Cowichan
(pop. 80,100)
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
BC Senior Games (2005)
North American Indigenous Games (2008)
Cowichan Bay Regatta (annual)
Brentwood International Regatta (annual)
Subaru Shawnigan Lake International Triathlon (annual)
BC Bike Race (annual)
Cowichan S-Bend Slalom Race (annual)
Cowichan Lake Mixed Summer Bonspiel (annual)
Annual Great Lake Walk and Ultramarathon
Facilites
Community contact
Don Barrie
Marketing Coordinator
Tourism Cowichan
250-746-1099
Send email
More Information
Visit the Cowichan destination page on HelloBC
Map and Directions
Opened in August 2008 in time to host one of the venues for the 2008 Indigenous Games, the Cowichan Aquatic Centre is a truly modern facility that reflects the rich history and culture of the Cowichan Valley.
The Cowichan Lake Sports Arena is one of eight complexes managed by Cowichan Lake Recreation. The NHL-sized ice surface has hosted many hockey tournaments and hockey officiating schools.
The Cowichan Lake Regional Curling Club opened its doors in 1970, and most recently this four-sheet curling facility has been known as Cowichan Rocks.
The Cowichan Arena, site of the World’s Largest Hockey Stick and Puck, is home to the BC Hockey League Cowichan Valley Capitals, minor hockey, figure skating, and public ice programs.
The Frank Jameson Community Centre includes an indoor swimming pool complex (lap pool, therapy/teach/leisure pool, whirlpool, and sauna), gymnasium, program and meeting spaces as well as a new fitness and wellness centre.
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