About Magic Lake

Magic Lake, (development name Magic Lake Estates) is an unincorporated community on the west side of North Pender Island in British Columbia, Canada.  It has a population of approximately 2000 comprised of roughly 50% full time retired couples, 25% part time residents (many of whom are also retired) and 25% younger people (many of whom have families).  The community boasts the largest marina in the Southern Gulf islands which is also the largest private marina on Canada’s west coast. 

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Taking its name from the first lake/reservoir to be created to supply water to the residents, Magic Lake Estates, usually shortened to "Magic Lake", boasts many amenities that make it a desirable place to live. There are two oceanfront parks at Thieves Bay and Shingle Bay, several ocean access points, and two lakes.  Magic Lake is open to the public for swimming and rowing, whereas Buck Lake is the main public water supply and is off limits to all except those who reside along its shores. The world-class Golf Island Disc Golf Park is located in the midst of the community, off Galleon Way.  Several trails lead to the disc park and connect to Prior Centennial Campground.  A myriad of hiking trails of various lengths traverse the Magic Lake area, creating convenient shortcuts and pleasant walks for local residents. The south trailhead to the Roe Lake portion of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve begins from the northwest edge of Magic Lake at the end of Galleon Way.

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The community had its beginnings in the 1960's, when the development company, Gulf Island Estates, planned a high-density vacation home development on the west shore of the island.  Eventually about 600 acres of properties averaging 1/2 acre spread out along the waterfront and into the forested hillsides beyond.  The subdivision, the largest in Canada at the time, helped inspire creation of the Islands Trust regulatory agency whose mission was to promote more responsible and sustainable development in the Gulf Islands.  The early phases of the communities build out featured water and sewer service.  Properties developed in the final phases were provided water service.