r/Cowichan • u/SnooMuffins9011 • Aug 17 '26
Boating on Lake Cowichan
I am from Shawnigan Lake, where I enjoy ripping my 12 foot sturdily built Lund Aluminum boat with a fantastic 8 hp motor.
I’ve always been curious what lake Cowichan has to offer, more specifically, my friend and I are wanting to circumnavigate the lake over two days, for fun.
I am curious if anyone could offer some insight, as to whether it’s doable, recommended, etc.
We are both experienced outdoorsmen with a knack for exploring. So think of this as an expedition style adventure.
Tia
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u/random9212 Aug 18 '26
We have a similar boat with a 9.9 on it that we all grew up learning to drive around Cowichan Lake. You will be ok in the south arm (where Lake Cowichan is) or probably the north arm (down to Youbou) pretty much all day. If you want to do the big part of the lake down to Caycuse or Heather Campground I would suggest doing it early in the day or after the wind stops blowing through the straight from Youbou as it can get pretty rough in that part of the lake. If you do get caught in rough weather slow down and stick near shore and it will probably be OK.
I would suggest launching from Lake Cowichan spending the morning in the south arm check out Bear Lake, Honeymoon Bay, and Gordon Bay, when it calms down head towards Heather, or wherever you are staying for the night (if camping along the shore makes sure you are not on private property). Then spend the morning making your way back towards youbou preferably before 10-11 but if you are going towards Youbou you should be going with the wind so it shouldn't be as bad as trying to fight it. You should also be ok around Heather for most of the day (I am not as experienced with this part of the lake but is has always seemed calmer than the rest of the lake when I was there) of you would rather bomb there first thing and spend the first day in that part of the lake, but if you were to do that then launching from Youbou is probably a better option.
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u/__phil1001__ Aug 18 '26
Sharks, absolutely furious, punch through that boat like paper. Take steak with you to throw at them as a distraction.
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u/misfittroy Aug 18 '26
I hear the orcas out there are really aggressive too and go after your outboard
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u/Primary-Management97 Aug 19 '26
It's about a 2 hour slow cruise up the lake. There's a good boat ramp down by the Youbou pub. Enjoy!
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u/Apprehensive-Hat-382 Aug 21 '26 edited Aug 21 '26
The mouth of shaw creek is a really cool fishing spot. And the beach west of the old mill site is a good camp spot Gordon Bay park has a cool island you can picnic on Just around the corner from that is a place called paradise lots of people raft their boats up on sunny afternoons. Especially to help avoid the wind. As posted above, beware the 2 o'clock chop
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u/Impossible_Coffee716 Aug 18 '26
I reckon you want to take that Lund out to Bonnie Doon. What you’ll like about it there is the serenity
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u/spocq Aug 18 '26
On hot days there is a lake breeze blowing east to west that starts around 10 or 11 AM that can surprise you in its intensity.