Viewed from Cy Hampson Park in North Saanich, James Island hides what is beyond its white sandy shores. Craig McCaw, the U.S. telecommunications billionaire who bought the private island 18 years ago, listed the 780-acre island with Sotheby’s International Realty for $75 million earlier this month.
Now that it’s for sale, we’re reminded of what else the island holds – aside from land set aside for conservation.
James Island boasts an 18-hole golf course, a 5,000 square foot main residence, six guest cottages, private access by air and sea, a pool house, manager’s residence and a western village.
McCaw set aside more than 150 acres of the island for environmental and ecological protection. Last month smoke and flames filled the air as ongoing environmental work included prescribed fire to wipe out invasive species. James Island maintains some of the last remaining coastal sand dune habitat in the Pacific Northwest.