The Cowichan Valley
Surrounded by scenic mountains, the Cowichan Valley is located on Vancouver Island between Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, and Nanaimo. With the highest mean temperatures in Canada, soil rich enough to grow virtually any crop, a full range of recreational and business services, the region is a favourite place to live and do business on Vancouver Island.
Towering forests, numerous beaches and unique marine hamlets, plus some of the largest and most popular fresh water lakes on Vancouver Island have made the Cowichan Valley a tourist destination for decades.
Did you know that the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island area is located in Canada’s only Maritime Mediterranean climatic zone? This means we have the warmest year round temperatures anywhere in Canada.
In winter, our climate is similar to Texas, Arkansas, Georgia, northern Florida, and some parts of Mexico!
The communities
The area is divided into four main areas: the South-end which is comprised of Mill Bay, Shawnigan Lake, Cobble Hill and Cowichan Bay; Duncan which encompasses Maple Bay; Crofton, Chemainus and Ladysmith to the North and to the West, Lake Cowichan, Honeymoon Bay and Youbou.
Duncan links
- City of Duncan
- Cowichan Valley Regional District
- Municipal of North Cowichan
- Town of Ladysmith
- Cowichan Today
- Cowichan Region Economic Development Commission
- Duncan Business Improvement Area Society
- The Tourism Association of Vancouver Island
Things To Do
Things to do and see are plentiful on Vancouver Island from the Duncan Day Festivals in the Regional District of Cowichan, to hiking through the big redwood forest of Cathedral Grove or the Sitka Spruce’s of Carmanah Valley.
Ladysmith holds an annual Festival of Lights, a beautiful display of holiday spirit which draws people from all over the island and mainland! During summer months, in nearby Nanaimo is the annual BathTub race and festival. For the more culturally oriented there is a profusion of Native American Cultural events or you can attend locally held Short Film festivals.
There’s never a lack of entertainment available to the discerning eye and when combined with the laid back style of Island life and the breath taking oceans views, nearby Ski Mountains and other natural beauty, Vancouver Island is a natural jewel in the setting of our already beautiful British Columbia.
For more information you can visit Hello BC.
Transportation
There’s no shortage of ways to get to Vancouver Island! Some methods are:.