Things to do in Lake Cowichan

Looking for things to do in Lake Cowichan? Here are the can’t-miss activities and local favourites.

People carrying river tubes outside the Tube Shack building, with a large pile of blue and green inner tubes, and a sign indicating it's for tube rentals.

The Tube Shack

Tube the Cowichan River! Float through the middle of Lake Cowichan for the first half of your float and then enjoy the scenic forest views for the second half all the way to Little Beach! Great way to spend a hot summer day and we shuttle you back to your car! Two and a half to three hours of relaxation with small rapids along the way.

A red wooden building with a black roof, a flag flying in front, and a sign that reads 'Kaatza Station Museum & Archives', indicating it is a museum and archives building.

Kaatza Museum

Dive into the history of Lake Cowichan, Honeymoon Bay, Mesachie, Youbou, and other surrounding communities at the Kaatza Museum, housed in the original Canadian Pacific train station, built in 1913. They focus on logging and its contribution to the development in the area as well as the stories of minorities that played a vital part in the community’s history.

A woman standing near bowling lanes at Youbou Lanes with bowling balls on a rack in the foreground, a mural of animated characters on the wall, and pins at the end of the lanes.

Youbou Bowling Alley

The Youbou Bowling Alley, built in 1951, is the only sanctioned hand set bowling alley remaining in Canada. They have four beautifully preserved original lanes providing a unique bowling experience that transports you back to the 1950s. No experience required and shoes available to rent.

People in a blue river tubes on the Cowichan River under a rusty train trestle with trees and houses in the background.

The Duck Pond

Walk across the historic train trestle (now footbridge) and play at the accessible park, swim out to the floating dock, lounge on the beach, or have lunch at the covered picnic area.

A display of candles under a green canopy at an outdoor market with trees and vehicles in the background.

Markets

Lake Cowichan and the surrounding communities put on various markets throughout the year. In summer, the Honeymoon Bay Market runs every Saturday and the Laketown Makers Market every Sunday. In the Winter, Lake Cowichan, Honeymoon Bay, and Youbou all hold Christmas markets.

Person kayaking in a lime green kayak on the water, wearing a white shirt with a logo and holding an orange paddle.

Kaatza Adventures

Run by the Ts'uubaa-asatx (Lake Cowichan’s First Nation), Kaatza Adventures has Kayak, Canoe, Stand Up Paddleboard, and Water Bike rentals. Explore the Cowichan Lake and enjoy the beautiful lake and mountain views.

A person with a backpack and a dog on a grassy hilltop surrounded by trees, overlooking a landscape of mountains and water under a partly cloudy sky.

Hiking and Biking

A local volunteer group, the Cowichan Lake Trail Blazers, work hard to build and maintain numerous trails for locals and tourists to enjoy hiking and biking out in our beautiful forests and mountains. Get out and enjoy hikes like the Skutz Falls Loop, Robertson River Falls, and Bald Mountain.

Exterior view of Cowichan Lake Sports Arena at dusk with parking lot in foreground and trees in the background.

Cowichan Lake Arena

The sports arena is the hub of our community. From hockey, to free skates, figure skating, curling, and a gym, they welcome users of all ages and offer a little bit of everything. They also frequently put on various classes and host family friendly activities.

Four people playing pickleball on outdoor courts with a chain-link fence and trees in the background.

Pickleball

Pickleball has been played in Lake Cowichan since 2011 and there is even a Cowichan Lake Pickleball Club! Players can be found at the community halls in Youbou and Honeymoon Bay as well as the outdoor court in Lake Cowichan. The club holds an annual open tournament each summer.

A person standing on a paddle board near rocks by Cowichan Lake, holding a paddle above their head against a backdrop of forested mountains and a clear blue sky.

Pristine Paddle Board Adventures

Stand-up paddle board rentals and tours in Gordon Bay Provincial Park on Cowichan Lake! They offer paddle board yoga, paddle board skills development classes, and ladies nights on Thursdays.

Man riding a water-powered surfboard on Cowichan Lake, with a partly cloudy sky and trees in the background.

Wakefoiling Charters

Dry Dock Marine Group is offering wakefoil charters on Cowichan Lake this summer! This new board uses a foil that planes underwater and attaches to a traditional wakesurf board with a mast for a wave riding experience unlike anything you’ve tried before.