Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island was chosen by Conde Naste magazine as the best Island in the Americas. Come and join us and find out why

Vancouver Island is often referred to as Canada’s California . The pacific ocean island paradise has also been voted as #1 island in Continental US and Canada two years running by readers of ‘Travel and Liesure" magazine.

Vancouver Island is a miniature capsule of British Columbia with mountains, old growth forests, undulating river, lush foliage and rolling fertile valleys. The picture to the right is that of Askew Wilderness Park right in the heart of Chemainus, but represents the many old growth forests throughout Vancouver island.

Chemainus is situated in the Cowichan Valley on the south end of Vancouver Island in an area known as "The Warm Land." This region boasts the highest mean temperature in all of Canada. Throughout the region, breathtaking ocean vistas unfold to offer many exciting outdoor water activities on river, lake and ocean . Our fertile lands offer interesting farm gate tours of wineries to ostrich farms and our rich cultural history reveals itself through museums , outdoor art galleries, Theatre & music in what is said to be the most intensely artist populated area in North America.

HOW TO FIND US!

DRIVING From Victoria

• Go NORTH on Island highway approximately 70 km or 43 miles (approximately 10 minutes north of Duncan)
• Turn RIGHT at the lights that also have welcome to Chemainus signs (Henry Rd.) .
• Turn LEFT at the stop at the bottom of the hill. (Chemainus Road)
• Follow Chemainus Rd. for approximately 1 mile and take your first RIGHT at the Chemainus Dinner Theatre.
• Carry on this road (Victoria > Croft Street) through 2 stop signs ( Oak street, then Pine Street) and you will see Castlebury (9910 Croft ) on the left .
• There is a driveway on either side of Castlebury . The first driveway is your driveway - Look for your name on a sign that indicates where your driveway is.

Driving From Nanaimo

• Go SOUTH on Island Highway for approximately 50 km. (Approximately 10 minutes south of Ladysmith)
• Turn LEFT at the lights that indicate the Chemainus turnoff on Henry Road
• Turn LEFT at the stop at the bottom of the hill. (Chemainus Road)
• Follow this for approximately 1 mile and take your first RIGHT at the Chemainus Dinner Theatre.
• Carry on this road (Victoria Street > Croft Street) through 2 stop signs ( Oak street, then Pine Street) and you will see Castlebury (9910 Croft St.) on the left .
• There is a driveway on either side of Castlebury . The second driveway is your driveway - Look for your name on a sign that indicates where your driveway is.

Travel Information:

• BC Ferries schedules, rates, and routes
  Nanaimo Departure Bay - North Vancouver Horseshoe Bay
  and Nanaimo Duke Point - Tswassen (South Vancouver)
  Also ferries to other smaller islands from Nanaimo
• HarbourLynx Ferry service- direct Nanaimo harbour to downtown Vancouver (check out the Event specials)
• Victoria Clipper
• Island Bus Lines- Island service
• Harbour Air Seaplanes serving Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Richmond, and the Gulf Islands, and scenic tours.
• Nanaimo Cassidy Airport (15 minutes north of Chemainus
• Victoria Airport (1 1/4 hours south of Chemainus)