It’s hard to pick one place to start blogging about. There are so many reasons I love Vancouver Island. Cowichan Bay is one of those, and the perfect place to start. I want you to be able to feel what I do, as the words gently flow.
See the boats bobbing in the marina. Smell the sea carried on an ocean breeze. Feel the water lapping at your feet or dripping from your paddle as you gently glide through it. Hear the call of the seabirds flying overhead. And, Yes, I want you to taste the fish and chips at my favorite haunt, sip a glass of wine or a pint while taking in the view, and enjoy the smell and taste of my all-time favorite Ginger Cookie.
Cowichan Bay has much to offer, a little something for everyone. A unique and historic little waterfront community located on the east coast of southern Vancouver Island, a perfect mixture of all things I love.
As a child I spent many a weekend down at the village wharf with my family. Life revolved around fishing, and Cowichan Bay was the place to be. It attracted sport and commercial fishermen from all over, all vying for the chance to bring in the biggest catch, and my dad was one of its biggest fans. A salmon fishing capital, long before other places, it attracted the likes of John Wayne and Bing Crosby. It was a fishermen’s dream, and I was a captive audience to it all. If we weren’t heading out in the boat to fish, then we were down at the dock watching the fish come in.
General excitement and chatter was always about who had the biggest fish, where was it caught (as if they would give up their secrets), what did they use to catch it, and how much did it weigh. This is the place fishing stories were built. I remember fishing derby’s, boat festivals, and bullhead fishing. I was never much for fishing, but I’ve gained a huge appreciation for it as an adult. What I wouldn’t give to have that abundance of freshly caught fish now, especially when you see the jaw dropping prices in the supermarket.
As for the bullhead fishing, that is a story in itself, and a major lesson in frustration. Heaven forbid if you were anywhere near me. I could get that hook tangled in anything around me – clothing, boat ropes, poles, myself, and occasionally other people. Maybe it was then I decided I wasn’t a fisherman, but I found my love for the sea. I much preferred to watch the fish swimming around the wharf, the starfish clinging to the rocks, the seals watching you with their puppy dog eyes, or the crabs scurrying about. It was my childhood playground.
Children grow up though, and places change. The fish were gone, the people stopped coming, and Cowichan Bay was lost for a time. It needed time to re-invent itself, and I needed time to realize how much I love this little place.
No longer just a fishing village of the past, it has managed to maintain its history and re-awaken as a trendy little tourist destination. Attracting those that can’t resist the lure of these little waterfront communities. A delight for boaters, kayakers, whale watchers, photographers, diners, artisan shoppers, and those that just want to BE. I know my husband loves nothing better than a lazy afternoon with the perfect pint, overlooking the marina, at the Cowichan Bay Pub. The ideal location to watch the comings and goings of the busy little marina. And, yes, you can still head out in hopes of bringing in that elusive Biggest Catch of the Day.
My old memories of Cowichan Bay remain close to my heart, and plenty of new ones have been created. A trip down Island is never complete without a visit. My love for the ocean came from my childhood experiences in places like this. It is part of being an Islander, which I appreciate even more now.
Favourite Things to Do While in Cowichan Bay
A walk on the wharf while enjoying the view and activity of the marina. Fish and Chips at the Rock Cod Café. Fine Dining at the Masthead Restaurant. A casual meal or drink at the Cowichan Bay Pub. Perusing the little shops and local businesses, and so much more.
Find your favorites, visit the village, and see what it has to offer.
Oh, and if you like Ginger Cookies, check out my favourites at the True Grain Bakery in Cowichan Bay, I don’t think you will be disappointed.