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Welcome to Mill Bay

At the north end of the Malahat Drive, take a detour to Mill Bay and enjoy the village's quiet waterfront streets and wonderful Gulf Island views.

Mill Bay was established in the 1860s, twenty years after Victoria was founded. Its principal industry was lumber and milling, which was done at the mill on the bay.

The surrounding parks and scenery are lovely - perfect for hiking, cycling and boating. This is an ideal spot to spend a few days, basking in the sun and swimming in warm waters.

If the prospect of negotiating the steep Malahat Drive is daunting, B.C. Ferries operates a regularly scheduled service from Mill Bay to Brentwood Bay on the Saanich Peninsula, an alternative route to Victoria or the ferry terminal at Swartz Bay.

Population: 3,250

Location: Mill Bay is located on the southeast shore of Vancouver Island, about 26 miles (41 km) north of Victoria.

View a map of Wineries in the Cowichan Valley.

• At nearby Satellite Channel watch noisy harbour seals basking on floats and docks.

• Community events include the Brentwood Rowing Regatta hosted by the internationally acclaimed Brentwood College in April. Cowichan goes Country, an annual country music festival in May, and Art Affair, featuring the best of the South Cowichan artisans and galleries along with music and refreshments in August.

• Walkers should check out the Mill Bay Nature Park, with its easy oceanfront trails. Seabirds congregate on the shallow muddy waters of a broad intertidal beach.

• Bamberton Provincial Park is located just south of the Mill Bay ferry terminal, beside Hwy 1. A large swath of sandy beach, complete with changing facilities, fronts on the Saanich Inlet here. Dozens of picnic tables sit on the terraces slopes above the beach, shaded by a fir-and-arbutus (madrona) foest. This is one of the more scenic locations on the inlet, and from here you look east towards Mount Baker on the mainland.

• Mill Bay Ferry Terminal

  Sail the straits and channels from Mill Bay to Ladysmith. Boaters will find moorage and supplies in Mill Bay.

• Travelling northwards, Mill Bay heralds the start of the Vineyards and Cideries of the Cowichan Valley, featuring five top vineyards and wineries, and the Merridale Cidery, just north of Mill Bay. Make a little room in your cellar for the wines and ciders of the Cowichan Valley!

• Beachcombers will enjoy Old Mill Park, Boatswain Bank and Mill Bay Beach.

• Golf: Golfers have a few golf courses in the area to choose from; Cowichan Golf and Country Club in Duncan (20 minutes from Crofton), Duncan Meadows Golf Course (15 minutes from Crofton), Mount Brenton Golf Course in Chemainus (10 minutes from Crofton), and Arbutus Ridge Golf and Country Club in nearby Cobble Hill. Golf Vacations on Vancouver Island.