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.
