Spotlight on Cowichan Bay
A picturesque little seaside village on the east coast of Vancouver Island, Cowichan Bay is clustered around the ocean in the Cowichan Valley, approximately halfway between the cities of Victoria and Nanaimo. Looking across the Bay, you can see the beautiful scenery of the area dominated by Mount Tzouhalem.
Cowichan Bay draws its name from a word in the Hul’q’umi’num language (“Quw’utsun”) which means “to warm one’s back in the sun”. The name came from a large rock formation on the side of Mount Tzouhalem said to resemble a frog basking in the sun.
Today, the village is affectionately known to its 2,800 residents and Valley locals as “Cow Bay”.
A Brief History
Cowichan Bay has a rich history dating back many thousands of years, and was originally home to Cowichan First Nations tribes including the Knepisen, Comiekan, Clem Clemluts and Kipalus totalling somewhere between 4,000 and 5,000 members. These native peoples sustained themselves by harvesting salmon and shellfish found in the area. A rare soapstone bowl was discovered in Cowichan Bay in the late 1800s. Now part of the British Museum’s collection, the bowl is believed to come from the Marpole Culture (400 BCE-400 AD) and is one of only about 50 ever found.
Originally located at the flats at the top of Cowichan Bay, the village was the first settlement north of Victoria, starting in the 1850s as a Hudson’s Bay Company fort.
The first Europeans arrived in 1862 on the HMS Hecate. They settled Cowichan Bay to farm and trap, to log the rich forest land, and to fish for salmon and herring. Fish harvested from Cowichan Bay were so abundant that they were shipped all over the world.
By 1900 Cowichan Bay was well established as the salmon capital of the world, offering fishing and sailing. For landlubbers, Cow Bay is home to the second oldest grass tennis courts in the world (after Wimbledon) and the oldest in Canada!
Famous Residents
James Dunsmuir – Former Premier and Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia, James Dunsmuir was part of the famous coal mining family. After his retirement in 1909, he moved into the baronial mansion he built called Hatley Castle. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and had a fishing lodge in Cowichan Bay where he passed away in 1920.
Robert William Service – Known as the “Bard of the Yukon”, Robert Service was a poet and writer of the Yukon Gold Rush. He worked as a labourer on several farms in Cowichan Bay between 1896 and 1903.
Arthur Vickers – A renowned First Nations artist and story teller, Arthur Vickers creates highly sought after and internationally collected art inspired by his heritage and the natural beauty of the seaside communities he loves. The Arthur Vickers Gallery can be found on Cowichan Bay Road.
Cowichan Bay Today
Cowichan Bay is still a flourishing fishing community, so you can watch the boats come in to harbour bringing in their daily catch. The village also has a thriving arts and crafts scene, with numerous galleries, studios, and shops showcasing the work of local artists and artisans. Everything from handmade pottery and jewelry to one-of-a-kind paintings and sculptures are there to be discovered.
Take a stroll along the boardwalk, stop for a coffee or a meal, and soak up the atmosphere of this lovely seaside village. Feeling more adventurous? There’s whale watching and kayak rentals to get you out on the Bay.
The Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre displays a collection of historic boats and exhibits showcasing the traditions of the local fishermen. You can take a guided tour and watch demonstrations of traditional boat-building techniques.
Cowichan Bay is also home to a number of parks and nature reserves. Hecate Park is as a popular picnic and beach area for locals. The park has a boat launch for day fishing or cruising the Bay.
Just a short drive from the village is the Cowichan River Provincial Park, which offers hiking trails, picnic areas, and swimming spots along the river. In the park, the Cowichan River Footpath winds 20 km through dense Douglas Fir and Western Hemlock Forest following the river to Skutz Falls.
Seasonal Highlights
Summer is festival season in Cow Bay! The 35th Annual Wooden Boat Festival in July features wooden boats on display, boat races, local music, kid’s fishing derby, and a clam chowder contest.
August brings us the Cowichan Valley Wine Festival, featuring tastings and tours of the region’s best wineries, including Cow Bay’s Rocky Creek Winery, and the Cowichan Bay Regatta which is the second largest regatta on Canada’s West Coast.
Fall brings the salmon back on their way to their spawning grounds in the Cowichan and Koksilah Rivers and the sea lions are not far behind! Come into Cowichan Bay and see them haul themselves out onto the floating breakwater near the Government Dock. It’s quite a spectacle! Bald eagles, seals, and heron are frequent visitors to the Bay.
Whether you’re a local or a tourist, Cowichan Bay is a must-visit destination in the Cowichan Valley.
