Local Favorite
Best sunset spot in Comox
Head to Goose Spit around 7pm in summer. Bring a blanket and watch the sun set behind the mountains. The parking lot fills up fast on weekends, so arrive early or bike there!
Locals' Tips
Insider advice from locals about living in and exploring the Comox Valley. Real tips from real people who know this place best.
20 tips
Local Favorite
Storm watching season is underrated
November through February, head to Kye Bay or Point Holmes during a big storm. The waves crashing against the rocks are spectacular. Bring waterproof everything and hot chocolate in a thermos. It's one of those experiences that makes you feel alive!
Skip the crowds at Nymph Falls, swim at Barber's Hole instead
Nymph Falls Nature Park gets packed on hot weekends, but keep walking upriver past the main swimming spot and you'll hit Barber's Hole — a calm, clear pool ringed by mossy rock ledges. Same park, way fewer people, and it's a nice spot to just sit with your feet in the water too.
Benino Gelato is also a good coffee-bean stop
If you're after good beans rather than another coffee shop to sit in, it's worth checking the retail coffee at Benino Gelato in Comox. Locals have flagged the beans as unusually good quality, with espresso that's still reasonably priced compared to other spots around the valley.
Borrow seeds from the library, literally
The Courtenay branch of the Vancouver Island Regional Library runs a seed library with Lush Valley and the Comox Valley Growers & Seed Savers. You can borrow up to three packets per visit - just sign the sheet with the date and your first name. (Comox library has one too!)
Cumberland's recycling drop-off is free
If you've got cardboard, Styrofoam, plastics, or scrap metal to get rid of, you don't need to pay to get into the Cumberland landfill. The recycling area is before the weigh scales, so you can pull in, drop off eligible recyclables for free, and leave without going through the landfill process.
Gartley Beach warms up on the incoming tide
Gartley Beach near Royston is at its nicest for swimming when the tide is coming in — the shallow bay has had time to warm in the sun, so the water can be noticeably warmer than you'd expect. It's more of a sandy-at-low-tide, kid-exploring spot than a classic beach. One thing to know: skip it during herring season, the smell is not for everyone.
A free seed library on Robb Avenue
There's a little roadside box at 1670 Robb Ave in Comox called Gone to Seed, stocked with free seed packets year-round. Take what you'll plant, and if you save seeds from your own garden come fall, drop some back in for the next person. The Facebook page is also an incredible nature education hub!
An accessible way to see spawning salmon
If a river trail isn't realistic but you still want to see spawning salmon, the Puntledge River Hatchery on Powerhouse Road is worth a look. There's an underground viewing area with a window into one of the tanks, and the site itself is flat and ramp-accessible — much easier going than walking a riverbank. Check seasonal hours before you go, since the viewing area isn't open year-round.
Mondays are a tough night to find a restaurant open
If you've got visitors in town or just forgot to plan dinner, don't count on Monday evening giving you many options. A lot of independent restaurants in the valley close on Mondays, and even on other nights, many places wind down service by 7 or 8pm. Worth calling ahead rather than assuming.
A reliable off-leash spot for dogs
Nymph Falls is one of the places locals point to for off-leash walking because it's an actual designated off-leash area, not just somewhere people let their dogs run anyway. The Northeast Woods is another option, with parking at the top of Torrence Road off Guthrie. Leash rules can shift seasonally in some areas, so it's worth a quick check if you're going somewhere new.
See salmon on the Puntledge before the hatchery opens
You don't have to wait for the Puntledge River Hatchery's visitor season to see the salmon run. The Puntledge itself is worth checking early, with the small bridge at Puntledge Park as an easy viewing spot, and the Condensory Bridge as another local favourite. Timing shifts year to year, so treat any specific date as a rough guide, not a guarantee.
QF Chinese is the go-to for feeding everyone cheap
When you don't want to cook and don't want to spend much either, QF Chinese (inside Quality Foods) is the takeout locals keep coming back to. The recurring theme in conversations about cheap eats around the valley is generous portions for the price — more of a practical weeknight option than a special-occasion spot.
A flat, easy trail between Royston and Cumberland
If you want a walk or bike ride without the hills, the old E&N railway bed between Royston and Cumberland is now a wide, mostly flat multi-use trail. It's a nice alternative to the busier forest trails, and good for kids on bikes or anyone who wants scenery without the climb.
Egg carton recycling
Butcher’s Block in Courtenay accepts egg cartons which they pass along to a local farmer who sells eggs by the dozen there.
Best breakfast in Courtenay
Atlas Cafe does an incredible eggs benny. Get there before 10am on weekends or expect a wait. Their coffee is locally roasted too.
Beat the crowds at the farmers market
The Comox Valley Farmers Market gets busy fast. Show up right at 9am for the best selection of produce. The baked goods from Honeygrove sell out, so grab those first!
The quieter Seal Bay trails
Most people stick to the main Seal loop, but the forest trail on the west side is way less crowded and has beautiful old-growth sections. Park at the Hardy Road entrance instead of the main parking lot.
Rainy day with kids? Try the NIC pool
The aquatic centre (at North Island College) has a great kids pool with a slide and splash features. It's way cheaper than you'd expect and perfect for burning off energy on those endless rainy days. Family swim times are afternoons and weekends.
Free parking trick for downtown Courtenay
The parking lot behind the Sid Williams Theatre is free for 2 hours. Most people don't know about it so there's usually space even when the main streets are full.