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Lake Cowichan

Lake Cowichan is a town located west of Duncan on the east of Cowichan Lake, Vancouver Island. Cowichan Lake is the second most untouched lake in British Columbia, and the Cowichan River is dubbed as a Heritage River. The town of Lake Cowichan was established in 1944. It is southwest of the Trans Canada Trail, the longest recreational and multi-use trail network in the world. There are three communities nearby, including Lake Youbou, Mesachie Lake and Honeymoon Bay.
Lake Cowichan has a beautiful mountainous area with plentiful wildlife and is a perfect place for outdoor adventures. Among the activities available in Lake Cowichan are hiking, cycling, fishing, windsurfing, waterskiing, and kayaking. Although Lake Cowichan itself plays a significant role in the lumber industry, the economy switched from a resource-based economy to a tourism-based economy. Like other Cowichan towns, Lake Cowichan's tourism focuses on its rare beauty and numerous activities.

Average Weather in Lake Cowichan

Lake Cowichan is surrounded by the Pacific temperate rain forests, which results in an ecosystem with the warmest climate in Canada. The temperature rarely goes above 25°C (77°F) or below 0°C (32°F).

The Best Time to Visit Lake Cowichan

December is the best time to visit Lake Cowichan for those who want to ski. However, the busiest months in Lake Cowichan are July, August, and April.


Vanislander

How to Get to Lake Cowichan?

Airport Transfers for Lake Cowichan

Fly from Vancouver Harbour Airport to Nanaimo Harbour Airport and then rent a car or take a bus or a taxi to Lake Cowichan.


Seaplane to Lake Cowichan



Ferry to Lake Cowichan

You can take a ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay. Then rent a car or take a bus or a taxi to Lake Cowichan.

Top 10 Attractions in Lake Cowichan

  • Island Houseboats
  • Kenzie's Fishing Adventures
  • ORKA - Outdoor Recreation and Kayak Adventures
  • Cowichan River Tubing - The Tube Shack
  • Cowichan Lake Visitor Centre
  • Cowichan River Provincial Park
  • Kaatza Station Museum
  • Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit
  • Gordon Bay Provincial Park
  • Cowichan Valley Trail
Visiting Lake Cowichan

Discovering Beauty and Entertainment in Lake Cowichan

Lake Cowichan is a town full of natural beauties and fantastic places such as Cowichan River Provincial Park. The park is a popular spot with great outdoor recreational activities like white-water kayaking, tubing, and fishing. It protects parts of the Cowichan River, which is a Provincial Heritage River. The river is internationally famous for its wild salmon and steelhead fishery. Gordon Bay Provincial Park is also known as a tourist destination, located on the shores of Lake Cowichan. It is home to a second-growth Douglas-fir forest. Lake Cowichan has warm waters and a sandy beach that would be excellent for a family swimming, and it offers hiking trails with fascinating views. If you want to make the best of your trip, visit the town in April when the wildflowers are at their peak.


Gardens, Parks, and Natural Green Attractions in Lake Cowichan

  • Spring Beach Recreation Site
  • Cowichan River Provincial Park
  • Gordon Bay Provincial Park
  • Price Park Central Park
  • Stoker Park
  • Marble Bay Park
  • Bear Lake Park
  • Lakeview Park Campsite
  • Ravine Park
  • Ted Burns Nature Preserve
  • Duck Pond Bridge
  • Green Park
  • Ohtaki Park
  • Rhododendron Memorial Park
Lake Cowichan gardens

Vanislander

Beaches, Lakes, Rivers, and Water-based Activities in Lake Cowichan

  • Little Beach
  • Cowichan River
  • Spring Beach Recreation Site
  • Sandy Beach Marine Park
  • Bear Lake Park beach
  • Stanley Creek
  • Josiah Creek
  • Meade Creek
  • Cottonwood Creek
  • Utility Creek
  • Sutton Creek
  • Skutz Creek
  • Cowichan Lake
  • Bear Lake
  • Mesachie Lake
  • Beaver Lake
  • Kwassin Lake
  • Lost Lake
  • Mayo Lake
  • Kayaking and canoeing
  • Paddle boarding
  • Cowichan Lake Windsurfing
  • Scuba diving
  • Rowing and sailing
  • Cowichan Lake Wakeboarding and Waterskiing

Museums and Art Galleries in Lake Cowichan

  • Kaatza Station Museum
  • Duncan Chinese Cemetery
  • Cafe Mochica (art gallery)
  • Innate Galleries
  • Michaela Davidson Art & Gift Gallery
Entertainment in Lake Cowichan

Festivals and Events in Lake Cowichan

  • Light Up The Night & Arts On The Avenue 
  • Cowichan Valley Wine Festival
  • Sunfest Country Music Festival
  • Chemainus Bluegrass Extravaganza
  • Islands Folk Fest
  • Cowichan Bay Wooden Boat Festival
  • BC Bike Race
  • 39 Days Of July
  • Laketown Shakedown
  • CVAC’s Annual Fine Arts Show
  • Beverly Corners Show & Shine
  • Canadian Bookbinders & Book Artists Guild

Nightlife and Entertainment in Lake Cowichan

  • Cow Bay Marine Pub
  • The Music Hall Food
  • Riot Brewing Co
  • Moby's Pub
  • CVI Restaurant + Lounge
  • The Old Firehouse Wine & Cocktail Bar
  • Dreamland Silent Disco
  • Evolve Nightclub
  • Youbou Bar & Grill

Free Attractions in Lake Cowichan

  • Hiking the scenic trails of Gordon Bay Provincial Park and Cowichan Valley Trail
  • Going to Cowichan Lake Visitor Centre
  • Swimming and sunbathing on the lake beaches
  • Enjoying water sports on Cowichan Lake
  • Camping in the wonderful campsites in the area

Services in Lake Cowichan

Shoping in Lake Cowichan

FIELDS Lake Cowichan department store
Swordfern Boutique
Scarletts Second Hand Boutique and Espresso Bar
Country Grocer Lake Cowichan

Public Transportation in Lake Cowichan

Lake Cowichan public transportation includes buses and taxis.


Vanislander

Where to Stay in Lake Cowichan

Lake Cowichan offers accommodations with a wonderful view of the town's natural beauties. Most of the lodgings are around Cowichan Lake Road.

Self-Catered Accommodation:

Harmony Ridge Bed & Breakfast
Crown House Bed & Breakfast

Hostel:

Cowichan River Lodge
River Rock Cottage Rental
Beaver Lake Resort
Boutique Waterfront Lodge
Riverside Inn Lake
Cowichan Lodge

Guesthouse:

Greendale Riverside Cabins
The Cabin at Little Beach
"Trappers Cabin"
Greendale Riverside Cabins

Food and Beverage Services in Lake Cowichan

Restaurant and Café in Lake Cowichan

JV's Diner
A&W Canada
Subway
Tim Hortons
Jakes at the Lake
Lakeside Sushi
Carmanah Pizza
Ed's Coffeehouse
Cow Cafe & Cookhouse
Market Café

Lake Cowichan Restaurants and Cafes

Wineries, Breweries, Distilleries, Pubs, and Bars in Lake Cowichan

Youbou Bar & Grill

Health and Wellness in Lake Cowichan

Sport and Wellness Centers and Spas Lake Cowichan

Sport and Wellness Centers, Spas, and Recreational Therapy in Lake Cowichan

Lisa's Fit Stop gym
Duncan Trillium Natural Spa
Heads Or Nails Salon & Spa
Autumn Sunshine Massage

What you Can Expect to Do Near Lake Cowichan

West Coast Outdoor Adventure Whale Watching

West Coast Outdoor Adventure Whale Watching

As one of the best tourist attractions of Sooke and Vancouver Island, West Coast comprises many outdoor excitements that cannot be denied. You are provided with different wildlife to watch and various food to eat, not to mention that you observe a rare nature that is outstanding. So, chances are high to see different whales and other marine creatures.

Nitinat Triangle Kayaking and Canoeing

Nitinat Triangle Kayaking and Canoeing

Nitinat Triangle provides an excellent opportunity for those fearless paddlers that lets them set their adventure-thirsty souls on fire. Schedule your trip to Nitinat Triangle when you have 4 or 5 days free. The triangle features campsite facilities and magnetic vies of the land.

Shawnigan Lake Kayaking and Canoeing

Shawnigan Lake Kayaking and Canoeing

If you are a paddling enthusiast and happen to visit Vancouver Island during summer times, put Shawnigan Lake on top of your list. The lake is enclosed with fabulous parks in which you are provided with tons of recreational activities. Lakeside cabins, several beaches and a spectacular shoreline make Shawnigan Lake a fantastic hot spot for kayaking and canoeing.

Ladysmith Kayaking

Ladysmith Kayaking

Exceptional opportunities to explore the water while enjoying the scenic view of a city with a hundred years of history and culture preserved within the realms of Ladysmith. as an ideal kayaking destination, Ladysmith has several offerings to make your stay even more joyful. So, pack your bags and hit the road to this beautiful old city.

The wreck of the Robert Kerr Diving

The wreck of the Robert Kerr Diving

Get out of your comfort zone and go diving in one extraordinary place with quite a history behind it. The wreck of the Robert Kerr is the graveyard of a ship that sank about 200 years ago. Still, now it is a habitat for several marine creatures and offers excellent opportunities to dive deep and explore the underwater world.

Boeing 737 Jet Plane Diving

Boeing 737 Jet Plane Diving

You cannot believe your ears are hearing a diving place made after a Jet Plane was sunk. But, there is only one way to find out, especially for divers who like abnormal experiences. While you are in Chemainus, you can rent a boat and paddle till you reach this place, offering you unbelievable diving opportunities.

Octopus Point Diving

Octopus Point Diving

Adventure lovers who know nothing about diving but look forward to experience it may find the Octopus Point Diving site the best place to go. In these shallow waters, several marine life is observable, and the safety of your diving is guaranteed to a considerable measure.

Camping in the Gordon Bay Campsite

Camping in the Gordon Bay Campsite

Choose wisely to make your stay on Vancouver Island unforgettable. Camping in the Gordon Bay Camp Site can give you the chance to have a retreat from daily bustles in a perfect and clean with a quiet atmosphere. It has a lovely swimming area surrounded by log booms in which you can bathe and relax for unnoticeable hours.

Cowichan Lake Wakeboarding and Waterskiing

Cowichan Lake Wakeboarding and Waterskiing

Wandering around the second-largest lake on Vancouver Island, you are blessed with ample chances of different water sports. Natural features observable in this region adds up to the beauty and attractiveness of your stay and make your memories hard to forget. If you are interested in doing other activities, there are various adventures to embrace.

Shawnigan Lake Wakeboarding and Waterskiing

Shawnigan Lake Wakeboarding and Waterskiing

Surrounded by parks and its proximity to a live community is at least two of many reasons why you should come to Shawnigan lake. Not only wakeboarders and water-skiers will benefit from the waters of this lovely lake, but also paddlers are given the best chance to have a great time onboard.

Cowichan Lake Windsurfing

Cowichan Lake Windsurfing

You would have the chance to re-invent your expectation of windsurfing by embracing the opportunities given to you on the second-largest lake of Vancouver Island. Cowichan Lake does not only serve your desires for windsurfing and is a paradise for those in love with water activities. If you are looking for a time to make the most of it in the Cowichan Lake area, plan to come during April.

Esquimalt Lagoon Windsurfing

Esquimalt Lagoon Windsurfing

If you are looking for a place to make immortal memories of your windsurfing experience, Esquimalt Lagoon would be an ideal place to do so. As one of the seven migratory bird sanctuaries, this lagoon with clear shallow water provides you with ample opportunity for water activities, including windsurfing. Also, beautiful birds travelling between North and South America are observable.

Nitinat Lake Kiteboarding

Nitinat Lake Kiteboarding

All Five senses come together to give the possibility to experience the endless adventure in the Nitinat Lake area. As one of the destinations for consistent winds, Nitinat Lake is a popular place for windsurfing. This lake with long, narrow, and strongly salt-stratified water offers you the best opportunities to fulfil your desires for adventure, kiteboarding in particular.

What you Can Expect to See Near Lake Cowichan

Duncan

Duncan

The city of Duncan is famous for its totem collection. Duncan's tourist attractions and activities include shops and restaurants, great vineyards, kayaking the rivers and ocean, hiking the Trans Canada Trail, or the farmers' market. The city offers Cowichan Performing Arts Centre with amazing shows, restaurants, pubs, and Duncan Showroom (a live music venue) for entertainment.

Lake Cowichan

Lake Cowichan

Lake Cowichan is a town east of Cowichan Lake, the second most untouched lake in BC. The town is west of the Trans Canada Trail, the longest recreational and multi-use trail network globally. Lake Cowichan has a beautiful mountainous area with plentiful wildlife and is a perfect place for outdoor adventures. Lake Cowichan has warm waters and a sandy beach for a family swim.

Langford

Langford

Langford is a city on the south coast of Vancouver Island and heaven for golfers. You can stay at lodgings and play at challenging hillside courses and enjoy yourself at luxurious advantages like the Amatista Spa. Beautiful parks surround the city, so go hiking through scenic forests or have peaceful moments beside lakes. Langford offers shops, family activities, sheep farms, and a bike park.

Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site

Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site

A trail leads you to Fisgard Lighthouse NHS, the first lighthouse on the west coast of Canada. This historic lighthouse is still operating, but the entrance is not allowed. The keeper's house is open to the public which comprises wonderful exhibitions. There you can see shipwrecks, far-flung lights, storms, and the working equipment the lightkeepers used about a century ago.

Ladysmith

Ladysmith

Ladysmith is a historic town famous for monuments, battlefields, and memorials commemorating. Tourism in Ladysmith is based on natural beauties like waterfall, great parks, scenic hiking trails, and fun-filled events suitable for all ages. The best time to visit is from mid-July to mid-August. Enjoy many good restaurants and pubs where you can have a drink or a nice meal.

Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens

Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens

Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens is a place for history enthusiasts and gardens and interior design lovers. It is a 19th-century Victorian home and garden full of everything nostalgic to you. As one of Victoria's oldest homes, it is located overlooking the scenic and historic Selkirk Water/Gorge Waterway. It includes vegetables, cut flowers, a small fruit orchard, and a greenhouse.

Race Rocks Ecological Reserve

Race Rocks Ecological Reserve

Race Rocks Ecological Reserve was established to preserve intertidal and subtidal communities that became very rich due to strong tidal currents. It features marine mammals like whales, sea lions and seals, birds like ducks, cormorants, black oyster-catchers and bald eagles. Fish species, marine invertebrates, and animals like marine algae and seagrass are among other inhabitants.

Woodley Range Ecological Reserve

Woodley Range Ecological Reserve

Woodley Range Ecological Reserve was established in 1996 in Ladysmith to preserve special plant species richness and unique and species-rich meadow and woodland ecosystems. This ecological reserve protects a minimum of 187 vascular plant species, including slimleaf onion, Howell's violet, dune bentgrass, Nuttall's quillwort, and green-sheathed sedge.

Ladysmith Bog Ecological Reserve

Ladysmith Bog Ecological Reserve

Ladysmith Bog Ecological Reserve or Yellow Point Bog Ecological Reserve was established in 1996. The ecological reserve aims to protect the sensitive ecosystem of bog and its scarce plants, forest and the region's well worth biodiversity. Ladysmith Bog Ecological Reserve features a Douglas fir forest and an aquatic-terrestrial interface that are scenic and memorable.

Nitinat Caves

Nitinat Caves

Caves teach us to face our fears. They are signs of history and are full of secrets. Nitinat Caves are a series of small and not very deep caves between Bamfield and Port Renfrew. It needs a sharp eye to find the entrance along the river. Water flows in them, and they lead you to a canyon with gem green water perfect for swimming. The caves offer you beauty and great scenes.

Florence Lake Cave

Florence Lake Cave

You may have limitations for yourself, but if you are not a beginner at cave exploring, overcome your own limits. Find a hidden gem in Langford, somewhere that few people know. Florence Lake Cave is a mystery waiting to be discovered for professional cavers. Some believe that it is the largest cave in Greater Victoria. Don't waste your time hesitating and pack your bag for a challenge.

Skutz Falls

Skutz Falls

Made from the blue snake of the Cowichan River, Skutz Falls is a little waterfall at Cowichan River Provincial Park about bout 6 m (20 ft) in height. Stand at the falls' viewpoint to have a scene of the human-made fish ladder where the river's fast current splashes water on your face. Camping nearby and using the services would complete your journey for having more hours of adventure in the area.

Seymour Range

Seymour Range

The Seymour Range is a small mountain range that comprises the hills and mountains between the San Juan River and the valley of Lake Cowichan. High quality of hiking up at the peaks, is the surrounding mountains and scenery of valleys and hills covered with lush forest. Experience an enriching journey in the nearby Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park and Cowichan Lake.

West Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park

West Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park

At the northwest shore of West of Shawnigan Lake, there is a dawn to dusk area, with a Douglas fir forest and a delightful beach known as Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park. Being there with your family and friends and spending your time swimming, canoeing, waterskiing, and windsurfing would refresh your body and soul. The park is a habitat for many animals.

Cowichan River Provincial Park

Cowichan River Provincial Park

Witness the miracle of nature at Cowichan River Provincial Park coming with human heritage and recreational values. Marie Canyon and Skutz Falls are the prime viewpoints to watch spawning salmon in the fall. Have a picnic at the end of a day of hiking, biking, or horseback riding through excellent trails. On your journey, don't forget to look around, watching animal species and birds.

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