Sunny Days in the Comox Harbour: Your Ultimate Coastal Guide
There is something genuinely magical about a sunny day in the Comox Valley. The way the light hits the mountains, the salty breeze coming off the water, and the vibrant hum of our local communities making it the perfect playground for locals and visitors alike.
If you are planning your next sunny day adventure, we have put together a comprehensive guide to exploring the best of Comox, Courtenay, and Royston. From pristine beaches to land-based estuary strolls and world-class dining, here is how you can make the absolute most of your time in our beautiful region while supporting the local businesses that make this place so special.
Dive In: Swimming Spots & Beaches
Looking to cool off or stretch out on the sand? The Valley is home to gorgeous, wide-open coastlines that are beautifully pristine:
Kye Bay: Famous for its vast, shallow sandy flats when the tide goes out, it is the absolute best spot for families, skimboarding, and wading in warm tidal pools.
Point Holmes: A beautiful cobblestone and sand beach that offers a perfect launch point for paddleboarders and spectacular views across the strait.
Kin Beach: Ideal for a scenic beach walk, a family picnic, or exploring the rocky shoreline with panoramic views of the mainland mountains.
Goose Spit & Gartley Beach: Perfect destinations for beachcombing, scenic walks, and finding a quiet spot to soak up the sun.
On-the-Water Adventures: Book Ahead
Summer spots fill up fast, so now is the perfect time to book your equipment rentals and guided tours. Our local operators are open and ready to get you out on the water safely:
Comox Valley Kayaks & Canoes, Coast Surf Shop, & Compass Adventure: Head to these local staples to rent a kayak, stand-up paddleboard (SUP), or sign up for a guided tour to explore the calm, pristine waters of our coastlines.
Big Animal Encounters: Step aboard their comfortable, covered vessels departing from the Comox Marina for world-class whale watching and marine wildlife tours. Witnessing humpback whales, orcas, and sea lions out in the open Salish Sea is an unforgettable summer highlight.
Comox Harbour Charters: Looking for something custom? Gather your family, social club, or workplace group for a peaceful sunset cruise or island excursion aboard the Twee Schoenen. They specialize in whole-boat private group charters, sightseeing, and casual fishing.
S.S. Fun Ship: For the ultimate multi-sport enthusiast, look no further than this unique boat-in-biking adventure. Perfect for e-bikers and mountain bikers looking to hitch a boat ride from Comox Harbour across the water to rugged, world-class island trail network
World-Class Sport Fishing Charters: If pulling in a prize salmon, lingcod, or snapper is on your summer bucket list, the Comox Marina is home to premier independent sport fishing guides who handle everything from gear to expert fish care:
- Island Pursuit Sport Fishing: Hosted by lifetime local guide Steve Veloso, offering premiere full and half-day saltwater salmon charters.
- Radar’s Pro Fishing: Join Captain Raiden Bresch on a 24-foot Grady White for custom, highly productive fishing adventures around Comox, Hornby, and beyond.
- Cliff’s Chinook Charters (CCCharters): Run by Prostaff guide Cliff Moors, providing family-friendly charters focused on catching salmon, crabbing, and sightseeing under the gorgeous backdrop of the Comox Glacier.
For paddlers, plan your Island paddle routes here: Paddle BC Vancouver Island Guide
Explore the Shore: Land-Based Estuary Magic
You don't have to get wet to experience the incredible ecology surrounding the Comox Bay and its estuary. The land surrounding these waters hosts beautiful, accessible trail systems perfect for a sunny afternoon walk:
The Courtenay Riverway Trail: A beautifully flat, paved walkway that snakes along the edge of the estuary. It is a world-class birdwatching corridor where you can spot bald eagles, herons, and trumpeter swans.
Royston Seaside Trail: Take a historic stroll out toward the Royston Wrecks—a collection of old ships intentionally submerged decades ago to create a breakwater. Walking this trail offers beautiful coastal air and a fantastic viewpoint of the harbour.
Coastal Dining Showcase & Marina Park Food Trucks
All that exploring is bound to work up an appetite. Foot traffic is the lifeblood of our local town centers, and our culinary scene is firing on all cylinders:
Marina Park Food Trucks: For the ultimate casual sunny-day vibe, head down to Marina Park. A diverse rotating lineup of local food trucks serves up everything from gourmet street eats to sweet treats. Grab a bite, find a bench, and enjoy the views of the marina.
Downtown Comox & Courtenay: Wander the walkable streets of our town centers to discover incredible farm-to-table restaurants, locally roasted coffee, craft breweries, and boutique shops.
Our business community is the heart of the Comox Valley. By choosing to explore, dine, and adventure locally, you are directly helping regional businesses thrive. See you out there!
New for Summer: Float Your Boat Fridays!
Exciting news for your summer calendar! The Comox BIA is shifting gears from a single-day Summer Fest to a brand-new, vibrant weekly summer series called “Comox Float Your Boat Fridays.”
Running every Friday afternoon from 11:30 AM to 5:00 PM throughout July and August (starting July 3rd, with a brief pause on July 31st for Nautical Days), this series is specifically designed to celebrate Comox’s waterfront identity and breathe vibrant energy directly into our local business core.
It is the perfect excuse to round up the family, head downtown, and kick off your weekend right where the action is:
- Free Signature Concert Series (Noon): Grab your lawn chair and head to the corner of Port Augusta and Comox Avenue! Live music kicks off right at 12:00 PM, featuring an amazing, eclectic lineup of talented performers—ranging from big bands and folk to beloved Canadian icons and high-energy party rock.
- The Marina Park Market (11:30 AM – 5:00 PM): Stroll down towards the Sail Buildings near the docks to discover a lively pop-up market. You can browse beautifully crafted, locally made treasures from regional artisans and makers right alongside the Marina Park food trucks.
- Red Carpet Retail & Downtown Happy Hours: The excitement doesn’t stay at the park! Follow the fun into downtown Comox as local shops roll out the literal red carpet with exclusive in-store features, sidewalk sales, and delicious Float Your Boat Friday Happy Hour specials at participating local restaurants and pubs.
By making Float Your Boat Fridays your regular weekly hangout, you are turning a sunny afternoon of fun into a powerful show of support for the incredible local shop owners, makers, and restaurateurs who call the Comox Valley home.
Water Safety & Responsible Visitation
We all share the responsibility of keeping our waters safe, our coastlines clean, and our local ecosystems thriving. Whether you are swimming, paddling, or beachcombing, keep these essential practices in mind to ensure a respectful and safe coastal visit:
Leave No Trace: Keep our beautiful marine environments pristine. Ensure all trash, food scraps, and plastic waste are packed back out with you or disposed of securely in designated beachfront bins.
Check Regional Water Advisories: Coastal water quality can fluctuate naturally based on seasonal changes, tides, and weather events. Always cross-reference current conditions and local safety updates via the official Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) website before diving in.
Know Your Limits & Prepare: The ocean currents and ocean temperatures on Vancouver Island can change rapidly. Always wear a properly fitted Personal Flotation Device (PFD) when paddleboarding, kayaking, or canoeing, and let someone on shore know your route.
Respect Local Shorelines & Wildlife: Our estuaries and beaches are delicate ecosystems. Give marine mammals plenty of space, avoid disturbing nesting birds along tidal flats, and take care not to disrupt natural habitats while exploring the shoreline.
Current Water Quality Update
Last Updated: June 9, 2026
Following extensive daily water testing by the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) after the recent sewage leak on May 26, the precautionary water quality advisory has officially been lifted for the vast majority of Comox Harbour and the Estuary.
We want to thank everyone for their patience and transparency as our community navigated this brief bump in the road.
Active Safety Notice: A localized advisory remains in effect for the foreshore between Jane Place and the Comox Wharf, as well as the water inside the Comox Harbour Authority east marina. Please avoid direct water contact in this specific zone until further notice. The west side of the Comox Harbour wharf is safe.
Official CVRD Sewage Leak & Water Quality Updates: comoxvalleyrd.ca/sewageleak
Looking to explore our rural communities and more coastline? Check out our blogs on communities to the north and south.
Experience Comox Valley respectfully acknowledges that the land we gather on is on the Unceded Traditional Territory of the K’ómoks First Nation, the traditional keepers of this land.
