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Cowichan’s oceanside village
Thursday, April 30th, 2009 by GetawayBC.com
You can have a whale of a time touring the many unique shops and enjoying the various eateries in Cowichan Bay.
If you have enough time and an appetite for whale-watching, Cowichan Bay is an embarkation point for tours with guaranteed sightings.
Simon Pidcock is in his seventh year of operating Ocean Ecoventures. Tours in 24-foot open Zodiacs leave right from the heart of the bay and have proven to be extremely popular with tourists – rivaling any such adventure that draws people to the island’s west coast communities of Tofino and Ucluelet.
“We pick up whales from anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour and 15 minutes away,” says Pidcock.
Tours take from three to four hours and Pidcock will go with the flow of the Georgia Strait waters and down into the San Juan Islands of Washington state to find them.
“We just go to wherever they are,” says Pidcock, who runs the tours himself and has discovered the area of the Haro Strait between Sidney and the San Juans as almost a can’t-miss for whale sightings.
Orcas, greys, humpbacks and minke can all be spotted on the tours at different times. Excursions run twice a day around noon and 5 p.m. seven days a week from May to the end of October.
“We’re definitely over 95 per cent sightings. Last year we had two trips where we didn’t see whales,” says Pidcock. “We’re talking a lot of trips, out of 200 trips.”
Those on tours that don’t result in a sighting are entitled to another one for free.
The boat must stay within 100 metres of the whales in accordance with guidelines but that’s plenty close enough to enjoy the magical splendor of the magnificent creatures.
Pidcock says friends and family members of visitors to the valley often go on the tours with them because it’s something they wouldn’t normally do on their own. Many Europeans travelling through the area take advantage of the opportunity for a close-up look at the whales.
Bookings should normally be made three to four days in advance to ensure a spot. The minimum is four people and maximum 12 per trip.
“In the summer, you definitely need reservations,” says Pidcock.
“It’s totally different every day. That’s what makes it fun.
“When we started, I never thought it would be repeat business. We have people who come six or seven times a year.”
Pidcock has spent many long hours over the years on the water. He’s also an experienced sailor from his time with the Maple Bay Yacht Club.
If sailing or kayaking are more your speed than a whale-watching tour in a Zodiac, you can do that in Cowichan Bay, too.
Cowichan Bay Kayak and Outfitters carries a full line of touring kayaks. For the less experienced, kayaking demos can be arranged to get you started.
Other means of getting out onto the water are through Tom’s Cruise Catamaran Charters and Excalibur Charters for a variety of options from nature cruises to guided fishing.
If plunging under water is more your style, Pacific Water Sports is the place to be for all scuba diving needs, courses, information and services.
And if getting all wet makes you yearn for feeling high and dry, there’s plenty of places to go where the bay forms a great backdrop for food and beverages where you can stay nestled inside.
The Rock Cod Cafe is a popular place for casual dining at lunch or dinner, with a wide variety of seafood selections. The Bay Pub, Oceanfront Grand Resort and Marina, the Masthead Restaurant and Schooner’s Restaurant at the Bluenose Marina are all located within “the strip” through Cowichan Bay.
Specialty shops such as Hilary’s Cheese, True Grain Bread & Mill and Udder Guy’s Ice Cream Co. are also popular for some quick snacks or take-home items. The Art Vickers Shipyard Gallery celebrates the work of Vickers, one of Vancouver Island’s most noted artists.
The Cowichan Bay experience wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Wooden Boat Society and Maritime Centre. The history of the bay can be viewed through interesting artifacts and photographs as you stroll on walkways above the water and there’s always plenty of activity to check out at the wooden boat shop.
Artisan crafts at small shops are sure to pique enough interest to purchase something unique as a memento of your visit.
Many people just like to stroll down the main road through the bay and soak up the atmosphere, detouring to the government wharf as the spirit moves to check out what’s happening at the houseboats and fishboats moored there.
The combination of amenities gives the bay that personal charm and a step back from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.;