Digby Island

Digby Island

The community of Dodge Cove on Digby Island
Digby Island Location in British Columbia
Geography
Location	Chatham Sound
Coordinates	54°17′02″N130°25′01″W / 54.284°N 130.417°W / 54.284; -130.417
Administration
Canada
Province	British Columbia
Regional district	North Coast Regional District
Demographics
Population	40 (2021) [1]
Ethnic groups	Tsimshian
Additional information
Location of Prince Rupert Airport and naval WW II sites

Digby Island is a small island immediately west of Kaien Island, ^[2] and the location of the city of Prince Rupert, British Columbia. ^[3] The island is home to the Prince Rupert Airport ^[4] and the communities of Dodge and Crippen coves. ^[5]

The island was named for Henry A. Digby, an officer on HMS Malacca.

Prior to European colonization, the island was occupied by the Tsimshian for thousands of years. ^[6] The Tsimshian trickster, Txamsem, was believed to have been born there in the village of Kanagatsiyot the current site of Dodge Cove.

Ecology

The island supports hypermaritime, coastal western hemlock ecosystems, experiences strong marine influences with extremely high rainfall, and mild temperatures. Its forests are to the southern and eastern sides of the island, dominated by western hemlock, western redcedar, sitka spruce, and with thick moss layers, organic soils, and frequent wetlands. ^[7]

Features

Indian Reserve

A portion of Metlakatla S1/2 Tsimpsean IR 2 is located on the north end of the island. ^[8]

Military Fortifications

Frederick Point on the southeast coast, ^[9] was one of the coastal defences of Canada's west coast during World War II, ^[10] along with other sites around Prince Rupert. Another such installation was at Dundas Point, on the northeast side of the island ^[11] .

Airport

Main article: Prince Rupert Airport

Prince Rupert Airport ( IATA : YPR, ICAO : CYPR) is a regional airport located on a 686.78 ha (1,697.1 acres) parcel of land on the northwest side of Digby Island. ^[12]

Ferry Terminal

Primarily landing point for airport passengers, located at Du Vernet Point the northeastern shore of Digby Island. ^[13]

References

1. "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population – Dodge Cove, Unincorporated place (UNP), British Columbia" (HTML). Statistics Canada. Government of Canada. 2022-02-09. Retrieved 5 January 2026. Population, 2021: 40
2. "Digby Island". BC Geographical Names .
3. "What About Digby Island". B.C. Saturday Sunset. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 1 February 1913. p. 8.
4. "Prince Rupert Airport". Directory of CBSA Offices and Services. Canada Border Services Agency. Retrieved 5 January 2026. Local Address: Digby Island, Prince Rupert BC (Prince Rupert Airport)
5. "Dodge Cove". BC Geographical Names .
6. MacDonald, G. F. (15 July 2006). "Coast Tsimshian Pre‑Contact Economics and Trade: An Archaeological and Ethno‑Historic Reconstruction" (PDF). Metlakatla/Lax Kw’alaams Land Claim File. University of British Columbia / Canada Land Claims. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
7. Proposed Aurora LNG (2016). Vegetation and Wetland Resources Technical Data Report (Report). British Columbia, Canada: British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office.
8. "Metlakatla Reserve Land Use Plan, October 2019" (PDF). Metlakatla First Nation. Metlakatla First Nation. October 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
9. "Frederick Point". BC Geographical Names .
10. "Prince Rupert Harbour Defences" (PDF). Friends of Military History (or equivalent publisher). Friends‑amis.org. Retrieved 5 January 2026. Frederick Point Battery included two 12‑pounder guns and searchlight positions on Digby Island and Dundas Point Battery had a 75 mm coastal gun guarding the Venn Passage as part of Prince Rupert's harbour defences during World War II.
11. "Dundas Point". BC Geographical Names .
12. "Facilities". Prince Rupert Airport. Prince Rupert Airport Authority. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
13. "Du Vernet Point". BC Geographical Names .

54°17′02″N130°25′01″W / 54.284°N 130.417°W / 54.284; -130.417