101 Things to Do in the Comox Valley

Thank you to the Vancouver Island Visitor Centre, Comox Valley, for sharing information and ideas with us.   Please keep checking back, as we will be updating this page with new ideas and suggestions.  If there is one thing for sure, no can can ever say "I'm bored" when they live in this beautiful area.  There is plenty to do for everyone!   Whether you are a high end sports enthusiast or a person who enjoys quiet time outside with nature and a book, the Comox Valley has plenty to offer everyone.  

Year Round

1. Enjoy the "Two Pubs Walk" through the woods and along the beach in Oyster River.
2. Rollerblade around the Courtenay Airpark.
3. Visit Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens.
4. View the wildlife while walking one of the trails at Seal Bay Regional Nature Park.
5. Looks for birds along the Courtenay Riverway. 
6. Visit the sunken historic shipwrecks at Royston.
7. Dig deep in to the coal mining history at the Cumberland Museum and Archives.
8. Discover Denman Island Pottery shops and artists' studios.
9. Enjoy fish'n chips at one of our local restaurants
10. Feel the sand with your toes and enjoy a lovely beach walk at Goose Spit;
11. Tour the Comox Air Force Museum, where permanent exhibits display the heritage of CFB Comox.
12. Walk among the trees and streams of Mac Laing Park - a popular route for walking dogs (remember to bring a leash!)
13. Enjoy the wonderful shopping experience in downtown Courtenay.
14. Try your hand at 5-pin bowling at the local bowling lanes.
15. Stop on the bridge in Courtenay and watch boats, kayaks, inner tubes and sometimes seals going up and down the river.
16. Visit the Comox Marina and walk on the beautiful boardwalk, see all the boats and purchase fresh seafood and fish at the dock.
17. Climb the wall at the Cumberland Recreation Centre.
18. Play squash at one of our recreation centres.
19. Rejuvenate your body at one of our local spas.
20. Sip a special coffee, visit and people watch from one of the coffee houses in downtown Courtenay.
21. Take a leisurely stroll along Cumberland's historic main street and learn about the history of this wonderful village.
22. Step back in time and see the many heritage homes of Cumberland (don't forget there are many new homes also!).
23. Visit Jumbo's Cabin, the last surviving building of Cumberland's Chinatown.
24. Enjoy watching the Snowbirds demonstration team practice here in the Comox Valley for 2 weeks each spring.
25. Enjoy live theatrical, comic, dance and musical performances at the Sid Williams Civic Theatre.
26. Relax with a warm beverage at any of our cozy cafes.
27. Search for that unique treasure at one of the many antique and collectibles shops or thrift stores.
28. Check out our wonderful new and used bookstores for that perfect vacation read or gift.
29. Follow the 19A scenic drive signs, north and south, and find some amazing views in the area.

Winter Activities

30. Spend a winter's day at Mt. Washington, cross country skiing or snowshoeing on more than 55 km of trails.
31. Spot the hundreds of magnificent wintering Trumpeter swans from one of several viewing locations.
32. Try a new experience and go "caving" at the Horne Lake Caves.  
33. Ice skate at the Comox Valley Sports Centre

Summer Activities

34. Hike through the pristine alpine slops of Paradise Meadows, stopping for a picnic at Lake Helen Mackenzie.
35. Have a barbecue at Kin Beach and watch cruise ships sale through the Strait.
36. Play mini golf at Miracle Beach Adventure Golf.
37. Play tennis at Lewis Park in downtown Courtenay or in Comox beside the Comox Mall.
38. Take a scenic drive to Comox Lake and go canoeing, stand-up paddling or swimming.
39. Have a campfire and roast marshmallows on the beach at Goose Spit.
40. Take up plane-spotting at the Courtenay Airpark while you enjoy a walk on the paved path.
41. Visit the Comox Valley Farmers' Market, which offers farm fresh, organic and specialty products weekly.
42. Scuba dive in the clear waters of the Comox Valley which is rated one of the world's top diving destinations.
43. Visit one of the beautiful public gardens and enjoy the calming experience.
44. Plan a multi-day backpack hiking trip through the wilderness to the Comox Glacier.
45. Enjoy a unique cycling experience by signing up for a guided cycling trip around the Comox Valley.
46. Take a swim in the warm waters of the terrific sandy Tribune bay Beach on Hornby Island.
47. Explore the back country of Strathcona Provincial Park, British Columbia's oldest Provincial Park.
48. Cheer on the most daring sailors at the Comox Nautical day's "Build and Sale" event in August.
49. Take an Eco-tour adventure on the ocean, in the woods or along the shore.
50. Spend a day kayaking, or book a lesson with one of our local guides.
51. Pick up a copy of the local Growers Guide and go on a self-guided tour of u-picks and buy-direct farms.
52. Rent a sailbaot and cruise among the many islands.
53. Charter a boat and go on a professional guided fishing or marine wildlife tour.
54. Golf at one of the Valley's many golf courses.
55. Go on a culinary gourmet local food and wine tasting tour of the valley.
56. Eat out and we well as at one of the Comox Valley's many fabulous restaurants.
57. Go on an overnight hike to Mt. Albert Edward.
58. Fly a kite at Point Holmes.
59. Take a summer chair lift to the top of Mount Washington and then hike down or ride back down.
60. Take a flightseeing tour of the Comox Valley and see everything from a bird's eye view.
61. Go for a visit to the Courtenay and District Museum and Paleontology Centre.
62. Visit the park and enjoy the tea at the historic Filberg Teahouse, set in the 9-acre Filberg Park and Gardens.
63. Take a Comox Harbour charter cruise around the waters from the Comox Harbour.
64. Enjoy the wave pool and indoor water slides at the Comox Valley Aquatic Centre.
65. Visit one of the wonderful galleries featuring collections of artwork produced by First Nations Artists. 
66. Watch a stock car race or do drive go-carts at the Saratoga Speedway.
67. Particicpate, volunteer or be a spectator at the Snow to Surf Relay Race in April.
68. Indulge in world-famour Fanny Bay Oysters.
69. Watch a play or musical at the Old Church Theatre.
70. Hop on the ferry and explore Denman Island and Hornby Island by bike or car.
71. Observe the wonderful vocal sea lions in Fanny Bay.
72. Go salmon fishing from the shore at King Coho in Comox.
73. Enjoy the creations of many Canadian artists and artisans at the annual Filberg Festival.
74. Go to Cumberland's Empire Days Festival on the May long weekend.
75. Hunt for fossils with the Courtenay Musuem and Paleontology Centre. 
76. Go to a driving range and hit a bucket of balls.
77. Practice your driving on the go-carts at the Saratoga Speedway.
78. Enjoy the west coast's largest BC Shellfish Festival week in June.
79. Gather a variety of local food specialties and go for a picnic at the Courtenay estuary.  
80. Watch a production by the young musicians and dramatic artists at the CYMC Summer Music Camp in July.
81. Have a picnic lunch at Saratoga Beach, build a sandcastle and play in the water!
82. Visit one, or all of the winteries in the area and go for a tasting of the wonderful wines produced.
83. Catch some amateaur baseball games at Lewis Park in the spring and summer.
84. Buy a variety of fresh seafood right off the fishing boats at the Comox Whart.
85. Go on a guided horseback ride at one of our local riding stables.
86. Take a short hike and enjoy the scenic Nymph Falls.
87. Visit one of the many artisan and fine art studios in the Valley, and purchase a work of art.
88. Hike along the bluffs at Helliwell Park on Hornby Island.
89. Visit the animals at a hands-on petting farm at Filberg Park in Comox, or Seaview Game Farm in Black Creek.
90. Catch the breeze by windsurfing at Goose Spit.
91. Visit by boat to to the lighthouse on Chrome Island.
92. Go for a bike ride along BC Hyrdo - Puntledge River Trails on in the Cumberland forest.
93. Play a round of disc golf at Mt. Washington.
94. Go on a tour of the Shelter Point Distillery and learn all about how they make "field to flask" single malt Scotch.
95. Explore the back roads and trails of the Comox Valley by mountain bike on a variety of terrain suitable for all levels.
96. In July, camp out at the Vancouver Island Music Festival and enjoy 3 days of live music - acts from Canada and worldwide.
97. Riding the easy to advanced bike trails through Cumberland's surrounding forest.

In-Season

98. Catch the local choir performances throughout the Christmas season. 
99. Enjoy one of the many Christmas Craft Fairs held in the Comox Valley in the months before the holiday season.
100. Shop till you drop at the Downtown Courtenay's special outdoor sale event, Market Day in July. 
101. Watch the spawning salmon climb the ladder at the Puntledge River Fish Hatchery.