John & Jacqueline's Guidebook
Sightseeing
Browse through some of our favourite places to recommend to our guests! If you plan to visit any of these places please call and check for current availability and hours. Get out there and explore the Cowichan Valley and Cowichan Bay!
This a marine museum in the center of the Village and a must-see if you are interested in boating!
11 locals recommend
Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre
1761 Cowichan Bay RoadThis a marine museum in the center of the Village and a must-see if you are interested in boating!
Great walk and a tremendous example of a rail trestle which is now a scenic footpath. This one of the tallest freestanding timber rail structures in the world.
168 locals recommend
Kinsol Trestle
2869 Glen Eagles RdGreat walk and a tremendous example of a rail trestle which is now a scenic footpath. This one of the tallest freestanding timber rail structures in the world.
There are indoor and outdoor exhibits spread over a 100-acre (40 ha) site, including operating steam and gas rail equipment plus logging trucks. There are forest and nature trails, a picnic area, , gift shop. Explore a reconstructed logging camp and more!
50 locals recommend
B.C. Forest Discovery Centre
2892 Drinkwater RdThere are indoor and outdoor exhibits spread over a 100-acre (40 ha) site, including operating steam and gas rail equipment plus logging trucks. There are forest and nature trails, a picnic area, , gift shop. Explore a reconstructed logging camp and more!
This hike to the cross on Mount Tzouhalem provides an incredible view of the Cowichan Valley, from Cowichan Bay across the valley to the town of Duncan.
32 locals recommend
Mount Tzouhalem
This hike to the cross on Mount Tzouhalem provides an incredible view of the Cowichan Valley, from Cowichan Bay across the valley to the town of Duncan.
Mount Prevost from Drinkwater Road is an 11.9 km moderately trafficked loop trail. It's used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching.
14 locals recommend
Mount Prevost War Memorial
Mount Prevost RoadMount Prevost from Drinkwater Road is an 11.9 km moderately trafficked loop trail. It's used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching.
Excellent link here for all the best stuff to see and do in Cow Bay! Walk to the end of the pier to see Sea Lions (usually here Oct/Nov)
Cowichan Bay Fishermen's Wharf Assn
1699 Cowichan Bay RdExcellent link here for all the best stuff to see and do in Cow Bay! Walk to the end of the pier to see Sea Lions (usually here Oct/Nov)
Food scene
Amazing view especially at sunset. Good food and friendly service. 5 minutes by foot from our Studio!
27 locals recommend
Cow Cafe
1681 Cowichan Bay RdAmazing view especially at sunset. Good food and friendly service. 5 minutes by foot from our Studio!
Relaxed and quick! Diner style restaurant perfect for a quick lunch and right in the Village of Cow Bay.
19 locals recommend
Rock Cod Cafe
1759 Cowichan Bay RdRelaxed and quick! Diner style restaurant perfect for a quick lunch and right in the Village of Cow Bay.
This food is authentic Thai - just order well in advance because they get very busy! They are right in Cow Bay Village
Sathian Thai food
1751 Cowichan Bay RdThis food is authentic Thai - just order well in advance because they get very busy! They are right in Cow Bay Village
The olives are delicious and fresh and this place is renowned for their wood-fired pizza oven! It's a 45-min walk or short drive.
40 locals recommend
Pizzeria Prima Strada
14-1400 Cowichan Bay RdThe olives are delicious and fresh and this place is renowned for their wood-fired pizza oven! It's a 45-min walk or short drive.
In Cow Bay Village beside the Government Dock. Fine Dining - closed Mondays! Get a reservation!
27 locals recommend
The Masthead Restaurant
1701 Cowichan Bay RdIn Cow Bay Village beside the Government Dock. Fine Dining - closed Mondays! Get a reservation!
If you like Pubs you'll love this place! At the foot of the Government Dock - just walk there!
25 locals recommend
Cow Bay Marine Pub Inc
1695 Cowichan Bay RdIf you like Pubs you'll love this place! At the foot of the Government Dock - just walk there!
Do you love all things delicious and organic? Don't miss visiting True Grain for a tasty treat, outstanding breads and pastries and healthy raw ingredients to take home too!
44 locals recommend
True Grain - Cowichan Bay
1735 Cowichan Bay RdDo you love all things delicious and organic? Don't miss visiting True Grain for a tasty treat, outstanding breads and pastries and healthy raw ingredients to take home too!
Prime-Rib Dinner for Take-Out? Say no more...simply a must visit restaurant if you are a 'foodie'.
19 locals recommend
Farm Table Inn
6755 Cowichan Lake RdPrime-Rib Dinner for Take-Out? Say no more...simply a must visit restaurant if you are a 'foodie'.
Authentic Indian food! Located in Duncan roughly 15 minutes from our Studio. Good sized portions, fantastic food and great service. Our fave place for Indian food in the Cowichan Valley.
Heritage Indian Cuisine
3307 Cowichan Lake RdAuthentic Indian food! Located in Duncan roughly 15 minutes from our Studio. Good sized portions, fantastic food and great service. Our fave place for Indian food in the Cowichan Valley.
Adventures
Raptors are some of the world's most incredible aerial predators. This place is super fun if you have always wanted to get up close and personal with these amazing creatures! l
59 locals recommend
Pacific Northwest Raptors
1877 Herd RdRaptors are some of the world's most incredible aerial predators. This place is super fun if you have always wanted to get up close and personal with these amazing creatures! l
Get out on the water! A small owner-operated family business and 5-star adventure right in Cow Bay! 5 min walk from here.
45 locals recommend
Ocean Ecoventures Whale Watching
1721 Cowichan Bay RdGet out on the water! A small owner-operated family business and 5-star adventure right in Cow Bay! 5 min walk from here.
Pick up unique, handmade gifts, veggies, baked goods and souvenirs! 10am to 2pm Saturdays in Duncan.
77 locals recommend
Duncan Farmer's Market
200 Craig StPick up unique, handmade gifts, veggies, baked goods and souvenirs! 10am to 2pm Saturdays in Duncan.
An amazing way to relax and float the day away, literally! All you have to do is show up with your bathing suit and towel, and you are ready to roll. We recommend a sun hat that ties on if you are sensitive to the sun, and of course sunscreen. A shuttle takes you back to the start point, and the tube trip is roughly 2.5 to 3 hours long in total. Particularly wonderful on a hot summers day!
40 locals recommend
Lake Cowichan River Tubing
109 S Shore RdAn amazing way to relax and float the day away, literally! All you have to do is show up with your bathing suit and towel, and you are ready to roll. We recommend a sun hat that ties on if you are sensitive to the sun, and of course sunscreen. A shuttle takes you back to the start point, and the tube trip is roughly 2.5 to 3 hours long in total. Particularly wonderful on a hot summers day!
Anywhere that encourages us to "Smell the Arbutus Trees is our kinda place! The Skywalk is a 600m elevated TreeWalk with interpretive features, making it interactive in nature. Be amazed and stunned by views from a 360° lookout; return on a nature trail at ground level through the forest (yes there is a giant slide to get back down!!) and have lunch or a snack in the café. A must-see attraction.
108 locals recommend
Malahat SkyWalk
901 Trans-Canada HwyAnywhere that encourages us to "Smell the Arbutus Trees is our kinda place! The Skywalk is a 600m elevated TreeWalk with interpretive features, making it interactive in nature. Be amazed and stunned by views from a 360° lookout; return on a nature trail at ground level through the forest (yes there is a giant slide to get back down!!) and have lunch or a snack in the café. A must-see attraction.
For Wine Lovers
This is one of Jacqueline's favourite wineries and is now open Wednesday-Sunday 10am-4pm (10-2:30 Fridays) online bookings
14 locals recommend
Venturi-Schulze Vineyards
4235 Vineyard RdThis is one of Jacqueline's favourite wineries and is now open Wednesday-Sunday 10am-4pm (10-2:30 Fridays) online bookings
Beautiful views here. .Open Monday-Tuesday Noon-4pm & Wed-Sun 11 am-5 pm Bistro Wed-Sun Noon-8pm
111 locals recommend
Unsworth Vineyards
2915 Cameron Taggart RdBeautiful views here. .Open Monday-Tuesday Noon-4pm & Wed-Sun 11 am-5 pm Bistro Wed-Sun Noon-8pm
Very close to us and also a great place to buy blackberry wine!open Thursday-Sunday Noon-5pm
54 locals recommend
Enrico Winery
3280 Telegraph RdVery close to us and also a great place to buy blackberry wine!open Thursday-Sunday Noon-5pm
Jacqueline can say that Zanatta's Damasco wine is the bomb! Closed right now BUT you can order and p/u by appointment.
28 locals recommend
Zanatta Vineyards
5039 Marshall RdJacqueline can say that Zanatta's Damasco wine is the bomb! Closed right now BUT you can order and p/u by appointment.
Cidery & Distillery
Yum Yum grown and produced here in Cobble Hill, Cowichan. The farm is home to our Cidery, Distillery & Eatery.
105 locals recommend
Merridale Cidery & Distillery
1230 Merridale RdYum Yum grown and produced here in Cobble Hill, Cowichan. The farm is home to our Cidery, Distillery & Eatery.
These guys ferment and distill all of their our spirits by hand in small batches, using only fruits and grains grown in BC!
8 locals recommend
Stillhead Distillery
5301 Chaster RdThese guys ferment and distill all of their our spirits by hand in small batches, using only fruits and grains grown in BC!
Go here if you like good beer! Handcrafted in small batches to achieve the high quality and bold flavours.
28 locals recommend
Red Arrow Brewing Company
5255 Chaster RdGo here if you like good beer! Handcrafted in small batches to achieve the high quality and bold flavours.
Shopping
Our awesome neighbour owns this beautiful perfumery! Just step inside and soak in the natural scents and steep in the pleasure!
Wild Coast Perfumery Ltd
1721 Cowichan Bay RdOur awesome neighbour owns this beautiful perfumery! Just step inside and soak in the natural scents and steep in the pleasure!
Gemstones, crystals, geodes, gifts, incense, jeweller and so much more. Definitely Jacqueline's favourite place to be wandering inside of! Having 'one of those days?' Just being in this store makes me feel better!
Wishes
125 Station StGemstones, crystals, geodes, gifts, incense, jeweller and so much more. Definitely Jacqueline's favourite place to be wandering inside of! Having 'one of those days?' Just being in this store makes me feel better!
Calling all tea-lovers! This is your place. In our opinion this is THE BEST tea shop on the Island. Locally owned, with an impressive tea collection, samples available, fresh and friendly. And it smells heavenly.
Chari-Teas
211 Craig StCalling all tea-lovers! This is your place. In our opinion this is THE BEST tea shop on the Island. Locally owned, with an impressive tea collection, samples available, fresh and friendly. And it smells heavenly.
Jacqueline fell in love with The Loft Hair Salon shortly after moving to Cowichan Bay! Superb stylists and quality products combined with a professional presentation. Go here if you are in need of a cut or new do!
O' Hair's At The Loft
281 Canada AveJacqueline fell in love with The Loft Hair Salon shortly after moving to Cowichan Bay! Superb stylists and quality products combined with a professional presentation. Go here if you are in need of a cut or new do!
The perfect place for pampering - walk there from our place in 5 minutes! Need a massage or a facial? Check out their services online and make sure you book in advance of your visit. You'll have a relaxing and luxurious experience to look forward to!
Cowichan Bay Marina Ltd
1721 Cowichan Bay RdThe perfect place for pampering - walk there from our place in 5 minutes! Need a massage or a facial? Check out their services online and make sure you book in advance of your visit. You'll have a relaxing and luxurious experience to look forward to!