Cowichan-Bay Travel Guide
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Duncan: 57km (35 miles) N of Victoria
The Cowichan Valley is one of the richest agricultural areas on Vancouver Island. The Cowichan Indians have lived in the valley for millennia, and today the band's reservation spreads immediately to the south of the town of Duncan. European settlers, drawn by the valley's deep soil and warm temperatures, established farms here in the 1870s. Although the orchards and sheep pastures of yore remain, the valley's providential location also makes it one of the few sites in western British Columbia for vineyards, a new and booming crop.
For visitors, the town of Duncan, at the center of the valley, may seem a pretty low-key place, but its centrality to excellent recreation and cultural sights makes it a comfortable hub for exploring this part of Vancouver Island. Cowichan Lake is a popular summertime getaway, with swimming beaches and boating. Maple Bay and Cowichan Bay are marina-dominated harbor towns with good pubs and restaurants, plus enchanting views. And don't forget those wineries: Cowichan Valley is home to several good ones, most with tasting rooms open to the public.
