

Haida Gwaii was the site of Kiidk'yaas (meaning 'ancient tree'), the only naturally occurring golden Sitka Spruce in the world. This Golden Spruce was sacred to the Haida people as well as a popular tourist attraction. The 300 year old tree was illegally cut down by Grant Hadwin on January 22nd of 1997 as an apparent political protest against the logging companies. Botanists from the University of British Columbia took cuttings from the fallen tree so that this unique form of tree would not be lost forever. The University has since offered a number of seedlings to the Haida people to replant.

Private Islands Online wishes all our readers a wonderful August... stay tuned for exciting changes in the Fall.

Renée Redmond
Director of Operations,
Private Islands Online