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Planes in the fields around Courtenay, Vancouver Island
A Bird Swimming in the Waters of Courtenay River, Vancouver Island
Sunset View in Courtenay, Vancouver Island
Air park Lagoon breach in Courtenay, Vancouver Island
Air park Lagoon breach in Courtenay, Vancouver Island
Air park Lagoon breach info board in Courtenay, Vancouver Island
Nature wide view around Courtenay, Vancouver Island
Nature view around Courtenay, Vancouver Island
Nature view Through the bars of the arbour - Courtenay, Vancouver Island
Nature view around Courtenay, Vancouver Island
Nature wide view around Courtenay, Vancouver Island
Nature wide view around Courtenay, Vancouver Island
Nature wide view around Courtenay, Vancouver Island
Nature view around Courtenay, Vancouver Island
View of People Standing Under The Arbour - Courtenay, Vancouver Island
Nature wide view around Courtenay, Vancouver Island
People Walking Along The Road In Courtenay, Vancouver Island
View of The Arbour, Nature & Mountains in the distance - Courtenay, Vancouver Island
Air park Lagoon breach in Courtenay, Vancouver Island
Air park Lagoon breach in Courtenay, Vancouver Island
Wide View of A tree full of blossoms around Courtenay, Vancouver Island
View of A tree full of blossoms around Courtenay, Vancouver Island
A road ends with an arbour in Courtenay, Vancouver Island
Wide View of the Courtenay Beach-side, Vancouver Island
View of the Courtenay Beach-side, Vancouver Island
View of A tree full of blossoms around Courtenay, Vancouver Island
Benches View around the park in Courtenay, Vancouver Island
Nature view around Courtenay, Vancouver Island
Nature wide view around Courtenay, Vancouver Island

Courtenay

Courtenay is a single city in the Comox Valley on the east coast of Vancouver Island. Courtenay is the biggest community in the area and the seat of the Comox Valley Regional District, previously known as the Comox-Strathcona Regional District. Courtenay is the residence of The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's), an infantry regiment of the Canadian Armed Forces. Based on archaeological evidence, a Coast Salish fishing settlement has been living on the shores of the Courtenay River Estuary for at least 4,000 years. The Coast Salish residents called the area kw'umuxws (Li'kwala for plentiful) due to the gentle climate, fertile soil, and plentiful sea life. The word was anglicized to Komoux and later on to Comox. Courtenay's economy depended on natural resources like coal, logging, fishing, and agriculture. Now it is focused on providing services to the large retiree community and the military families at CFB Comox; of course, tourism is also a vital part of Courtenay's economy.

Average Weather in Courtenay

Courtenay has a Mediterranean climate with dry summer and cool and wet spring and fall. The average temperature is between 0°C (32°F) in February and 23° (73.4°F) in August.

The Best Time to Courtenay

The best time to visit Courtenay is from mid-July to mid-August when the warm-weather activities are available.

How to Get to Courtenay?

Courtenay Airport Transfers

The Comox Valley Airport (YQQ) has daily direct flights from Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton.


Seaplane to Courtenay

Harbour Air Seaplanes have flights from Vancouver Harbour to Comox Harbour terminal, which is only 5.8 km (3.6 miles) away, and you can take a taxi to Courtney.


Ferry to Courtenay

Regular ferry service would take you to Comox Valley from Powell River and Washington State to Victoria. You can go by bus or rent a car at Comox Valley Airport.

Top 15 Attractions in Courtenay

  • Mallard Nature Park
  • The Alberni Project - HMCS Alberni Museum and Memorial
  • Spirits of the West Coast Native Art Gallery
  • Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens
  • Puntledge River Hatchery
  • Blue Moon Winery
  • I-Hos Gallery
  • Courtenay & District Museum & Paleontology Centre
  • Wayward Distillery
  • Air Park
  • Nymph Falls Nature Park
  • Seal Bay Nature Park
  • Miracle Beach Provincial Park
  • Sid Williams Theatre
  • Paradise Plants Garden Centre
Visiting Courtenay

Discovering Beauty and Entertainment in Courtenay

Courtenay is a beautiful, vibrant city with scenic beaches, rivers, lakes, and tourist activities such as skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, snowboarding, and world-class golfing. Comox Valley is famous for year-round recreation and sports. The Courtenay Riverway is one of the most popular and scenic attractions of the town. The waterfront walkway gives you great views of the Courtenay Estuary, and it's close to the downtown core; bird watching and photography are the most popular activities there. The city comes off real strong regarding the entertainments. They include Landmark Cinemas Courtenay, CHALK Spirits ~ Tapas ~ Billiards, Courtenay Little Theatre Society, Comox Valley Leisure Club, Chances Casino Courtenay, Crypt-Tic scape room, Sid Williams Theatre, and Stan Hagen Theatre.


Courtenay gardens

Gardens, Parks, and Natural Green Attractions in Courtenay

  • Park Plateau
  • Sandwick Park
  • Monarch Park
  • Sunrise park
  • Northeast Woods
  • Cape Lazo RV & Campground
  • Blue Jay Park
  • Lancaster Park
  • MacDonald Wood Park
  • Skeena Park
  • Condor Park
  • Village Park
  • Park Drive Park
  • Pioneer Memorial Park
  • Port Augusta Park
  • Marina Park
  • Lewis Park
  • One Spot Trail
  • Malcolm Morrison Sr. Park
  • First Street Park
  • Simms Millenuim Park
  • Courtenay Marina Park
  • Cousins Park
  • Anderton Nursery
  • Gardens on Anderton

Beaches, Lakes, Rivers, Water-based Activities and Winter adventurers in Courtenay

Museums and Art Galleries in Courtenay

  • Courtenay & District Museum
  • Comox Archives & Museum Society
  • The Alberni Project - HMCS Alberni Museum and Memorial
  • Cumberland Museum & Archives
  • Comox Air Force Museum
  • Courtenay Airpark Lagoon Salt Marsh
  • Railway Station Parking
  • Comox Valley Art Gallery
  • Spirits of the West Coast Art Gallery
  • Cedar Roots Native Art Gallery
  • Artwrx Studio (formerly Art Alchemy)
  • Artful : The Gallery
  • I-Hos Gallery
  • Pearl Ellis Gallery
  • Backdoor Gallery & Studio
  • Potter's Place

Festivals and Events in Courtenay

  • Life Drawing
  • The Masonic Hall, Cumberland
  • Earth Week Festival
  • Creativity And Innovation Day
  • World Immunization Week
  • Full Moon, Supermoon
  • The Cumby
  • Cumberland Forest
  • May Day / Beltane
  • Globally And Northern Hemisphere
  • Victoria Day Long Weekend
  • Across Canada
  • World Biodiversity Day
  • Total Lunar Eclipse
  • Cv Arts Virtual Central Island Studio Tour
  • Central Vancouver Island
  • World Bicycle Day 
  • Sustainable Gastronomy Day
  • Miners Memorial Weekend
  • Cumberland Wild Music Festival
  • National Indigenous Peoples Day
Entertainment in Courtenay

Nightlife and Entertainment in Courtenay

  • Rewind Coffee Bar
  • Mex Pub
  • High Tide, pub
  • The Timber Room pub
  • Cornerstone Taphouse pub and restaurant
  • Avalanche Bar and Grill
  • Flying Canoe West Coast Pub
  • Whistle Stop Neighbourhood Pub
  • Chalk pub
  • Browns Socialhouse Courtenay
  • Ocean7 Restaurant AQUA Bistro & Wine Bar

Free Attractions in Courtenay

Services in Courtenay

Public Transportation in Courtenay

Courtenay Public transportation includes bus, ferry, airplane, and taxi.


Vanislander

Where to Stay in Courtenay

Courtenay offers a wide range of accommodations that vary in price and services. The best area to stay in Courtenay is downtown, where you can be close to transportation services and entertainment. However, you can find comfortable lodgings further away from downtown.

Hotels:
Crown Isle Resort & Golf Community
Best Western The Westerly Hotel
Old House Hotel & Spa
Bay View Hotel

Self-Catered Accommodations:
 Ginger Giraffe B&B
Serenity lodge bed and breakfast
Stafford House Bed & Breakfast
Arbour Cottage Bed & Breakfast
Royston House Bed & Breakfast on Royston
Salsbury House B&B
Little Bear Garden View B&B

Hostels:
Port Augusta Inn
River Heights Motel
Super 8 by Wyndham Courtenay
Comox Valley Inn & Suites
Travelodge by Wyndham Courtenay
The Riding Fool Hostel
Kingfisher Oceanside Resort and Spa

Guesthouses:
Kye Bay Guest Lodge & Cottages
Lake Trail Guesthouse


Shopping in Courtenay

Most of the shops are located downtown; however, there are great shops all over the city. Crown Isle Plaza, Comox Centre Mall, Driftwood Mall, SmartCentres Courtenay, Everything Wet Store The, La Cache, Joe Fresh and Lake Trail Thrift Store are some of the best.

Food and Beverage Services in Courtenay

Restaurant and Café in Courtenay

Most of Courtenay's restaurants are around 5th street and N Island Highway. Here are the names of the best of them:
Taco Bandido, Plates Eatery & Catering Co., George's Food Bar Ltd, Pizzeria Guerilla, Nikkei Ramen-ya, Black Market Food Truck, OFF MAIN, Union Street Grill and Grotto, The Yellaow Deli, Il Falcone Restaurant, Bisque Restaurant, Yiamas Greek Taverna, Seh-mi Japanese Restaurant Courtenay, Javier's Latin Cuisine Restaurant, Locals Restaurant, Mudsharks Coffee Bar, Atlas Café, Cappuccino Grande Café, Bigfoot Donuts, Rhodos Coffee and Bistro, The Hen and Hog Café, Park Café, Courtenay Grind Espresso & Smoothie Bar, The Bayside Café, Tin Town Cafe

Courtenay Restaurants and Cafes

Wineries, Breweries, Distilleries, Pubs, and Bars in Courtenay

Beaufort Vineyard & Estate Winery, 40 Knots Winery, Wine Cottage The, Signature Wine Cellars, Corks and Caps by VanIsle Wine, Beer Makers, Ace Brewing Company Limited, Gladstone Brewing Co., New Tradition Brewing Company, Land & Sea Brewing Company Ltd.

Health and Wellness in Courtenay

Sport and Wellness Centers and Spas Courtenay

Sport and Wellness Centers, Spas, and Recreational Therapy in Courtenay

  • Studio IPF: Inner Pursuit Fitness
  • CrossFit Constant Conditioning
  • Impulse Studio
  • Titanium Athletics
  • BodyNetix Professional Fitness Training
  • Imagine Laserworks North Island
  • The House of Now
  • Cloud 9 Health & Wellness
  • Finding North
  • White Cedar Integrated Wellness Clinic & Studio
  • Sam Shields Transformations
  • Dayspring Massage Therapy Clin
  • Gigi Spa Boutique
  • Sudhana's Healing Solutions for Women
  • Danni's At-Home-Spa Mobile Esthetics
  • Out of Business
  • The Lost Faucet Sauna House
  • Recreational Therapy
  • Bodyworx Physiotherapy
  • Body Craft Therapeutics
  • Range of Motion Exercise and Massage Therapy
  • BodyWell Remedial Exercise & Registered Massage Therapy
  • Affirmations Massage Therapy

What you Can Expect to Do Near Courtenay

The Hike to Trent Falls

The Hike to Trent Falls

A relatively short and easy trail in the Comox Valley area is the hike to Trent Falls. Stay on track because its wild nature has much to offer. Hiking along the Trent River with its perfect swimming and fishing opportunities and watching the waterfall with a deep pool under and the wildlife around it brings you joy, especially if you are with the family.

The Hike to Century Sam Lake

The Hike to Century Sam Lake

The Hike to Century Sam Lake is highly recommended for experienced hikers. You will have everything to make a good adventure! Hiking in a wilderness area with stunning mountain views and a unique landscape would make a perfect day. Beautiful lake, cool caves, stunning nature and wildlife viewing, and forest walk make your experience very rewarding!

Lake Helen Mackenzie and Battleship Lake Loop Hike

Lake Helen Mackenzie and Battleship Lake Loop Hike

Experienced and beginner hikers will be surprised hiking Lake Helen Mackenzie and Battleship Lake Loop with its stunning atmosphere in an alpine area and fantastic scenery. This trail includes well-kept facilities and a campground that make it suitable for all family members. Have a nice day-hike not to miss the attractions to see.

Hiking on the Courtenay Riverway Heritage Walk

Hiking on the Courtenay Riverway Heritage Walk

The Courtenay Riverway Heritage Walk makes it possible for you to hike in a paved path where nature is around you. It is easy to find wildlife for photography while hiking. Take your dog with you and choose between hiking, walking, running, and biking. As the trail is suitable for all ages and is close to Courtenay, it is one of the popular hiking trails in the area that gets crowded on sunny days.

Mount Washington Snowmobiling

Mount Washington Snowmobiling

Snowmobilers and sledding enthusiasts have the chance to go snowboarding in the morning and waterskiing in the afternoon. The warm dressing is critical during snowmobiling in Mount Washington. Besides, the fantastic view there is fabulous for photography.

Mount Washington Snowboarding

Mount Washington Snowboarding

As the second busiest winter recreational destination in BC, Mt. Washington Ski Resort in Comox Valley offers a wide range of snowboarding facilities. Mountain climbing enthusiasts who choose Mount Washington for snowboarding have the chance to look across the Strait of Georgia and other spectacular views, such as the Strathcona Provincial Park region.

Mount Washington Snowshoeing

Mount Washington Snowshoeing

Being the busiest winter recreational destination in BC, Mount Washington provides you with incredible winter activities, including snowshoeing. While you are on the snow, enjoy a 360-degree panorama of the Strait of Georgia and the Sunshine Coast from Powell River to Sechelt. Moreover, several nearby resorts are ready to offer service to visitors annually.

Mount Washington Skiing

Mount Washington Skiing

As one of the biggest and most visited ski resorts in Comox Valley, The Mount Washington resort is a summer-winter destination primed with several facilities to serve skiing followers. The high rate of snowfall and spectacular views of the ocean, and ample facilities for winter activities multiply the attractiveness of Mount Washington.

Camping in Circlet Lake Campground

Camping in Circlet Lake Campground

The fundamental core of life is your thirst for adventure; therefore, visiting Circlet Lake is a must. Circlet Lake Campground has enough attraction to fascinate you. Alpine forest, easy access, waterfalls, and lakes are just some attractions bewitching visitors and mountaineers for camping there. Some wooden plateau tent pads are provided on the lake, while some are off the lake for campers who need more seclusion.

Camping in Kwai Lake Campground

Camping in Kwai Lake Campground

Once you got bitten by the travel bug, remember to stop by Kwai Lake. Its campground offers an excellent time camping with impressive views all around you. Paved road access, well-maintained trails make the campground a suitable place for campers. A backcountry campground nestled right in an area that is home to diverse flora and fauna. Campers can have an ideal walk-in, wilderness camping adventure.

Camping in Helen Mackenzie Lake Campground

Camping in Helen Mackenzie Lake Campground

When you do not expect it at all, endless excitement on Helen Mackenzie Lake will strike you. There, campers would experience backcountry camping, and all the amenities and convenient facilities that enthusiasts may need are provided. You will be fascinated by breathtaking views and various flora and fauna. It has trails through beautiful meadows by the crystal water while the mountain is spreading upfront.

Campbell River Whale Watching

Campbell River Whale Watching

Get on the board of a Zodiac-style vessel while sailing towards the heart of the water to the sea, watch the giant mammals in the world among other marine creatures. While experiencing Campbell River Whale Watching, you will encounter a rare natural beauty home to diverse wildlife. Campbell River, the salmon capital of the world, is the origin of several tours launching into the Strait of Georgia.

Camping in Fillongley Provincial Park Campground

Camping in Fillongley Provincial Park Campground

If you got a few days free and you plan to spend it on Vancouver Island, pay a visit to Fillongely Provincial Park to experience every possible way of camping. Nestled amongst lush green deciduous trees, visitors would enjoy excellent hiking trails with picturesque sights. This quiet, clean, and grassy park provides you with exciting activities and a gorgeous ocean and forest view.

Camping in Deep Bay RV Park

Camping in Deep Bay RV Park

Despite its name, if you favour it, you can do tent camping with a sea view right in the center of Vancouver Island. one of the most significant fishing camps, Deep Bay s full of surprises for anglers. Not to mention that if you visit, you can observe various fantastic wildlife there. So, put your hesitates aside, and plan to visit Camping in Deep Bay RV Park this weekend.

Camping in Ford's Cove Marina

Camping in Ford's Cove Marina

Looking for a place on Hornby Island to stay the night while enjoying yourselves? You would better stop by camping in Ford's Cove Marina and camp with your RV or tent. This campground has cute oceanic views and glorious sunsets with gorgeous mountains. The Ford's Cove Marina Campground sites are charming, well-maintained, and spacious, with a pleasant grassy and treed atmosphere and beautiful scenery.

What you Can Expect to See Near Courtenay

Comox

Comox

Comox is a town with fishing opportunities, local wildlife, year-round golf and proximity to the Mount Washington ski area, the Forbidden Plateau, and Strathcona Provincial Park. Based on archaeological evidence, there was a Coast Salish fishing settlement at Comox for at least 4,000 years. The area's signature landmark is the Comox Glacier.

Courtenay

Courtenay

Courtenay is the biggest community in the area with daily flights from Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton. It has scenic beaches, rivers, lakes, and popular activities such as Mt. Washington Ski, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, snowboarding, and world-class golfing. Comox Valley is famous for year-round sports and recreational activities among them are bird watching and photography.

Mount McBride

Mount McBride

Mount McBride with 2083 m (6834 ft.) height is the seventh highest mountain on Central Vancouver Island. Atop Mount McBride, the 360° panoramic view of Strathcona Provincial Park is rewarding, besides vistas of the highest mountains on Vancouver Island, including Golden Hinde, Mt Colonel Foster, King's Peak, Elkhorn Mountain, and Rambler Peak.

Goose Spit Park

Goose Spit Park

Goose Spit Park is a long narrow coastal park with a view of the Pacific Ocean and majestic mountains. Lots of driftwoods exist all over the beach. Have a nice walk on the long walkway to see lots of crab and starfish or find some sand dollars. Goose Spit Park offers excellent opportunities for water sports like swimming, kayaking, and surfing.

Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens

Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens

Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens is a fantastic natural garden with delightful paths, a creek, and great open spaces. It is home to plenty of native plants, wildflowers, and birds. The garden features one of the largest collections of rhododendrons in Western Canada, with over 3000 plantings. The best time to visit is from March to the end of June when the rhododendrons are in full bloom.

Tribune Bay Provincial Park

Tribune Bay Provincial Park

Tribune Bay Provincial Park, or Little Hawaii, has an expansive sweep of white sand surrounded by woods. The park is famous for its unusual rocky shoreline formations, tidal pools, and beautiful white sandy beaches. Its warm and shallow water is ideal for snorkelling and swimming. Being there watching sunsets and a beautiful full moon without any street lights to distract the view would impress you.

Rosewall Creek Falls

Rosewall Creek Falls

The flow of Rosewall Creek forms a waterfall in the middle of a rain forest surrounded by moss-covered rocks. Rosewall Creek Falls is one of the masterpieces done by nature that deserves multiple visits. The water is white and pure, and it seems like it's coming out of a wall made of trees. Visiting the waterfall in summer and spring would be perfect as the creek has a higher water level.

Brown's River Falls

Brown's River Falls

Along the Brown River, there is a river fall that completes its attractiveness. The river's stream cascades from rock cliffs and makes Brown's River Falls. It is also known as Medicine Bowl, a series of falls in a lush green forest. The landscape is worthy enough to sit on a rock and watch it for hours, and the sound of the waterfall is like a piece of music on repeat, which you would not become bored with it.

Beaufort Range

Beaufort Range

Develop your life skills and overcome daily life obstacles in touch with nature. The Beaufort Range has incredible mountains stretching from Horne Lake to Comox Lake with Mount Joan as the highest summit. It offers excellent hiking with outstanding views overlooking the Strait of Georgia and Port Alberni, passing through a bit bushy cols.

Myra Falls (Lower Myra Falls)

Myra Falls (Lower Myra Falls)

In the south end of Buttle Lake at Strathcona Provincial Park, you can find Myra Falls (or Lower Myra Falls), a Jewel of natural wonders. This seven-drop waterfall is beautiful all year round, and it feels like you're in a land of fantasy. The tremendous view of the place and shades of green and blue of the pool under the falls make a great scene perfect for photography.

Elk Falls

Elk Falls

With 27 m (89 ft) height, Elk Falls is as beautiful as a postcard picture placed on the west side of Campbell River among the old-growth Douglas firs and cedar trees. The moss-covered rocks, the deep clear water underneath, and Suspension Bridge stretching across the canyon are deep reflections of a fairyland. Step into the hiking trails and enjoy all other beauties like birds.

Trent River

Trent River

The Trent River runs through nature and brings more life to it. The river has a waterfall on its way and merges into the Strait of Georgia. It is fantastic to see the water flowing over the stones and hear the dipper's clear wandering song working along the edge. The Trent River is a beautiful attraction perfect for swimming in summer. There are many fishes in the river, including pink salmon.

Elk Falls Provincial Park

Elk Falls Provincial Park

Elk Falls Provincial Park is a National Park, a friendly site for hiking in nature trails or enjoying lying in the sun listening to the waterfall's soothing sound. The Suspension Bridge stretching across the canyon below the falls is the highest pedestrian bridge on Vancouver Island. Old-growth Douglas firs and cedars are a prominent visit. This nature park is a year-round salmon fishing destination in Canada.

Trent River Falls

Trent River Falls

Listen to the music of water, let your troubles go with the flow, and immerse yourself in nature. Get yourself in touch with the perfect view of Trent River Falls, its ecosystem, and beautiful trees. Enjoy the wildlife and a wide range of bird species in the area. Make your outdoor excursion around the waterfall and the Trent River full of peace.

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