British Columbia Bed and Breakfast Canada Innkeepers Guild

Courtenay is a vibrant town on the northeast coast of Vancouver Island, with plenty of galleries, theatre, shops and restaurants. Allow enough time at a Courtenay Bed and Breakfast to explore all that this bustling town has to offer.

The land surrounding Courtenay is lovely and diverse. Some of the most lush farmland on Vancouver Island is here, along with some of the most rugged mountains of BC. The Courtenay River flows through the city before it empties into Comox Harbour, where it creates the Courtenay River Estuary; teaming with wildlife, the estuary is said to be the single most important wintering site for Trumpeter Swan in the world.

While here, don’t miss the largest marine reptile fossil ever discovered in BC – the elasmosaur. The Courtenay District Museum and Paleontology Centre has many magnificent exhibits about the natural, geological and human history of this part of British Columbia.

Outdoor recreation is a pleasure here. Enjoy expansive views from the Riverside Walkway, and hushed forest trails in the Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens. Kayak the protected waters of the Courtenay Estuary and Comox Harbour, or head out to rougher waters in the Strait of Georgia. Stroll the beaches of Goose Spit, and golf at one of the eight courses in the area. Anglers take note: some of the best saltwater fishing on Vancouver Island is found in the nearby waters of the Strait of Georgia.

Visitors flock to Courtenay BC throughout the summer for various festivals. June welcomes the North Island Hot Jazz Festival, while the Vancouver Island Music Fest keeps feet tapping in July. Drink beer in July at the Mount Washington Beer fest, or wine there in August. The Courtenay Rodeo, in mid August, is not to be missed. Be sure to look for the free concerts that take place all summer at Sims Millennium Park, along the river.

Courtenay BC is an excellent destination during the colder months, too. Ski and snowshoe at nearby Mount Washington and Forbidden Plateau once snow starts to fall. Enjoy a misty walk along the beach, and warm up by the fire at your Courtenay Bed and Breakfast.