Your gateway to Denman and Hornby Islands — Courtenay, Comox, and Cumberland on Vancouver Island's east coast
The Comox Valley is the nearest urban centre to Denman and Hornby Islands, and for most visitors it's the starting point for any trip to the Northern Gulf Islands. The valley includes three communities — Courtenay, Comox, and Cumberland — nestled between the Beaufort Mountains and the Strait of Georgia on Vancouver Island's east coast. With an airport, hotels, restaurants, and all the amenities you'd need, it's the ideal base for a multi-day fishing or sightseeing adventure.
The Comox Valley Airport (YQQ) is the closest airport to Denman Island, with daily flights from Vancouver (YVR) on Pacific Coastal Airlines and WestJet. From YQQ, it's about a 30-minute drive south on Highway 19A to the Buckley Bay ferry terminal, where BC Ferries will take you across Baynes Sound to Denman Island in just 10 minutes.
If you're driving from further south on Vancouver Island, Buckley Bay is about 90 minutes north of Nanaimo and roughly 3.5 hours from Victoria via the Island Highway. From the BC Ferries terminal at Departure Bay (Nanaimo), it's a straight shot up Highway 19.
The Comox Valley has a wide range of accommodation — from waterfront resorts and full-service hotels in Comox to boutique B&Bs in Courtenay and rustic cabins in Cumberland. Many guests book a hotel in Courtenay or Comox for the night before their charter, then drive down to Buckley Bay in the morning to catch the first ferry. It's an easy, relaxed way to start the day.
For those who want to stay closer to the ferry, there are also options at Deep Bay, Fanny Bay, and Union Bay — smaller communities right along the coast with a more rural, island-adjacent feel.
The Comox Valley isn't just a pass-through — it's worth spending time here. Courtenay has a walkable downtown with independent shops, craft breweries, and excellent restaurants. The Courtenay & District Museum tells the story of the valley's First Nations, logging, and farming heritage. Comox is home to the marina, the military base (CFB Comox), and the Filberg Heritage Lodge & Park, which hosts a renowned annual arts festival every August.
Cumberland, a former coal-mining town in the foothills, has reinvented itself as a mountain biking destination with world-class trail networks. The village has a thriving food and drink scene — craft breweries, coffee roasters, and farm-to-table restaurants packed into a few historic blocks.
Many of our guests use the Comox Valley as their home base for multi-day trips. A typical itinerary might include a day of salmon fishing in Baynes Sound, a sightseeing tour past Chrome Island and the Norris Rocks sea lion colony, and a day exploring Hornby Island's beaches and trails. Captain Pat can arrange pickups from Deep Bay marina or meet you on Denman — whatever works best for your schedule.
Fly into YQQ airport. 30 min drive to Buckley Bay ferry. 10 min crossing to Denman Island. Car rental available at the airport.
Hotels and resorts in Comox and Courtenay. B&Bs and vacation rentals throughout the valley. Campgrounds at Miracle Beach and Seal Bay.
Courtenay's downtown restaurant scene. Comox waterfront dining. Cumberland's craft breweries and coffee roasters. Fresh local seafood everywhere.
Mount Washington skiing in winter. Cumberland mountain biking. Seal Bay nature park. Comox Lake swimming and paddling in summer.
Big Coast Marine Adventures is a short ferry ride from the Comox Valley. Whether you want to fish for Spring salmon, cruise past whales and sea lions, or catch a water taxi to Hornby Island, Captain Pat can help you plan the perfect day on the water.