Courtenay
Paleantology and the largest Music-Fest!

Courtenay, a city on the east coast of Vancouver Island, just inland from the coastal town of Comox, is home to many unique attractions. With a population of over 20,000 residents, the city is the largest in the beautiful Comox Valley.

It is proud to be an “Active Community” which is an initiative put in place several years ago in the Comox Valley to encourage more outdoor recreation and activities.

Nearby Mount Washington provides great skiing and other winter sports.

An interesting addition to the community is an outdoor skateboard park, which is one of the largest and best in all of British Columbia.

Perhaps the most unique destination in the area and one that is absolutely worth a visit is the Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park.

Horne Lake is home to some of the largest caves in the region. Guided tours are available year round to take you inside the caves and go spelunking. It is a great activity for nearly everybody, although not for children under 5. You will really feel as if you have been transported to some different planet; there are no permanent lights or man-made features within the cave.

The park itself is also home to some great fishing and canoeing. There are also campsites of all kinds at Horne Lake which make it a great place to spend a night, or several.

The Sid Williams Theatre is home to all forms of performance arts as well as other cultural events. The theatre society makes a great effort of outreach to the community to spread the importance and preach the value of the arts.

There is also the Comox Valley Art Gallery which houses everything from paintings and arts and crafts to film strips. There are both permanent and changing exhibits, as well as special events and workshops.

Another popular tourist spot is the Courtenay and District Museum and Paleontology Centre. This is a diverse complex that can offer you a glimpse into the history of the Comox Valley area and its people.

There are wide varieties of exhibits ranging from art to artifacts. However, the highlights are in the fossil exhibits and tours. You can visit excavation sites and partake in programs that educate while you explore and get hands on with history.

See for yourself 80 million year old fossils and dried sea beds. Visitors can even stay at the
Capes Escape, a 1930s era home that is secluded within the area and is a great relaxation spot.

The area is also the site of MusicFest, the largest music festival in all of Vancouver Island. The yearly event typically takes place in July and features musicians of all styles and sounds and is generally a time for celebration and fun.

From MusicFest to the Paleontology Centre to the caves at Horne Lake, there is something for everybody at Courtenay and it certainly can be enjoyed as either a quiet, outdoors retreat or an action packed family vacation.

You must discover the Comox valley and the Courtenay area for yourself!

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