Location

Cowichan Bay is centrally located on Vancouver Island and is a 50 minute drive north of Victoria, and a 45 minute drive south of Nanaimo.

The Salish Sea which encompasses the waterways of the southern tip of Vancouver island, the Canadian Gulf islands and the U.S. San Juan Islands is one of the best places in the world to witness Orca Whales in their natural habitat. The area is teeming with wildlife through out the year and everyday is a new day and a life experience.

The Salish Sea extends from the north end of the Strait of Georgia to the south end of the Puget Sound and west to the mouth of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, including the inland marine waters of southern British Columbia, Canada and northern Washington, USA. These separately named bodies of water form a single estuarine ecosystem. Formerly adopted by British Columbia and Washington State in 2009, 'The Salish Sea' as a name for these waters has been embraced by citizens on both sides of the border for years including the Coast Salish Gathering (the alliance of Coast Salish Tribal and First Nations leaders).

Located on the southeast shores of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada, the Cowichan Valley, commonly known as "The Warmland", enjoys over 2,000 hours of sunshine a year. Originating from the Quw'utsun First Nations People, the word "Cowichan" means "back warmed by the sun." Researchers state that the Quw'utsan tribe lived and enjoyed the environmental benefits of Southern Vancouver Island as far back as 4,500 years ago.

With a population of 320,000 to the south (Victoria), and over 80,000 to the north (Nanaimo), the Cowichan Valley has a total population of 71,998. Encompassing over 373,000 acres, the Cowichan Valley includes the incorporated communities of North Cowichan and Duncan, Chemainus, and Ladysmith. Other communities include Cobble Hill, Cowichan Bay, Youbou, Shawnigan Lake, Mill Bay and more.

The Cowichan area is located in Canada's only Maritime Mediterranean climactic zone, resulting in the warmest mean year round temperatures anywhere in Canada. Mild winters followed by warm summers make the Cowichan Valley a desirable location for local grape growers. In fact, the Cowichan Valley boasts over 10 local vineyards.

Getting Here

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Ferries

BC Ferries

Horseshoe Bay (north of Vancouver) to Departure Bay (Nanaimo) Sailing time approx. 1 hour 35 minutes (extra sailings weekends and holidays)
Tsawwassen (south of Vancouver) to Duke Point (Nanaimo) Sailing time approx. 2 hours
Tsawwassen (south of Vancouver) to Swartz Bay (west of Victoria) Sailing time approx. 1 hour 35 minutes

If you would like to talk to BC Ferries Customer Sales and Service Representatives, access recorded information with your touch-tone phone, or make reservations on our Northern or Tsawwassen-Southern Gulf Islands routes, they can be reached by the following methods:

(250) 386-3431 - In Victoria, or long distance from outside British Columbia.
1-888-BCFERRY (1-888-223-3779) In British Columbia, outside the Victoria dialling area.
You can also fax BC Ferries at (250) 381-5452.

For vehicle reservations on our Vancouver-Vancouver Island routes, have your VISA, MasterCard or American Express handy and phone:

1-888-724-5223 toll free from anywhere in British Columbia.
(604) 444-2890 from outside the province. Or use our Reserved Boarding on the Internet service.

Washington State Ferries

Travel between Washington State and Vancouver Island, ferries connect Port Angeles, Seattle, Bellingham, Anacortes to Victoria B.C. Anacortes, WA to Sidney, BC (west of Victoria) Sailing time approx. 3 hours.
Departs Anacortes at 8 am and Sidney at 12 noon (check departure times with numbers below).

For information call:

Seattle: (206) 464-460
Victoria: (250) 381-1551

Victoria Clipper

Seattle, WA to Victoria, BC
Passengers only, no cars

For departure times call the number below, they have a fax back service if you have access to a fax machine.

1-800-888-2535 (outside of BC)
(250) 382-8100 (local Victoria number)

Black Ball Transport

Port Angeles, WA to Victoria, BC
Sailing time 1 hour 35 minutes

For Information call:

(250) 386-2202

Air Travel

Major airlines have frequent scheduled flights from Vancouver, BC and Seattle, WA directly to Victoria International Airport and also connect with other Island communities like Nanaimo, Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River and Port Hardy.

From Vancouver

Pacific Coastal Air flies from Vancouver to Campbell River or Port Hardy.
1-800-663-2872 or 604-273-8666
Air Canada offer flights from Vancouver or Seattle to Campbell River, Nanaimo, and Victoria. 1-800-247-2262 (in Can) or 1-800-776-3000 (in US)
Harbour Air offers flights from Vancouver, BC (downtown) to Duncan (Maple Bay), Vancouver to Victoria (downtown to downtown), and Victoria to Vancouver. For fares and departure times, call 1-800-665-0212

From Calgary

WestJet flies between Calgary, Alberta and Comox (a town 45 minutes south of Campbell River).

For Information call:

1-888-937-8538

From Seattle

Kenmore Air runs scheduled flights from Seattle to Victoria. Please call 800-543-9595
Vancouver Island Helicopter offers Charter Helicopters servicing all of Vancouver Island. For rates phone 250-656-3987 (in Victoria)

Bus Lines

Bus transportation servicing all of Vancouver Island

Bus Companies

Island Coach Lines runs numerous buses up and down Vancouver Island. Check local website for current fares and detailed schedules or call 1-800-663-8390.
Greyhound provides service between Vancouver, BC and Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. Telephone Toll Free: 1-800-661-8747 or in Vancouver: (604) 482-8742.
Laidlaw Coach Lines provides scheduled motor coach service throughout Vancouver Island. For schedules and information call Toll Free: 1-800-318-0818 or in Nanaimo: (250) 753-4371.

Shuttle Services

Vancouver Airport between downtown bus terminal and Airport. Leaves every hour. $12 one way. 1-800-668-3141
Quick Shuttle Service provides regular transportation between Seattle and Vancouver, from airports to city centres. $44 Cdn. one way. From Seattle airport to downtown Vancouver. 1-800-665-2122.
Grayline of Seattle From Seattle Airport to downtown Seattle (to meet ferry to Victoria). 1-206-624-5077
US Greyhound Service between downtown Seattle and downtown Vancouver. 1-800-231-2222
Bellingham Airporter Service between Seattle Airport and Anacortes Ferry (to Victoria). 1-800-423-4219