Private island archipelago for sale

Property Details

Physical Description of Land

Bayers Islands (a.k.a. Martinique Islands) is an archipelago consisting of 1 large island (74.6 acres), and 4 smaller islands (4.4 acres). The main island is in three segments, interconnected by more narrow areas of elevanted land that link the segments. Each segment has a bold ocean point, from West to East they are: Flying Point, Middle Point, and Bayers Point. The ocean frontage totals approximately 1.5 miles, and the harbor frontage 1.6 miles.

Each of the islands rests under an untouched cover of old growth spruce, hemlock, oak, and cedar; and a rich undercover of ferns, grasses, and mosses over bedrock. The maximum elevation above sea level is 40 feet. Between the islands are intertidal marshes, with dense grasses along their edges. The only fallen trees fell on their own accord.

Views from the islands are varied, ranging from open ocean, to white sand beach, to harbor and far shore, and finally back to the intertidal marshes. The only houses visible dot the far shore of Musquodoboit Harbour, at Pleasant Point, about one mile to the East.

Drainage is good, and the only wetlands are between the islands. Rock outcroppings dot the landscape of the islands. Bedrock beaches and sloping cobble beaches surround and protect the islands (with sand beaches on the rear side). Two small wooden fishing cabins built in the 1920's remain on the rear of Middle Island and on Dog Island (one of the small islands), and are in disrepair. A cove on the North side would accomodate barges. The property is best described as a pristine, accessible wilderness archipelago.

Marine Access

Fishing-type boats, sailing craft, barges, and the like can reach the islands most easily from the Northern and Eastern (harbour) sides. Kayaks and canoes can easily reach the islands at high tide by paddling behind Martinique Beach. A government wharf is located 5-10 minutes away at Ostrea Lake.

Foot Access

By parking in one of the lots provided for in the Martinique Beach Provincial Park, it is possible to hike to the islands in 30-40 minutes. As no motorized vehicles are allowed on the beach, you would need to obtain a permit to travel down the beach in that manner. The sand is very hard-packed, and could support mountain bikes along the shoreline. Dunes should be avoided due to the seasonal presence of nesting, endangered Piping Plovers.

Car Access

You can reach the Provincial Park parking lot, or the Ostrea Lake government wharf, from either downtown Halifax or the Halifax International Airport, in under 40 minutes.

79 acres for sale

The sale property, 79 acres, is a single title that comprises 100% of Bayers Islands landmass. There are no liens, and no other landowners on the property.

Zoning and Taxes

Bayers Islands are zoned "mult", which means that any structure can be built, and any use at all, can be made of the property. Taxes are nominal, at approximately US$1200 per year.

Utilities

The Bayers Islands group is untouched: no utilities and no structures have been developed. The results of a specialist consultant study performed in 2002 suggest that a combination of wind and solar power (with a backup generator) would adequately supply a structure with year-round electrical power (though an underwater cable could be run from the East side of Musquodoboit Harbour to the island, a distance of approximately 1 mile). Fresh water has been shown to exist on both Middle Island and Bayers Island; though a rainwater catchment system might be more practical depending on the building site(s) chosen. Composting toilets would be best suited to the site to avoid the normal risk of groundwater contamination. Cell phones work on the islands, based on several tests.

Infrastructure

"No man is an island", and fortunately Bayers Islands aren't completely on their own, either. Within 6 miles up the paved, well-maintained East Petpeswick road can be found a hospital, police station, shopping, schools, and library; and, even closer, can be found a golf course, yacht club, and German bakery (Willie's Sunflower Café, home of the Almost Famous Cinnamon Bun).