Courtenay
Around Courtenay
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Town and around · British Columbia · 63k people
Courtenay
Locals say Comox Valley
Where ocean, forest, and community thrive.
Sunset OrangeOcean BlueForest Green
Welcome to the Comox Valley! Whether you're here for the mountains, the ocean, or the friendly small-town vibe, you'll find plenty to love. Grab a coffee and join the conversation.
Clubs for Courtenay
No clubs for Courtenay yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Courtenay. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Courtenay. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Courtenay and District Museum Local history and paleontology exhibits.
- Filberg Park Historic gardens and seaside trails.
- Comox Marina Hub for fishing charters and boat watching.
- Goose Spit Park Sandy beach with views of the Strait of Georgia.
- Courtenay Riverway Paved path along the Courtenay River.
- Nymph Falls Popular swimming hole on the Puntledge River.
- Outdoors Hiking Mount Washington's alpine trails
- Outdoors Swimming at Nymph Falls
- With kids Courtenay Airpark
- With kids Lewis Park
- Evenings Craft brewery taprooms
- Evenings Live music at the Comox Valley Cultural Centre
- Locals love farm stands
Through the year
- Vancouver Island MusicFest July Three-day roots and blues festival at the Exhibition Grounds.
- Filberg Festival July Juried arts and crafts show in Filberg Park.
- Comox Valley Exhibition August Agricultural fair with midway and livestock.
- Comox Valley Marathon April Road race through Courtenay and Comox.
Mild and maritime, with wet winters and dry, sunny summers. Best time to be out is June through September. Best: June through September
Getaways
- Campbell River Fishing and gateway to Strathcona Park
- Powell River Scenic ferry ride and coastal town
- Parksville Beaches and family resorts
- Nanaimo City amenities and harbor
Local flavour
Teams
- Comox Valley Glacier Kings Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League
Also rooting for Vancouver Canucks (NHL), BC Lions (CFL), Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS), Toronto Blue Jays (MLB)
Eat and drink
- Spot prawns Local delicacy, often caught in the surrounding waters
- Oysters Fresh from nearby Baynes Sound
- Sockeye salmon Iconic Pacific salmon, grilled or smoked
- Craft beer Thriving local brewery scene
Where people go
- Ski hills Mount Washington Alpine Resort is a local icon
- Ocean beaches Sandy shores and rocky coves along the Strait of Georgia
- Old-growth forests Ancient cedars and Douglas firs in the surrounding mountains
- Farm stands and farmers markets Abundant local produce, from berries to vegetables
- Fishing docks Where commercial and recreational boats bring in the catch
- Hiking trails From easy coastal walks to challenging alpine routes
Heritage and traditions
The Comox Valley is proud of its deep connection to the land—from ancient fossils and First Nations heritage to the vibrant arts and outdoor lifestyle that define everyday life here.
This time of year in Courtenay
- Salmon run August to October In late summer, salmon return to the rivers, drawing onlookers and anglers.
Say it like a local: “The Valley” — A term for the region, used affectionately
Festivals
- Vancouver Island MusicFest July A major summer music festival in Courtenay featuring folk, roots, and world music.
- Filberg Festival August An arts and crafts festival held in the beautiful Filberg Park in Comox.
- Cumberland Wild June A community celebration of Cumberland's mining and logging history with parades and games.
- Comox Valley Seafood Festival September A celebration of local seafood, including spot prawns and oysters, with cooking demos and tastings.
Landmarks with a story
- Courtenay and District Museum Houses the famous Courtenay elasmosaur fossil and exhibits on local natural and human history.
- Cumberland Chinatown Remnants of a once-thriving Chinese community that supported the coal mines.
- Cumberland Coal Mine Sites Abandoned mine entrances and old equipment tell the story of the region's coal mining boom.
- St. Andrew's United Church A historic church in Courtenay dating back to the early 20th century.
Food traditions
- Spot prawn season Every May, locals eagerly await the spot prawn harvest, often buying them fresh off the boats at the Comox Marina.
- Oyster shucking The region's oyster farms supply local restaurants and markets; shucking and grilling oysters is a summer ritual.
- Salmon barbecue Grilling fresh sockeye or coho over an open fire is a staple at community gatherings and family dinners.
Music and arts
- Comox Valley Art Gallery A vibrant hub for contemporary art exhibitions and community art programs.
- Cumberland music scene A small town with a surprisingly lively music community, hosting house concerts and local bands.
A little history
- 1880s–1960s Coal mining in Cumberland
- 1988 Discovery of the Courtenay elasmosaur fossil
- 1915 Founding of Courtenay as a city
- 1914 Arrival of the railway connecting the valley to Vancouver Island
Rivalries
- Comox Valley Glacier Kings vs. Campbell River Storm Junior hockey rivalry.
- Courtenay vs. Comox Friendly rivalry over which is the better hub.
- Game day Junior hockey at the Comox Valley Glacier Kings
- Game day Fishing derbies
- Outdoors Fossil hunting along the Puntledge River
- Outdoors Kayaking in the Comox Estuary
- With kids Fossil hunting at the Puntledge River
- With kids Beachcombing at Goose Spit
Residents speak a relaxed Canadian English, with a few local references like 'the Island' for Vancouver Island and 'the Valley' for the Comox Valley. Pronunciation is generally standard, with a slight West Coast drawl.
Only here
- The Courtenay elasmosaur, a prehistoric marine reptile, was discovered here and is a local icon.
- The Comox Valley is one of the few places in the world where you can find ammonite fossils on the beach.
- Cumberland's Chinatown was once one of the largest on Vancouver Island.
- The airpark in Courtenay allows small aircraft to land on a grass strip right in the city.
New here? A few tips
- Embrace the rain: pack a waterproof jacket and enjoy the lush green landscapes.
- Try the local seafood: spot prawns in May and oysters year-round are must-haves.
- Learn about the K'ómoks First Nation: their history and culture are integral to the area.
- Get outdoors: hiking, skiing, and beach walks are the best ways to meet people.
- Traffic is light, but watch for deer and other wildlife on the roads.
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Nearby
Every areaStrathconaBritish ColumbiaWhere the wild coast meets the quiet forestPowell RiverBritish ColumbiaWhere the ocean meets the forest, and community thrives.Campbell RiverBritish ColumbiaWhere the river meets the seaPort AlberniBritish ColumbiaWhere the rainforest meets the PacificParksvilleBritish ColumbiaWhere the forest meets the sea, and time slows down.Central IslandBritish ColumbiaSalt air, old growth, and small-town warmthNanaimoBritish ColumbiaIsland life, harbour charmLadysmithBritish ColumbiaA friendly harbour on the edge of the wild.
Courtenay. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.