Courtenay

Courtenay is a city of about 26,000 people (2016) on the east coast of Vancouver Island, in British Columbia. Together with the Town of Comox and the Village of Cumberland, Courtenay lies in an area known as the Comox Valley between the Beaufort Range and Comox Glacier in the west, and the Strait of Georgia in the east.

Understand

From its inception, Courtenay's economy relied heavily on the extraction of natural resources, like coal, logging, fishing, and agriculture. Over the years as this natural resource extraction decreased, Courtenay has focused its economic growth on supplying services to the large retiree community and the military families at CFB Comox, which is the largest employer in the Valley, supplying approximately 1,400 jobs. Tourism has also been steadily increasing.

History

For thousands of years before the first contact with European explorers, Courtenay had been the home to the Comox people now the K'ómoks First Nation. The K'ómoks people farmed the rich agricultural land, and proximity to the local waterways allowed for fishing and trade with nearby First Nations people. In the Comox language, K’omoks means "plenty" – resulting in the Valley being known as the "Land of Plenty". In 1792, Captain George Vancouver, anchored HMS Discovery in what soon would be known as the Comox Harbour and made contact with the First Nations people in the area.

The settlement of Courtenay by Europeans began in the spring of 1862. The first settlers were coal miners from Nanaimo who were drawn to the area, because it had been known as one of the best agricultural districts in the colony. The early settlers relied on the knowledge and help of the local First Nations people. They hired them for general labour and farm work, although they were paid low wages as were most non-white people during that time. Many of the settlers ended up marrying or living with First Nations women who provided trading and social connections to surrounding First Nations people.

In 1864, Robert Brown, leading the Vancouver Island Exploring Expedition, discovered coal deposits in the Comox Valley, and by 1888 Robert Dunsmuir purchased mining claims in the area. He eventually established a mine in Union, later renamed Cumberland, which brought an influx of settlers, and Chinese and Japanese immigrants. During the establishment of the mining and farming industry, the downtown of Courtenay developed on both sides of the Courtenay River, initially on the east side then the west. The two sides were eventually connected by a bridge in 1874.

Courtenay was incorporated as a town in 1915, and designated a city in 1953. The city was named after the Courtenay River, which in turn, was named after George William Courtenay, captain of the British ship HMS Constance, which was stationed in the area between 1846 and 1849. On 12 July 1915, a large fire ripped through 5th Street destroying much of the south side of the downtown. After much of the street was rebuilt, another fire hit the south side of 5th Street, again destroying many of the stores.

On 14 June 1946, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck just west of Courtenay, with the epicentre at Forbidden Plateau. The earthquake was felt as far north as Prince Rupert and as far south as Portland, Oregon. Many of the town's chimneys were destroyed, and there was some significant damage to the post office and the Courtenay elementary school. This was the largest earthquake to hit Vancouver Island, and the largest onshore earthquake in Canada on record. There were only two reported deaths.

Climate

The climate in Courtenay is very similar to that of the rest of Vancouver Island. In the summer months it can sometimes be considered to have a Mediterranean-like climate due to the low levels of precipitation and drying. In the spring and fall seasons, Courtenay tends to be quite cool and wet. It has one of the mildest winters in Canada. The high precipitation levels can be attributed to both the oceanic climate and also its proximity to the Insular Mountain range which results in the rain shadow effect.

Get in

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.

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

BC Ferries, toll-free: +1-888-223-3779. Operates ferries connecting coastal communities in British Columbia. (updated Jun 2022)

  • The nearest ferry terminal is in Comox (Little River), which has daily service from Powell River (Westview). Public transit is available Monday to Saturday between Courtenay and the Comox (Little River).

By private 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 ☏ +1 250 339-6041, for more information.

By plane
  • Helijet International offers non-stop flights to and from Seattle Boeing Field to the Campbell River Airport (YBL IATA), which is a 35-minute drive from the Comox Valley.

By bus
  • IslandLink Bus, . Operates daily using a hub and spoke bus service with hubs in Nanaimo and Buckley Bay. Trips run non-stop from the hub to the destination area. This system works well if direct travel would run by a hub anyway, but can result in significant detours if direct travel would not pass by either hub. Using this service, the hubs connect to Campbell River, Oyster River, Comox, Courtenay, Cumberland, Bowser, Parksville, Nanaimo, Duncan, and Mill Bay, and Victoria. As of January 30, 2023, service is also available to Port Alberni, Tofino, and Ucluelet, though trip frequency ranges from 3 days per week in the winter to daily in the summer. (updated Jan 2023)

Get around

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

By bus

BC Transit (Comox Valley Regional Transit System), ☏ +1-250-339-5453. (updated Mar 2022)

  • Although it is quite small with only 13 bus routes, it provides quick and inexpensive transportation throughout the Comox Valley, including Courtenay. From the main bus stop, on Cliffe Avenue in downtown Courtenay, there are buses that go to Comox, Cumberland, Royston, as far south as Fanny Bay, and as far north as Oyster River. BC Transit also operates a handyDART transportation service, for people who have a disability or require extra assistance.
  • Bus route 12 between Courtenay and Oyster River (35 to 45 minutes) operates Monday to Saturday, where passengers can transfer to BC Transit's Campbell River Transit System's bus route 6 to reach Campbell River (16 minutes to Willow Point, then transfer to routes 1, 2 or 3 to reach downtown Campbell River in another 15 to 20 minutes).

By taxi

See

Do
  • 🌍 Island Music Fest (Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds), ☏ +1 250-871-8463, . In mid-July, the largest music festival on Vancouver Island takes place in the Comox Valley. Three days of an eclectic mix of music. On-site camping. A shuttle bus brings people to the site all weekend. Day passes $100-130; weekend passes: adults $195-200, seniors $185-210, youth $120-130, children 12 & under free. 12% tax and service charges extra. (updated Apr 2018)
  • There are several other festivals in the area and they include the North Island Festival of Performing Arts, Fiddlefest, Comox Valley Highland Games and the Comox Valley Piano Society puts on performances at the Stan Hagen Theatre.
  • 🌍 Woodhus Slough. is a nature area especially for bird watching. It is midway between Courtenay and Campbell River, about 1.5 km north of the Miracle Beach Provincial Park turn-off. From Highway 19A turn onto the Salmon Point Road and continue to the end of the road to the Salmon Point Pub, the trail sign is on the right hand side of the Pub by the beach. It is an easy trail in good condition, 2 km long, and can take 35 minutes return. (updated Mar 2023)
  • Walking trails include:
  • 🌍 Mt. Washington Alpine Resort (from downtown Courtenay, take Cliffe Ave north to 1st St. and then turn right on 1st St. Take the next left onto Condensory Rd (Anderton Ave). Follow Condensory Rd to Piercy Rd. Turn left onto Piercy Rd and follow this to Hwy #19. Turn right onto Hwy #19. Turn left at the lights (Exit #130) and follow Strathcona Parkway up the mountain for 18 km. It is at the end of Strathcona Parkway), ☏ +1 250-338-1386, toll-free: +1-888-231-1499. The largest commercial ski area on Vancouver Island. Skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snow tubing, snow shoeing, sledding. Summer attractions such as mountain bike riding and hiking. The resort has a lot of on-mountain accommodation in the Alpine Village. (updated Apr 2018)

Provincial parks
  • 🌍 Kitty Coleman Provincial Park (about 10.7 km (6.6 mi) north of downtown Courtenay, is south of the mouth of the Oyster River just northeast of Courtenay). A park where visitors can swim, launch boats, fish, and camp near the ocean. (updated Mar 2023)

Learn

Buy
  • 🌍 I-Hos Gallery, 3310 Comox Rd, ☏ +1 250-339-7702, . Daily 10AM-5PM, closed on holidays. Run by the K'ómoks First Nation , it displays and sells modern and traditional BC coastal First Nations art, including masks, prints, gold and silver jewellery, and wood carvings produced by First Nations artists. The beautiful house front design of I-Hos Gallery incorporates a whale and the double-headed sea serpent, which represent important crests of the K’ómoks people. (updated Apr 2018)
  • 🌍 Comox Valley Farmers' Market (CVFM), Exhibition Grounds, 4839 Headquarters Rd (Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds), ☏ +1 250 218-6347, . Year-round (except for last two weeks of December): Sa 9AM-1PM. An open air market. A gathering place for farmers to sell directly to the consumer. free. (updated Mar 2023)

Eat
  • 🌍 Atlas Cafe, 250 6th St, ☏ +1 250-338-9838. W Th 8:30AM-9:30PM, F Sa 8:30AM-10PM, Su 8:30AM-3:30PM. Global cuisine. Mexican and Asian dishes, gourmet burgers, and many vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes, or add in tuna, salmon, pulled pork, roasted chicken. (updated Apr 2018)
  • 🌍 The Hen and Hog Cafe, 1190 Cliffe Ave, ☏ +1 250-871-7001. W-Su 7AM-2PM. Breakfast & brunch restaurant (updated Apr 2018)
  • 🌍 Manvirros Indian Grill, 1-450 Ryan Rd, ☏ +1 250-898-8858. Su-Th 11AM-2:30PM, 4PM-9PM, F Sa 11AM-2:30PM, 4PM-10PM. North Indian restaurant with vegetarian and gluten-free options. (updated Apr 2018)

Drink

Sleep

Connect

Cope

Newspaper

Hospital

Go next
  • Hornby Island - enjoy life on a smaller island, reached by traveling to Denman Island, then taking a another ferry to Hornby Island
  • Comox - neighbouring municipality in the Comox Valley
  • Powell River - accessible via ferry across the Georgia Strait on the Sunshine Coast
  • Mt. Washington Alpine Resort - alpine resort with skiing (downhill and cross country), snowboarding, and tubing in the winter and a number of hiking and mountain biking trails in the summer.
Routes through Courtenay
Port Hardy ← Campbell River ←  N  S  → Lighthouse Country → Nanaimo


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