Top Things to do in Cowichan Valley Regional District
Top Hotels in Cowichan Valley Regional District
- 1. Best Western Plus Chemainus Inn
- 2. Oceanfront Suites at Cowichan Bay
- 3. Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Oyster Bay
- 4. Best Western Cowichan Valley Inn
- 5. Thunderbird Motor Inn
- 6. Kiwi Cove Lodge
- 7. Moon Water Lodge
- 8. Wessex Inn
- 9. Malahat Bungalows Motel
- 10. Eagle Rock Bed and Breakfast Chemainus
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What to do and see in Cowichan Valley Regional District, Vancouver Island: The Best Things to do Good for Kids
Discover the best top things to do in Cowichan Valley Regional District, British Columbia including Ocean EcoVentures Whale Watching, Cowichan Bay Kayaking and Adventure Centre, Sealegs Kayaking & Marine Adventures, Shawnigan Lake Museum, ORKA - Outdoor Recreation and Kayak Adventures, Duncan Farmer's Market, B.C. Forest Discovery Centre, Wall Murals, The Raptors, Hansel and Gretel's Candy Company.
Restaurants in Cowichan Valley Regional District
1. Ocean EcoVentures Whale Watching
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,126 reviews
Ocean EcoVentures' whale watching excursions depart daily from the seaside village of Cowichan Bay.Our Whale Watching tours focus on the Southern Resident Orca Whales, Transient Orca Whales, Humpback Whales, Grey Whales and Minke Whales. You will also encounter Sea Lions, Bald Eagles, Harbour Seals, Dalls and Harbour Porpoise.A small, owner-operated family business, Ocean EcoVentures is committed to providing you with an intimate and informative whale watching tour.
2. Cowichan Bay Kayaking and Adventure Centre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 76 reviews
Join us at Cowichan Bay Kayaking and Adventure Centre for a tour of the Cowichan Estuary in kayaks or canoes. Or come with us on a birding tour of this amazing birding area. Don't forget that we do rentals of sea kayaks, sit on top kayaks, canoes and stand up paddle boards as well.
3. Sealegs Kayaking & Marine Adventures
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 52 reviews
Sealegs Kayaking & Marine Adventure Centre offers wildlife kayaking tours, kayak and stand up paddle board (SUP) rentals and an Eco Adventure Centre pro-shop at Transfer Beach in Ladysmith. Paddle demonstrations, safety talks and a gear fittings are included with all rentals. Eagles, seals, river otters are commonly viewed in and around our quiet harbour and family friendly beachside park.
4. Shawnigan Lake Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 37 reviews
Visit this 'big' museum in the small village of Shawnigan Lake - it's guaranteed to surprise you. For over thirty years, the museum has celebrated the history and the people of Shawnigan Lake (and surrounding area). Drop in for extensive information on the spectacular Kinsol Trestle; renowned Canadian artist EJ Hughes; the true Canadian Last Spike and many other significant history-bites.
Reviewed By fayerj1 - Duncan, Canada
A colorful walk through the island's local history, and the museum's ongoing search for authentic stories and evidence of the community's early residents, landmarks and fascinating events.
5. ORKA - Outdoor Recreation and Kayak Adventures
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 43 reviews
We offer river tubing, kayaking, and SUP boards rentals and now Canoes. For your best selection of products come visit us or our website orkaadventures.com
6. Duncan Farmer's Market
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 129 reviews
Every Saturday morning, all year round, rain or shine, come for the freshest local fruits and vegetables, baking, jams & jellies, honey, crafts, clothing, pet treats, and more! With our "you make it, you bake it, you grow it, you sell it" philosophy, you will find a wide variety of local products to fullfill your "100 mile diet" needs. Please join us in the Market Square in downtown Duncan (look for the clock tower) every Saturday and help make your year-round farmers' market the best in BC! Live music every Saturday from April to Oct.
Reviewed By neepsocks - Victoria, Canada
A lovely place to visit, especially during the spring and summer when the weather is warm and sunny and fresh vegetables and fruits can be found in addition to local crafts, wines, and other artisanal items. Live music, hot food, and a pleasant, friendly atmosphere for all ages can all be found here at this Saturday market, right in the heart of downtown Duncan. Arguably the best farmer's market on Vancouver Island.
7. B.C. Forest Discovery Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 261 reviews
This museum educates visitors about British Columbia's large and historic logging industry.
Reviewed By Fiona_of_VI
This was our first trip to the BC Forestry Discovery Centre. I was very impressed with the activites they had for the kids including musical performances and a really well run colouring area. The food was reasonably priced and good (though all we had was hot chocolate and popcorn). The people there were very friendly and more than interested in talking about the history of the buildings, trains and the logging industry on Vancouver Island. And these folks are volunteers! The train ride was wonderful. We will definelty go back for a visit in the summer.
8. Wall Murals
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 442 reviews
Reviewed By PattiS1979 - Cold Lake, Canada
What a beautiful tribute to the local community, it is a nice walk around the town to see all the murals
9. The Raptors
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 507 reviews
Birds of prey have always inspired awe. Sadly, they are threatened in many parts of the world. When you experience them up close, you learn that they are more than predators from the sky; they are essential to maintaining the delicate eco-balance of our planet. The Raptors offer compelling and interactive experiences with a variety of birds of prey species including eagles, hawks, falcons and owls. Get closer than you ever imagined to these majestic and intelligent creatures. Flying demonstrations, hands-on encounters and educational talks offered daily (March - October). The Raptors is located in the heart of the beautiful Cowichan Valley, just 60 minutes north of Downtown Victoria and 45 minutes south of Downtown Nanaimo by car.
Reviewed By PookyCake - Victoria, Canada
The Raptors centre had been on my “to do” list for a number of years. Having passed by this attraction countless times, it was bound to grab my curiosity. “What is it?” I thought. “What do they do there?” I knew you could have interactive bird experiences, but I didn’t know much else about it. That’s why, when I finally got the opportunity to visit, I was totally surprised and amazed by all that’s done here. The Raptors was set up to educate. Typically, whenever we think of “birds of prey,” most people tend to view them as mindless predators and/or a nuisance. Vultures, for example, have been – and are – targeted in some countries for extermination via poisoned animal carcasses. As a result, their numbers have depleted. This, we learn at the Raptors centre, has a notable impact on our already fragile ecosystem. Everything relies upon everything else. Thus, the purpose and mission of The Raptors is to inform us that birds of prey are essential to maintaining a proper ecological balance. When visiting The Raptors, you can expect to see a nice variety of these beautiful birds: Bald eagles, hawks, owls, falcons and vultures, to name just a few. While their enclosures aren’t the most aesthetically pleasing, we can live with the comfort of knowing that these birds – educational ambassadors – are well taken care of and are given ample opportunities to “stretch their wings,” unlike, say, a typical zoo. It’s nice to know the biologists and falconers view the birds more as colleagues than as wards. When M took me to visit The Raptors, we arrived just in time to watch and observe the Flying Demonstration. This, for me, was the perennial highlight. Watching these majestic (and some not so majestic) birds silently swoop down from the sky – with razor sharp precision – was a visual feast for the eyes. Indeed, getting up close to these birds while the knowledgeable and charismatic staff told the crowd about the vital role these birds play in our world was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you want to enhance your experience even further, The Raptors does offer a variety of unique hands-on experiences, including the “Hawk Walk” or raptor “Encounter.” I did not participate in any of these opportunities, but for those who want to learn more AND take that Instagram-worthy selfie, you can! At day’s end, if you’re visiting the Cowichan Valley area, I highly recommend a visit to The Raptors. It’s family friendly; it’s educational; and it’s pretty epic. What more could one want?
10. Hansel and Gretel's Candy Company
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By O5194IJdonnah - Chilliwack, Canada
This candy shop was amazing! Small but brimming with every sort of candy you could think of. The decorations were also quite something. You can also get samples to whet your appetite.
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