Cowichan Bay, BC

British Columbia · Victoria Metro

Cowichan Bay is a small town in British Columbia with a population of 2,799.

Population source: Wikidata (dated census and official estimates), GeoNames. Climate: WorldClim 2.1 normals (1970-2000), NASA POWER. Updated August 2026

2,799 Population 313/sq mi density
49°F Avg Temperature

Discover Cowichan Bay, BC

Explore over 40 sections covering people, economy, housing, health, crime, climate, community, costs, trends, schools, colleges, hospitals, treatment centers, industries, museums, libraries, breweries, farmers markets, grocery stores, pharmacies, campgrounds, parks, trails, stadiums, ski resorts, daycare centers, nursing homes, churches, fire stations, cell towers, bridges, power plants, EV stations, prisons, radio stations, airports, police stations, post offices, Amtrak stations, superfund sites, UNESCO sites, and more.
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How Cowichan Bay Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population2,799
Density313/mi²

Climate

Avg Temp49°F (10°C)
Rain45.9 in/yr
Elevation292 ft (89 m)
Cowichan Bay experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 62°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 45.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 292 feet.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 62°F Jul (17°C)
Annual Average49.1°F
9% below US avg
January Average37°F (3°C)
July Average62°F (17°C)

Geography

Elevation292 ft (89 m)
Area8.9 sq mi (23.2 km²)
Population Density313/sq mi
Coordinates48.7337°N, 123.6174°W
TimezoneAmerica/Vancouver

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 45.9"
21% above US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Jan) 7.80"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.91"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

463 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M5.0. Most recent: M2.9 on Aug 21, 2025.

Apr 14, 1990 4 km ENE of Deming, Washington M5.0 107 km
Jun 23, 1997 2 km NE of Enetai, Washington M4.9 148 km
Apr 25, 2003 26 km W of Brinnon, Washington M4.8 121 km
Feb 21, 2025 28 km W of Squamish, Canada M4.8 107 km
Jan 30, 2009 6 km ESE of Lofall, Washington M4.7 130 km
Jan 24, 2020 46 km WNW of Neah Bay, Washington M4.5 117 km
Mar 3, 2025 2025 Orcas Island, Washington M4.5 61 km
Jun 24, 1997 19 km SSW of Gibsons, Canada M4.4 56 km
Apr 2, 1990 2 km ENE of Deming, Washington M4.3 105 km
Feb 19, 1991 31 km E of Squamish, Canada M4.3 125 km
Jan 23, 2001 9 km NNW of Ucluelet, Canada M4.3 147 km
Feb 22, 1996 31 km NNE of South Pender Harbour, Canada M4.1 131 km
Sep 21, 2002 9 km SW of Friday Harbor, Washington M4.1 46 km
Feb 23, 2017 11 km NE of Hoodsport, Washington M4.1 146 km
Apr 3, 1990 3 km ENE of Deming, Washington M4.0 106 km
Apr 14, 1990 2 km ESE of Deming, Washington M4.0 105 km
Sep 26, 2024 12 km E of Saanichton, Canada M4.0 32 km
Dec 27, 2012 12 km E of North Saanich, Canada M4.0 28 km
Jul 1, 2009 4 km SE of Coupeville, Washington M4.0 94 km
Nov 20, 1994 26 km N of Ucluelet, Canada M3.9 149 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tsunami History

3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 38.0 m (125 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
2007 CHEHALIS LAKE, CHILLIWACK Meteorological 38.0 m - 143 km
1891 WASHINGTON Eruption + Earthquake 2.4 m - 82 km
1820 CAMANO ISLAND, WA Meteorological - - 119 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Nearby Volcanoes

5 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Garibaldi (132 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Garibaldi Stratovolcano 2,678 m (8,786 ft) -8060 132 km
Baker Stratovolcano(es) 3,285 m (10,778 ft) 1880 132 km
Garibaldi Lake Volcanic field 2,316 m (7,598 ft) Unknown 141 km
Cayley Volcanic Field Volcanic field 2,375 m (7,792 ft) Unknown 156 km
Glacier Peak Stratovolcano 3,213 m (10,541 ft) 1700 197 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Sorted by distance.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 37°F (3°C) 7.8 in Coldest, Wettest
February 40°F (4°C) 4.8 in
March 43°F (6°C) 4.3 in
April 47°F (8°C) 2.8 in
May 53°F (11°C) 1.9 in
June 58°F (14°C) 1.5 in
July 62°F (17°C) 0.9 in Driest
August 63°F (17°C) 1.2 in Warmest
September 58°F (14°C) 1.3 in
October 50°F (10°C) 4.3 in
November 42°F (6°C) 7.7 in
December 38°F (3°C) 7.5 in

Cowichan Bay has a seasonal temperature swing of 25°F / from 37°F in January to 63°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 45.9 inches, with January being the wettest month (7.8") and July the driest (0.9").

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Schools in Cowichan Bay

1 public schools (OpenStreetMap data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Sunrise Waldorf School - - - -
View full schools details →

Radio Stations near Cowichan Bay

7 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality
CBC Radio One - Victoria, BC (MP3 stream) features, news MP3 128 kbps
CJVB-AM 1470 "Fairchild Radio" Vancouver, BC multicultural, multilingual AAC 50 kbps
CKAY 91.7 "Coast FM" Nanaimo, BC hits, nanaimo AAC+ 57 kbps
CHKG-FM 96.1 "Fairchild Radio" Vancouver, BC multicultural, multilingual AAC 50 kbps
CJSU-FM 89.7 "Sun FM" Duncan, BC adult hits AAC+ 57 kbps
CHWF-FM "The Wolf 106.9" Nanaimo, BC active rock AAC+ 48 kbps
CKWV-FM 102.3 "The Wave" Nanaimo, BC hot adult contemporary AAC+ 48 kbps

Museums in Cowichan Bay

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
BC Forest Discovery Centre
British Columbia Aviation Museum
Central Saanich Fire Museum
Centre of the Universe
Chemainus Valley Museum
Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre
Cowichan Valley Museum
Crofton Old School Museum
Hand of Man Museum
Henderson Hangar
Heritage Acres
Main Hangar
Quw'utsun' Cultural and Conference Centre
Restoration Hangar
Shawnigan Lake Museum
Sidney Museum and Archives

Libraries in Cowichan Bay

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
Greater Victoria Public Library - Bruce Hutchison Branch0.0
GVPL: Central Saanich Branch0.0
Piers Island Library0.0
Salt Spring Island Public Library0.0
Sidney Archives0.0
VIRL: Chemainus Branch0.0
VIRL: Cowichan Branch0.0
VIRL: Sidney / North Saanich Branch0.0
VIRL: South Cowichan Branch0.0

Farmers Markets in Cowichan Bay

NameAddressSeasonHoursOrganicWebsite
Chemainus Public Market
Duncan Farmers’ Market
Great Greens Market
Grove Hall Farm, Italian Kitchen, Market & Deli
North Saanich Farm Market
Peninsula Country Market
Salt Spring Saturday Market
Salt Spring Tuesday Farmers’ Market
The Old Farm Market

Hotels in Cowichan Bay

1 hotels within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

OceanFront Suites at Cowichan Bay

Cafes in Cowichan Bay

2 cafes within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Drumroaster Coffee
The Udder Guys

Dentists in Cowichan Bay

1 dentists within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Cobble Hill Dental

Veterinaries in Cowichan Bay

1 veterinaries within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Kinsol Veterinary Clinic

Shopping Malls in Cowichan Bay

1 shopping malls within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Valleyview Centre

Breweries in Cowichan Bay

NameTypeAddressPhoneWebsite
Category 12
Red Arrow Brewery
Salt Spring Island Ales
Serious Brewing
Small Block Brewery

Ski Resorts Near Cowichan Bay

3 ski resorts within range.

Resort Slopes (km) Lifts Peak (m) Price Season Night Park
Mt Seymour 0.0 - - $0 - - -
Grouse Mountain 0.0 - - $0 - - -
Cypress Mountain 0.0 - - $0 - - -

Airports Near Cowichan Bay

40 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Vancouver International AirportYVRLarge Airport
Victoria International AirportYYJLarge Airport
Boundary Bay AirportYDTMedium Airport
Friday Harbor AirportFRDMedium Airport
Nanaimo AirportYCDMedium Airport
Orcas Island AirportESDMedium Airport
William R Fairchild International AirportCLMMedium Airport
Big Andy Airport-Small Airport
Blue Heron Field-Small Airport
Blue Ribbon Airport-Small Airport
Burden Field-(Rabbit Run) Airport-Small Airport
Clam Harbor Airport-Small Airport
Crane Island AirstripCKRSmall Airport
Crow Valley Airport-Small Airport
Delta Heritage Air Park-Small Airport
Diamond Point Airstrip-Small Airport
Duncan AirportDUQSmall Airport
Friday West Airport-Small Airport
Grand View International Airport-Small Airport
King Airport-Small Airport
Lawson Airpark-Small Airport
Long Harbour Airport-Small Airport
Lopez Island AirportLPSSmall Airport
Michell Airpark-Small Airport
Olympic Field-Small Airport
Point Roberts Airpark-Small Airport
Port Angeles Cgas Airport-Small Airport
Quamichan Lake (Raven Field) Airport-Small Airport
Rake's Glen Airport-Small Airport
Roche Harbor AirportRCESmall Airport
Rucilla's Roost Airport-Small Airport
Sechelt-Gibsons AirportYHSSmall Airport
Sekiu Airport-Small Airport
Sequim Valley AirportSQVSmall Airport
Shaw Island AIrport-Small Airport
Stuart Island AirparkSSWSmall Airport
Stuart Island West Airport-Small Airport
Waldron AirstripWDNSmall Airport
Wilding Farm Airport-Small Airport
Windsock Airport-Small Airport

Post Offices in Cowichan Bay

1 post offices.

Post OfficeAddress
Cowichan Bay

Churches & Religious Organizations in Cowichan Bay

1 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
St. Andrew's Church

Explore Near Cowichan Bay

UFO Sightings
1
Reported UFO sightings from the National UFO Reporting Center database
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UFO Sightings Near Cowichan Bay

1 UFO sighting reports from the National UFO Reporting Center (NUFORC) found near Cowichan Bay.

Name Year Description
Cowichan station (canada), BC 1963 It is my belief that some type of craft was hovering above us&#44 it was certainly not a heliocopter.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Cowichan Bay

What is the population of Cowichan Bay?

Cowichan Bay has a population of 2,799 residents and is located in British Columbia. The population density is 313 people per square mile, spread across 8.9 square miles.

What is the weather like in Cowichan Bay?

Cowichan Bay has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winter temperatures average 37°F in January, while summers reach an average of 62°F in July. Annual rainfall totals 45.9 inches.

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