Cowichan

Cowichan Bay Village

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Whether you’re looking for nature, adventure, relaxation, shopping or a cultural experience, the bounty of Cowichan provides it all. Visit for the day or stay for weeks in one of our many first class hotels, inns and bed and breakfasts. Or bring your tent or trailer and camp out.

Cowichan, or Quw’utsun’ in the First Nations Coast Salish language, means “land warmed by the sun.” The area is rich in the culture and traditions of the people of the Cowichan Tribes. The Quw’utsun’ Cultural and Conference Centre is an excellent setting to learn more about the legacy and stories of the Cowichan People. The City of Duncan boasts an array of First Nations art and is officially known as the City of Totems.

Other towns in the Cowichan region include historically preserved Ladysmith which has won a lot of beauty contests over the years, including first place in its category in the national “Communities in Bloom’’ contest in 2003. Before that, it was named one of the 10 prettiest towns in Canada by Harrowsmith Country Life Magazine.

More than 250,000 visitors a year flock to the picturesque seaside community of Chemainus to follow the yellow footprints on a self-guided tour of more than 40 outdoor murals and 13 sculptures depicting the local history of the First Nations and early pioneers.

Cowichan Bay is a hub of boutique cheese, seafood and ice cream shops, cafes and artists’ showrooms, including the well-known Arthur Vickers Shipyard Gallery. Nearby Cobble Hill’s slow pace and old-fashioned country life has attracted an influx in recent years of skilled winemakers, chefs, organic farmers, and artisans.

Cowichan Lake or “Kaatza’’ (the Big Lake) is the second largest lake on Vancouver Island and a major recreational hub in the Cowichan region. Located where the lake meets the Cowichan River, the town of Lake Cowichan is the largest of several small lakeside communities in the area that include Honeymoon Bay, Mesachie Lake and Youbou.

Sport Hosting Portfolio

2008 North American Indigenous Games
2005 BC Senior Games
Annual
Cowichan Bay Regatta
Brentwood International Regatta
Subaru Shawnigan Lake International Triathlon
BC Bike Race
Cowichan S-Bend Slalom Race
Cowichan Lake Mixed Summer Bonspiel
Great Lake Walk and Ultramarathon

Facilities

Community contact

Marketing Coordinator
Tourism Cowichan
250-746-1099
Send email
› View Community Website

More Information

Visit the Cowichan destination page on HelloBC
 

Map and Directions