The Cowichan Valley, or Quw’utsun, is located on Vancouver Island just north of Victoria and is about thirty five hundred square kilometers in size. Across the valley you’ll find a variety of landscapes including lakes, winding rivers, farmland, towns and dense forests. It’s a big place! It can be overwhelming to decide where exactly to stay if you’re not familiar with it. We’ll break down some of the most popular areas below so you can determine what suits your next trip best.
The central city in the Cowichan Valley, Duncan, BC, is home to several thousand residents. The downtown core is super walkable, about two square kilometers, and home to many delightful local businesses. Duncan is known as the City of Totems. Just follow the yellow footsteps downtown for a free tour of over 40 totem poles. Most bigger stores like grocery stores and food chains surround the downtown Duncan core.
A beautiful location to stay that isn’t too far outside of town is Cowichan Bay or Cow Bay to locals. It is about a ten minute drive from Duncan to the Cowichan Bay waterfront strip. This village is a one kilometer strip that is packed with restaurants, cafes, pubs and shops. It is also the hub for several adventure businesses that offer activities like kayaking and whale watching. If you stay here in October or November you will probably see the hundreds of California Sea Lions that cover the dock each year as they make their way up to feed on salmon.
In Cowichan Bay you’ll find the Oceanfront Suites. This waterfront hotel offers several different ocean view room options as well as a modern and chic restaurant and bar located on the top floor. This bar boasts a Caesar topped with lobster tail and smoked salmon that was in the running for the best Caesar in Canada. If you’re looking for a hotel to stay in the Cowichan Valley, the Oceanfront makes for a great choice with its amenities and proximity to the beach and Cow Bay village.
If you’re looking for somewhere upscale and romantic to stay, head further south where you’ll find the Villa Eyrie. This resort is located atop the Malahat, the highway running over the mountain range separating Victoria from the Cowichan Valley. You’ll find rooms as well as private villas here, making a great option for group travel. The views from the Villa Eyrie are unmatched. Overlook the Georgia Strait and surrounding gulf islands. On a clear day you’ll see glimpses of Mount Baker in Washington State. The restaurant here is also top notch. You’ll find a delicious variety of seasonal dishes and cocktails with equally impressive service from the staff.
Hotels aren’t the only option for places to stay in the Cowichan Valley. You’ll find tons of Airbnbs in different areas across the valley including Shawnigan Lake, Cowichan Bay, Lake Cowichan and everywhere in between. We’ve compiled a list of our favourites here that our guests have loved. If you’re booking an Airbnb, make sure you book in advance as many of them can book out in the popular summer months.
Regardless of where you decide to stay, we offer pickup and drop off all over the Cowichan Valley for all of our tours (fees may apply to outskirt areas). So where you prefer to stay close to town or out in the boonies, we’ve got you covered.
Make the most of your trip to the Cowichan Valley by booking one of these tours.
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