Cowichan Region of Vancouver Island
Maple Bay and Genoa Bay
Just east of Duncan, Maple Bay and Genoa Bay look out over Sansum Narrows to Salt Spring Island. These pretty communities offer quiet beaches and calm waters, as well as fishing, diving, kayaking, and hiking. Maple Bay is a haven for boaters and kayakers and bustles with marine activity. Just down the road, Genoa Bay is a serene cluster of waterside homes with an art gallery, bed and breakfasts, pubs, and a restaurant, as well as a protected anchorage and several marinas.
Crofton
The peaceful community of Crofton is renowned for fishing and boating, as well as its interesting history. The community began as a collection of pioneer homesteads, boomed briefly as a copper-smelting town in the 1800s, and was later transformed into today’s friendly forestry town. You’ll find all the details on Crofton’s past at the Old School House Museum. The waterfront walkway is a pleasant, scenic stroll and Crofton Beach is a lovely place for a picnic. Hikers can tackle the trails on Maple Mountain. If you are planning a visit to the Gulf Islands, you may want to include Crofton on your itinerary: daily ferry service to Salt Spring Island is available.
Chemainus
More than just a pretty town with quaint houses and beautiful gardens, Chemainus is a year-round destination for visitors from around the globe drawn by the town’s world-famous murals. More than 40 professionally painted murals and 13 sculptures downtown and in old town not only tell the story of the town’s past but have also earned Chemainus the title “world’s largest outdoor art gallery.” Guided, self-guided horse-drawn, and simulated steam-train tours are available.
Many artists and artisans have chosen to live in and around Chemainus and various forms of artistic expression are evident. The town is also home of the Chemainus Theatre Festival, an award-winning professional theatre that presents year-round, live productions, as well as pre-show dining. On most weekends, you can catch musical acts at the Dancing Bean Café, and, in the summertime, performances take place in the band shell in Waterwheel Park. While you are strolling around town, be sure to ask about the local currency — this little town has its very own legal tender!
Area parks include Fuller Lake Park, Kin Beach Park, and Askew Creek Park, which has a pocket of old-growth forest, a winding creek, and great variety of plants, trees, and birds, including nesting bald eagles.
Diving is another activity that has gained popularity since 2006 when a unique dive site was created in Stuart Channel: a Boeing 737 airplane. And if you are up for a game of golf, Mount Brenton Golf Course is within town limits. Thetis Island, just off the coast and accessible by ferry, is popular for boating, hiking, and exploring.
Ladysmith
Overlooking Georgia Strait, Ladysmith is a very pretty town with a downtown boasting some impressively restored heritage buildings. In fact, Ladysmith’s revitalization efforts have led to various provincial and national awards, including a Main Street Canada award and a National Communities in Bloom Award with special honours for heritage. It was also named one of the 10 prettiest towns in Canada by the former publication Harrowsmith Country Life. The best way to explore downtown and learn about the history of the coal mining, forestry, rail, and marine industries is by following the Ladysmith Heritage Route.
Kayaking is a big sport here and Transfer Beach Park is a great place to launch from. The park itself is a family favourite and offers swimming, picnicking, a playground with a water park, and a 1,000-seat amphitheatre with a stellar view.
Holland Creek Trails are recommended for hikers of all ability levels. Other popular activities include fishing, water-skiing, sailing, canoeing, and cycling.
Other highlights include live theatre performances at Ladysmith Little Theatre, the farm markets and collectibles, the ozone pool at the community centre, and the farms and artisan studios throughout the area. Art activities include year-round self-guided studio tours, Arts on the Avenue in late August, and a special art studio tour at Christmas. Christmas is truly special here when thousands of visitors come to see the amazing spectacle of the Festival of Lights.
Arts and Culture
Don’t miss the opportunity to check out the Cowichan region’s creative side. Pottery, paintings, jewellery, carving, sculpture, glass art, textiles, garden art, First Nations arts and crafts, and world-famous Cowichan sweaters are all made locally. Many of the artists welcome visitors to their studios; information is available at Visitor Centres.
You could also time your vacation to coincide with an art event, such as the Visions Studio Tour and Art Sale in July, Artisans in the Park in Chemainus in July, and Ladysmith’s Arts on the Avenue in August.
If you love performing arts, be sure to find out what’s on at the Chemainus Theatre Festival, Ladysmith Little Theatre, and Cowichan Theatre.
South, Central, North Central Island and Cowichan Region
Cowichan Region
Cowichan Region
Cowichan Region
Cowichan Region
Cowichan Region
Cowichan Region
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