Vacation rentals in Shawnigan Lake

Located in the south of Vancouver Island, the cottage community of Shawnigan Lake is a hotspot for outdoor adventure, drawing summer visitors who come to enjoy the long days of swimming, hiking, and bird watching. Perched on a freshwater lake of the same name, the village is a magnet for anglers looking to reel in fat rainbow trout and smallmouth bass. The sea life is much larger 15 minutes away in Cowichan Bay, where you’re likely to spot orcas and humpback whales, as well as seals and sea lions.

In Shawnigan Lake, you’re never far from parks and trails. On the western shore of the lake is West Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park, with its popular beach and picnic areas. A little farther away you’ll find Koksilah Provincial Park, known mostly for its excellent hiking and biking trails. One of the area’s most recognizable landmarks is the Kinsol Trestle. Named for the nearby King Soloman Mine, it stands over 43 metres high, making it one of the tallest free-standing timber trestle structures in the world.

Not only a destination for nature enthusiasts, Shawnigan Lake is part of the Cowichan Valley Regional District, famous for its lavender farms, cideries, wineries, and music festivals. In the village, you can browse the general stores, a small historical museum, and, if you time your visit right, a pop-up arts and crafts show.

Shawnigan Lake is located in Canada’s only maritime Mediterranean climate zone, resulting in some of the warmest temperatures in the country. As a lakeside destination, an ideal time to book a Shawnigan lake rental is summer — not only for water sports, but you’ll also be able to take advantage of the many free live outdoor events that take place, including 39 Days of July, a celebration of live music and arts that has been going strong for decades. July also sees a popular folk festival and country music festival. Autumn and winter will bring cooler temperatures and fewer visitors, the perfect opportunity to explore the area’s hiking trails without worrying about hot weather and trail traffic.

Old Baldy

The journey up Old Baldy Mountain is one of Vancouver Island’s must-do hikes. At the top, you may stumble across the hidden swing, where you can take a ride for a unique photo opportunity. From the summit, you can view Shawnigan Lake on one side and the Saanich Peninsula and Gulf Islands on the other side.

Cowichan Bay

Eco-tours are a popular way to experience Cowichan Bay, and allow you to spot harbour porpoises, grey and minke whales, and other wildlife on the Salish Sea. In the seaside village, you can wander into shops and art galleries and learn more about the float homes and ships lining the coast at the Maritime Museum.

Duncan

Twenty minutes away, Duncan is known as the City of Totems. Take a self-guided tour of 44 totem poles hand-carved by Indigenous artists, the world’s largest outdoor collections of its kind. Duncan also has a rainbow crosswalk, indoor art galleries, a year-round outdoor farmers’ market, and the chance to sample lavender wine or one of the 100 varieties of tea on offer.