Download GPX file for this article
49.687778-124.994444Full screen dynamic map

From Wikivoyage
Jump to navigation Jump to search

For other places with the same name, see Courtenay (disambiguation).

Courtenay is a city on the east coast of Vancouver Island, in British Columbia.

Get in

Situated on the east coast of central Vancouver Island, British Columbia, the Comox Valley stretches from Fanny Bay to Saratoga Beach and includes the communities of Courtenay, Comox and Cumberland, as well as Denman and Hornby Islands. The Comox Valley is accessible by land, sea or air - choose your favourite mode of travel and let the journey become the start of your holiday!

By car

The Comox Valley is a three-hour (220 km/137 mile) drive north from Victoria or a 75-minute (107 km/66 mile) drive from Nanaimo, where the ferry terminals of Departure Bay and Duke Point are located. Drive Highway #19, the new inland, four-lane expressway. From Highway #19 take exits #101, #117, #127, #130 or #144 to access various points in the Comox Valley. Visitors can also take the scenic Oceanside Route on the old Island Highway #19A.

By Ferry

Regular ferry service links the British Columbia Mainland and Washington State to the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island. Riding a ferry provides an opportunity to stretch your legs, get something to eat, browse the gift shop and observe marine traffic and wildlife. It is a mini-cruise in the middle of your vacation.

Take advantage of discounted ferry fares with the Sunshine Coast CirclePac. This Circle Tour offers four ferry/highway routes linking the Comox Valley with the Mainland and lower Vancouver Island. A truly unique way to make the journey a memorable part of the holiday!

From the BC Mainland, you travel to Vancouver Island via BC Ferries. Contact BC Ferries at 1-888-223-3779 for route information and at 1-888-724-5223 for reservations on major routes.

  • Tsawwassen (Vancouver) to Swartz Bay (Victoria)
  • Tsawwassen (Vancouver) to Duke Point (Nanaimo)
  • Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver) to Departure Bay (Nanaimo)
  • Powell River to Comox
  • Prince Rupert to Port Hardy
  • Bella Coola to Port Hardy

From Washington State, you can travel to Vancouver Island via several routes. Schedules and information can be found at the Washington Ferries website.

  • Princess Marguerite: Seattle to Victoria
  • Victoria & San Juan Cruises: Bellingham to Victoria
  • Victoria Clipper: Seattle to Victoria
  • Victoria Express: Port Angeles to Victoria
  • Washington State Ferries: Anacortes to Victoria

By plane

Numerous direct flights from the Vancouver International Airport, Calgary International Airport and the Edmonton International Airport land daily at the Comox Valley Airport (YQQ) in Comox.

Pacific Coastal and Central Mountain Air also offers a convenient service to and from Vancouver. Call Pacific Coastal 1-800-663-2872 or Central Mountain Air 1-888-865-8585 for schedules and reservations.

WestJet Airlines operates non-stop flights from Comox to Calgary and Edmonton, with connections to other WestJet serviced airports out of Calgary. Call 1-888-937-8538 or 1-800-538-5696 for schedules and reservations.

Helijet International offers non-stop flights to and from Seattle Boeing Field to the Campbell River Airport, which is a 35-minute drive from the Comox Valley. Call 1-800-665-4354 for reservations and schedules.

Small aircraft and floatplanes can land at the Courtenay Airpark near downtown Courtenay. Call (250) 338-9814 for information.

By boat

Those travelling by boat will find a full range of facilities including moorage, showers, restaurants and shops adjacent to the Comox Marina. Contact the Comox Valley Harbour Authority at (250) 339-6041, for more information.

By train

The E & N Dayliner (VIA Rail), which used to make daily trips between Victoria and Courtenay, is currently out of service. It is hoped that the service will be restored sometime in mid 2013 if all the required funding is received. (Nanaimo Daily News April 12, 2012) This small train offers a behind the scenes view of rural communities and Vancouver Island forests. For schedules contact VIA Rail at 1-800-561-8630.

By bus

Daily bus service connects all parts of Vancouver Island with the Mainland. For passenger service and tour schedules contact Laidlaw Coachlines at 1-800-318-0818. Additionally Island Link Bus provides shuttle van services between Departure Bay Ferry Terminal and various locations in the Comox Valley.

Get around

Throughout the Comox Valley and surrounding areas, local bus and 24 hour taxi services are provided.

See

Do

Buy

Eat

Drink

Sleep

  • 1 Smith Lake Farm, 1481 Larkin Rd, Comox, B.C., +1 250 337-2051. Smith Lake Farm's agritourism suite, is a new two bedroom accommodation with all the amenities. Swim in the private lake in the summer or ski or snowboard Mt. Washington in the winter!
  • Courtenay River Vacation Homes, +1 250-703-0385. Three bedroom two story townhouse alongside the Puntledge river. Located in the heart of the Comox Valley and short drive to Mt. Washington Alpine Resort. Call for more information.

Go next

Routes through Courtenay
Port HardyCampbell River  N  S  Lighthouse CountryNanaimo



This city travel guide to Courtenay is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!