Fishermans’ Wharf
The wooden boardwalks of Cowichan Bay are one of the best places to appreciate our maritime heritage. You’ll find an 89-metre heritage pier, the community-based, light-filled Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre, and the Cowichan Bay Wooden Boat Society here. The Society’s Annual Wooden Boat Festival in July celebrates the traditions of craftsmanship behind wooden boat building with a day of fun family-friendly events.
Coastal charm
Maritime activities thrive today with boaters, kayak adventure companies, and whale-watching tours departing from Cowichan Bay’s docks. Cowichan Bay is also a hotspot for birdwatching, particularly enjoyed at Hecate Park and further north in the peaceful salt marsh habitat of the Cowichan Estuary. The Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre has its home here, with volunteers eager to share their knowledge of conservation projects and local natural history.
Learn MoreCittaslow
Fun fact: Cowichan Bay is North America’s first Cittaslow designated community: A cultural trend known as the slow movement. In Cowichan Bay, the peaceful, slower pace of the community is there to improve everyone’s quality of life – those who live here and those who visit.
In the heart of the community along Cowichan Bay Road, Cowichan Bay’s waterfront eateries celebrate the incredible seasonal bounty of land and sea found in the Cowichan region. Independent retail spaces showcase local artisans, including the renowned Arthur Vickers Gallery housed in one of the oldest buildings on the Vancouver Island coastline.
Explore
Along with the authentic Indigenous culture Cowichan offers, check out what other quirky and unexpected things there are.
Explore Cowichan