Cowichan Bay:

The village of Cowichan Bay and the surrounding area is home to artists, craftspeople, and cottage industries - including some fine local wineries in the Cowichan Valley.

Cowichan Bay is a unique and historic waterfront village on southern Vancouver Island, facing the Gulf Islands. The Cowichan Valley is a 1 hour drive from both Victoria (south) and Nanaimo (north). With a population of over 2,500 residents, Cowichan Bay is a water-oriented community, busy with fishing boats, piers, wharves, and floating homes. Active community members and visitors alike enjoy boating, fishing, kayaking, whale watching, sailing, and diving.

The Hudson's Bay Company settled Cowichan Bay in the 1850s. It was the earliest development north of Victoria. Europeans settled there originally to farm and trap, and eventually moved into fishing and logging. In 1862, a boatload of settlers arrived. A store and hotel soon followed, and by 1900, Cowichan Bay was already recognized as a tourism rich community, with steamboats arriving regularly at the government dock.

Some of Vancouver Island's most scenic vineyards are located in the area, and Cowichan Bay has some of the best local dining, specializing in seafood and wine.