Cowichan Lake is one of my favorite spots to go kayaking, since it’s over 30 km in length you’ll hardly run out of space to paddle around. Cowichan Lake is the second largest fresh water lake on the Southern end of Vancouver Island. Since it’s a fresh water lake, that means it’s perfect for a summer paddle that turns into a swim. The water is always as refreshing and clean as it looks, so hoping in on a sunny day will be an amazing and relaxing way to end the afternoon.
Practicing ocean safety is always a good idea, and will help beginners feel more confident and safe when paddling! Wilderness Kayaking, which is a Maple Bay based company, offers awesome workshops on rolling your kayak, ocean rescues, navigational and remote first aid, all of which are super important to know when you’re out paddling! Last summer the Ramada staff got together for a paddle in Maple Bay and it was a great team bonding experience! While you’re learning all those awesome tricks, you’ll be out in the water completely surrounded by trees and beautiful forestry, what a great place to do some ocean safety learning!
Cowichan Bay Kayaking, as well as many other companies, offer one of the coolest tours in the Valley. Sunset, Moonlight & Bioluminescence Kayaking Tour!! If you’re not from around here or from the West Coast then this is going to be a tour worth bragging about to your friends and family back home. They start the tours just before sunset, so that way you’ll be out on the water and can watch the sky change colors as the sun goes down. You’ll start in The Bluenose Marina and slowly paddle around the bay while waiting for the first sight of bioluminescence as the night darkens. Experiencing bioluminescence first hand is a sight like no other, it’s hard to describe just how beautiful it really is, so the only way to get the right idea is to experience it for yourself!! Check out the link to their website for a schedule of summer time full moons!
Sealegs Kayaking - Ladysmith Wilderness Kayaking - Maple Bay Orka Adventures - Lake Cowichan Cowichan Bay Kayaking - Lake Cowichan