Comox Valley, Vancouver Island, BC

 
Comox means "Place of Plenty" and the Valley certainly lives up to its name. With the ocean to the east, and mountains to the west, the Comox Valley offers a wide range of cultural and recreational opportunities. Gateway to picturesque Hornby and Denman islands on one side, and to the renowned Mt. Washington Alpine Resort on the other, the Valley remains one of the few places where you can ski, golf, dive and kayak all in the same day.

LOCATION

The Comox Valley is situated mid-way on Vancouver Island's east coast, encompassing the City of Courtenay, the Town of Comox, the Village of Cumberland, the rural areas of Merville and Black Creek and CFB Comox Airbase. It is bordered on the west by the Beaufort Mountain Range with its breathtaking Comox Glacier and Strathcona Park, and on the east by the Strait of Georgia, Comox Harbour and Baynes Sound. The Valley area extends south to Royston, Union Bay, and Fanny Bay and includes Denman and Hornby Islands. It extends North to Oyster River near Black Creek and the sands of Saratoga Beach and Miracle Beach.

CLIMATE

The region enjoys short, mild winters and warm, dry summers. Weather systems that bring heavier rainfall and storms generally pass over us en route to the British Columbia mainland. The Comox Valley is one of the few places in Canada where, in the winter months, one can ski in the morning and golf in the afternoon.

 

GETTING HERE The Inland Island Highway (Highway 19) has superseded the old Island Highway (Highway 19A) as the main access route to the Comox Valley. Highway 19, a four-lane expressway, allows quick access from Nanaimo to the Comox Valley. Highways 19 and 19A link the Comox Valley with southern Vancouver Island. Approaching from the north, Highway 19 links the Comox Valley with Port Hardy at the northern end of Vancouver Island. The Comox Valley is a three hour drive north from Victoria, a 70-minute drive from the ferry terminal at Departure Bay in Nanaimo, and a 90 minute drive from the Duke Point terminal south of Nanaimo. Comox Valley Regional Airport in Comox is fast becoming a regional transportation hub. There are daily direct flights from Vancouver airport and Westjet now operates daily connections between Comox and Calgary and Edmonton in Alberta. Small aircraft and floatplanes land at the Courtenay Airpark near downtown Courtenay. Via rail operates a dayliner passenger service between Victoria and Courtenay. Daily coach lines connect all parts of Vancouver Island with the Mainland, and local bus service is also available in Courtenay, Comox and Cumberland. Those travelling by boat will find a full range of facilities including moorage, showers, restaurants and shops adjacent to the Comox Marina. Regular ferry service links the British Columbia Mainland and Washington State to the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island. Click on the link below for more information on ferry routes, and travel to the Comox Valley.

LOTS TO DO See our Comox Valley Activities page for more detailed information on activities in the Comox Valley. Major events held annually in the Comox Valley, include the Vancouver Island Music Fest and the Filberg Festival The Comox Valley boasts three excellent museums. Some of the best fishing on the island can be found in the Comox Valley. Golfers can tee off at their choice of 6 year-round golf courses and 3 seasonal courses. The Comox Valley abounds with parks and beaches.  The Comox Valley offers world-class skiing at Mt. Washington Alpine Resort. Take a tour of the wineries in the Comox Valley. See our Things to do with the Kids page for specific suggestions about Kid Friendly Activities in the Comox Valley.