Cowichan Bay

A colourful working waterfront where ocean charm meets laid-back culture

Cowichan Bay by Boat

A Seaside Village Rich in Maritime Heritage and Natural Beauty

Cowichan Bay is a charming waterfront village nestled on Vancouver Island’s southern coast, known for its floating homes, artisanal shops, and laid-back marina atmosphere. A scenic stop on a marine journey through the Cowichan region, it offers a mix of coastal culture, oceanfront dining, and west coast heritage — perfect for a leisurely lunch, a walk along the docks, or a relaxing day by the sea.

Arriving by Sea

Approaching Cowichan Bay by boat provides a unique perspective of this charming waterfront community. Nestled on the southern edge of Vancouver Island’s Cowichan Valley, the bay is a haven for boaters seeking a blend of natural beauty and cultural richness.

Marinas & Moorage

Cowichan Bay offers several marinas equipped with amenities for visiting vessels:

Cowichan Bay Marina: Accommodates boats up to 60 feet; note that transient moorage is currently unavailable.
Pier 66 & 67 Marinas: Features 900 feet of dock space, free Wi-Fi, clean washrooms, laundry, showers, and waste disposal facilities.
Bluenose Marina: Provides 15 and 30 amp power, washroom and shower facilities, laundry, and is within walking distance to local shops and restaurants.

Activities & Attractions

Cowichan Bay is a hub for maritime and ecological exploration:

Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre: Operated by the Cowichan Wooden Boat Society, this center offers exhibits on maritime history and traditional boat building.
Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre: Located in Hecate Park, this center provides insights into the local estuarine ecosystem and is a prime spot for birdwatching.
Whale Watching & Wildlife Tours: Join local operators for guided tours to observe whales, bald eagles, and other wildlife along the coast.
Kayaking & Canoeing: Explore the protected waters of the estuary and bay with guided kayak tours, offering opportunities to discover hidden coves and marine life.

Dining & Local Flavors

Cowichan Bay boasts a variety of eateries that highlight local ingredients:

Farm-to-Table Cuisine: Enjoy meals prepared with fresh, local produce at restaurants like the Restaurant at Unsworth.
Seafood Delicacies: Savor the catch of the day at waterfront restaurants offering panoramic views of the bay.
Artisanal Shops: Visit local bakeries, cheese shops, and boutiques that showcase the region’s culinary craftsmanship.

Arts & Culture

The village’s artistic spirit is evident in its numerous galleries and studios:

Local Artisans: Explore galleries featuring works by local artists, including pottery, paintings, and handcrafted items.
Cultural Events: Participate in seasonal festivals and markets that celebrate the area’s rich cultural tapestry.

Nature & Recreation

Beyond the village, Cowichan Bay offers natural retreats:

Hecate Park: A 2.51-hectare park featuring a public beach, picnic areas, and a wildlife viewing tower.
Cowichan Valley Trail: Hike or bike along this scenic trail that offers views of the surrounding landscapes and connects to other regional paths.

Travel in Comfort

Our Axopar Cross Cabin ensures a safe and enjoyable journey:

Heated cabin for all-weather comfort
Open-air seating for unobstructed views
Ample storage for personal belongings and gear

Whether you’re seeking a cultural excursion, a nature-focused adventure, or a relaxing day on the water, Cowichan Bay offers a memorable experience for all.

Hundreds of 5 Star Reviews from our B&B and Marine

    
 
 
         
   Chris B 
 
 
 
 Verified Best B&B on the island!
What an amazing piece of property, stayed 2 days and can’t speak highly enough Of Dieter and his wife, from the delicious homemade breakfasts, too the island hoping boat tour. Highly recommended! If you go, make sure to order some of his wife’s homemade muffins to go, they will change what you think a muffin is supposed to be!! 😁
  
 
        
   Codi H 
 
 
 
 Verified Amazing stay and chartered tour!
Had an amazing stay for our friends birthday weekend! Dieter and Paphada are awesome hosts and maintain a beautiful property. Breakfasts were fantastic, Paphada's muffins are 10/10! We also did the private boat charter and Dieter took us to Saltspring and Pender for some exploring, we had an amazing day on the water and shopping/eating on the islands. Thank you so much for the laughs and the stories, and the memories that we'll hold dear forever! Can't wait till next time!
  
 
        
   Jo G 
 
 
 
 Verified Magical Getaway!
This was the perfect getaway. The location is so serene with such tranquil grounds. The breakfasts were so special. Birds of a Feather is so clean and our room was so special. We can't say enough about our wonderful hosts. All recommendation were spot on. We can't wait to return again. In fact we booked our next stay before leaving!
  
 
        
   Resort57384523341 
 
 
 
 Verified Boat Charter September 2024
We booked Dieter for a boat charter. We were very impressed with Dieter's professionalism, courtesy and kindness. We were spreading our mother's ashes at sea and he ensured the entire experience was special and memorable. The marina was lovely and his boat was impeccable and felt luxurious. Thank you so much Dieter!
  
 
        
   Thomas G 
 
 
 
 Verified Bucket list to beautiful Vancouver island
Superb,comfortable room- Suite #1.Private outside deck(where we ate many of our meals)overlooking huge lagoon and Pacific Ocean.Could see all the way to Victoria.Wildlife everywhere-geese,ducks,otters,raccoons,deer- even a cougar.Sat out on end of 50 ft pier and watched sun come up daily.In a quiet residential neighborhood with multimillion Redburn estate next door.Hosts warm and friendly- fresh baked muffins daily.Could recommend more strongly.
  
 
        
   Susann P 
 
 
 
 Verified Beautiful BB
We were allowed to enjoy for 5 days the hospitality, prudence, the comprehensive service, the warm-hearted friendliness, the cleanliness throughout the house, the beautiful room overlooking the lagoon and the large terrace dsvor. With a delicious breakfast every day started perfectly, 2 times Dieter and Phapada even gave us the great joy of a German breakfast with everything that goes with it. Dieters have tips on beautiful trails in the wonderful surroundings our time at Birds of a Feather made perfect. Thank you again for the wonderful time with you, stay healthy and be greeted warmly by us. TS
  
 
        
   kyla w 
 
 
 
 Verified Really nice time
Lovely space! The owners were responsive and friendly. The location was great and having the ability to use boats to explore the lagoon made for a really nice afternoon. It was also quite and restful. I would recommend for anyone looking for a nice place to stay outside of Victoria
  
 
        
   Stephanie W 
 
 
 
 Verified Awesome day trip to the wineries!
We just finished our wine tour with Dieter and I must say that we were very impressed! Dieter went out of his way to make our day perfect even when the weather didn't cooperate. He took us out for a delicious lunch and made excellent suggestions on what to do and where to eat for the remainder of our holidays. He was professional, personable and you could tell he genuinely cared for our experience on the island. All in all, we highly recommend! Dieter.... We'll see you in Thailand!
  
 
        
   Jeri C 
 
 
 
 Verified Lovely respite
We are so very appreciative to Peter for being so accommodating! Our stay was beautiful and peaceful. We loved watching the storm roll in over the Juan de Fuca Strait from his lagoon side seating. A truly beautiful place and a beautiful stay!
  
 
        
   Erik A 
 
 
 
 Verified Private Boat Charter
Today I had a private boat tour booked with Birds of a Feather Marine Tours. I wanted to go back to an Island I hadn't been to for 30 yrs and wanted to take my family to the place I had so many fond memories of. The whole experience was a pleasure from booking, the actual boat (new Axopar) and the trip itself. Dieter made us feel welcome, he Captained his boat well and was even telling us about some of the wildlife we encountered along the way. He had to wait while we toured the Island and had lunch which I'm sure wasn't overly exciting for him for the couple hours we were there but he never rushed us or made us feel like we needed to go. My boys got bored early as expected so I asked Dieter to show us some wildlife on the way back. We were able to spot porpoises, a sea lion, plenty of seals basking on rocks, bird life, we went through some neat passages, past some beautiful scenery and enjoyed some fun times on the water. My wife usually gets motion sick (my biggest concern was her not really enjoying the day because of it) but on the Axopar, that boat is so smooth it cuts through the water that well. We did spend quite some time fighting the wind and waves, crossing other boats wakes and she said she never felt nautious once. Unfortunately the whales eluded us today, that wasn't the purpose of the journey, but would have been the icing on the cake. Thank you Dieter for a great trip and helping make new memories while bringing back plenty of old ones.