Is Comox Harbour Worth a Visit?
Written by Camilla Sampson
We left Victoria early, with the sun raising our spirits from a sleepy night aboard. The plan had been to head north to Desolation Sound, working our way up the east coast of Vancouver Island and enjoying our favourite stops along the way, and then to cut across from Nanaimo to Lund and up into the Sound, as suggested by friends. But this time we decided to continue up the coast and give Comox a go instead—and we are so glad we did!
Discovering Downtown Comox
Crossing the Comox Bar was easy enough with a little help from modern technology, and we soon found ourselves docked below the Comox Glacier, with panoramic views of the mainland and island mountain ranges and glimpses of white sand beaches.
We made our way through Marina Park and up Port Augusta Street, the likes of the Blackfin Pub with its ocean views and the Tidal Cafe catching our eye for later. Up on Comox Avenue, we found everything we could possibly need. After nipping into Blue Heron Books for a couple of maps and charts (I have quite the collection but am always drawn back to those lines and the hope of a hidden gem), we made a beeline for coffee: a toss-up between the Komox Grind Espresso and Smoothie Bar and The Mill Coffee, on this particular morning we went for the latter—a light and airy space with local gifts for sale and a thoughtfully curated hot drinks list. We opted to sit on the patio, where the single origin Phil & Sebastian beans satisfied the caffeine enthusiast in me. Reviving ourselves from the early morning’s cruise up the coast, we perused over our new maps, planning out the next few days’ adventure.
It quickly became clear that we’d be staying a little longer than first planned (the freedom of boats!), allowing me to scope out a couple of interesting-looking spots not far from the main hub.
Komox Grind Espresso & Smoothie Bar
Oceanfront Eateries
If you’ve got a little more time to really take in what this small town has to offer, walk over to the Filberg Gardens, which is a historic nine acres now owned by Comox Town Council. I loved reading about the 200 plant varieties picked up on the original owner’s travels and poking around the home-turned-museum and gift store. (Tip: check out the bathrooms for an aesthetic surprise!) Next time, we also want to try the Filberg Kitchen: a waterfront restaurant full of seasonal eats that spreads from beneath a pagoda across the lawn to the sea, with a view back towards the Beaufort Mountains and harbour.
Back in Downtown Comox, a mere twenty-minute walk from the Filberg, we indulged in some enticing gelato from Benino Gelato. From the patio, we watched the gentle bustle of the main street and made mental notes of various other eateries for our next visit or for dinner back on the boat. I’d heard excellent things about the farms and local businesses of the Comox Valley—vibrant organic produce, cheeses, seafood and wine. But honestly, I was surprised at how tough it was to make a decision, as there were so many more delicious-sounding spots than expected. As an absolute foodie at heart, I wanted to try them all.
Pizza from Boonies Pizza
Photo by Benino Gelato
We settled on the fun-sounding Boonie’s Pizza for dinner. Grabbing a box of “The Healthy,” we hopped in a cab and enjoyed the 10-minute mostly oceanfront drive over to the sandy shores of Kye Bay. Eating our slices with the sun low in the sky, I couldn’t help but dip my toes in the salty shoreline. Taking a deep breath of the fresh, ocean air, as is always the case on these trips, I knew I was going to sleep exceptionally well as the boat rocked me to sleep that night.
Farm-to-Table on Vancouver Island
Day two, and the opportunity to try another cafe got me up bright and early. After enjoying the Komox Grind, and with a delectable beach picnic in mind, we stopped by the Portside Produce Farm Market right in the heart of Downtown Comox. We picked up brightly coloured spring vegetables from across the Valley before swinging by the full-size grocery store for additional provisions. Here, I quickly got waylaid at the cheese counter—picking up not one, but two Comox Bries from Natural Pastures Cheese Company to nibble on with crackers later on.
Portside Produce in downtown Comox
The one thing I hoped would line up with our stop was a new update via email from the Comox Harbour Sales. Quite the treat and a well-known local gem, we were lucky enough to pick up fresh fish from the dock at Fisherman’s Wharf for a BBQ on the boat come evening. It doesn’t get much fresher than this, and I know we’ll be keen to come back again when spot prawns are in season.
While we had everything we needed for several delicious meals at sea, I wanted to check out some of the restaurants on offer. A little additional inspiration for sundowners is always welcome, and there’s a couple of spots that offer up the goods. We swung by Church St. Taphouse to peek at their beer and pick up some take-out cans before heading to the BC Liquor Store to pick up all the ingredients to whip up our own cocktails.
Planning a Return Visit
Walking back down Port Augusta St., bags brimming with local goods and the sun shining, I knew we’d be back again this summer for a more extensive exploration of the Comox Valley. Wineries, beaches, biking and hiking trails...it was all calling my name.
Don’t even get me started on how ridiculously delicious the rest of our days’ meals were, fresh from the ocean and the land. With three marinas across the Valley to moor at, I was feeling grateful for the access our boat life provides us. A weekend of absolute contentment, not all that far from Victoria.
Exploring Comox Valley
