"Honeymoon Bay, B.C. is a charming village situated on the shore of Lake Cowichan in the southeastern portion of Vancouver Island.



From the humble beginnings as a logging town, Honeymoon Bay was born of the need for employee housing in 1947. The Western Forest Industries Mill, which started working the area in 1929, built homes to accommodate its growing industry. WFI was the main employer and benefactor, ensuring that there were essential services and recreational facilities for the employees and their families.

In 1948, a cataclysmic fire destroyed the mill, leaving 500 people unemployed. Honeymoon Bay turned into a veritable ghost town. The little community saw some relief two years later, when the mill was rebuilt in 1950.

There are no longer any Western Forest Industries Mill employees. The mill closed in 1981. Many of the residents moved away to seek employment elsewhere, once again lowering the population.

Luckily, the modern day Honeymoon Bay is a beautiful tourist attraction. Vacationers come from all over to enjoy the abundant recreational activities in a gorgeous natural setting. Many people bring their RV’s to one of the RV parks, others camp. There are no hotels here, and motorized vehicle use is limited. The speed limit is 10 miles per hour and restricted to roads and parking lots. It may be a peaceful place, but there is lots to do for those that want to.

If you like walking trails, you’ll find them here in abundance. Commune with nature as you make your way through the forests or stroll along the sandy beach.

Gordon Bay Provincial Park is just 2.5 km. west of the village. Second growth Douglas Firs span the 49 hectare reserve in one of Vancouver Island’s sunniest valleys. Bring your camera to capture images of deer, racoons and red squirrels. If bird watching is more your style, there are several species – Yuinos, Mergansers, Stellar’s Jays, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, and Golden Eye Ducks.

The fishing in Gordon Bay Park is good, too. Catch your limit of Dolly Varden, rainbow, and Cutthroat trout in the lake, or branch off into the tributaries for Chum, Coho, and Spring salmon. Steelheads spawn in Cowichan river.

There is a spectacular 15 acre wild flower reserve at Honeymoon Bay. It was originally owned by the Western Forest Industries Mill, and is famous for being home to the greatest concentration of pink fawn lilies in British Columbia, as well as showcasing a couple of dozen other species.

Something else that people do in Honeymoon Bay is golf. There is a nine-hole course for tourists and residents to use. Just big enough to give your swing a workout and still leave time for hiking, touring, swimming and fishing.

Before you leave Honeymoon Bay, go by the Community Hall and see some of the paintings by well known Victoria artist, George Jenkins. Jenkins moved to the area to work at the logging camps and mill. During the slow times, he would paint mural sized pictures for businesses. The village displays this part of their heritage proudly.

Honeymoon Bay is charming, historic and beautiful.

For more information on relocating to Vancouver Island or on Lake Cowichan, Youbou or Honeymoon Bay real estate contact, Sandy Stinson of Team Stinson RE/MAX Lake Cowichan.

On the web http://www.remaxlakecowichan.com

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