The Comox Valley is a three-hour (220 km/137 mile) drive north from Victoria or a 75-minute (107 km/66 mile) drive from Nanaimo, where the ferry terminals of Departure Bay and Duke Point are located. Drive Highway #19, the new inland, four-lane expressway. From Highway #19 take exits #101, #117, #127, #130 or #144 to access various points in the Comox Valley. Visitors can also take the scenic Oceanside Route on the old Island Highway #19A.
Regular ferry service links the British Columbia Mainland and Washington State to the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island. Riding a ferry provides an opportunity to stretch your legs, get something to eat, browse the gift shop and observe marine traffic and wildlife. It is a mini-cruise in the middle of your vacation.
Take advantage of discounted ferry fares with the [http://www.bcferries.bc.ca/News/circlepac.html Sunshine Coast CirclePac]. This Circle Tour offers four ferry/highway routes linking the Comox Valley with the Mainland and lower Vancouver Island. A truly unique way to make the journey a memorable part of the holiday!
From the BC Mainland, you travel to Vancouver Island via [http://www.bcferries.com BC Ferries]. Contact BC Ferries at 1-888-223-3779 for route information and at 1-888-724-5223 for reservations on major routes.
From Washington State, you can travel to Vancouver Island via several routes. Schedules and information can be found at the [http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries Washington Ferries website].
Numerous direct flights from the Vancouver International Airport, Calgary International Airport and the Edmonton International Airport land daily at the [http://www.comoxairport.com/ Comox Valley Airport (YQQ)] in Comox.
[http://www.pacific-coastal.com/ Pacific Coastal] and [http://www.flycma.ca/ Central Mountain Air] also offers a convenient service to and from Vancouver. Call Pacific Coastal 1-800-663-2872 or Central Mountain Air 1-888-865-8585 for schedules and reservations.
[http://www.westjet.com WestJet Airlines] operates non-stop flights from Comox to Calgary and Edmonton, with connections to other WestJet serviced airports out of Calgary. Call 1-888-937-8538 or 1-800-538-5696 for schedules and reservations.
[http://www.helijet.com Helijet International] offers non-stop flights to and from Seattle Boeing Field to the Campbell River Airport, which is a 35-minute drive from the Comox Valley. Call 1-800-665-4354 for reservations and schedules.
Small aircraft and floatplanes can land at the Courtenay Airpark near downtown Courtenay. Call (250) 338-9814 for information.
Those travelling by boat will find a full range of facilities including moorage, showers, restaurants and shops adjacent to the Comox Marina. Contact the [http://www3.telus.net/comoxharbour Comox Valley Harbour Authority] at (250) 339-6041, for more information.
The E & N Dayliner ([http://www.viarail.ca/ VIA Rail]) makes daily trips between Victoria and Courtenay. This small train offers a behind the scenes view of rural communities and Vancouver Island forests. For schedules contact VIA Rail at 1-800-561-8630.
Daily bus service connects all parts of Vancouver Island with the Mainland. For passenger service and tour schedules contact [http://www.victoriatours.com/ Laidlaw Coachlines] at 1-800-318-0818. Additionally [http://www.islandlinkbus.com/ Island Link Bus] provides shuttle van services between Departure Bay Ferry Terminal and various locations in the Comox Valley.
My favourite restaurants are: Toscanos (Comox), BlackFin Pub (Comox), HarbourView Bistro (Union Bay), Kingfisher Resort (Royston), Boston Pizza (Courtenay), Atlas Cafe (Courtenay). Zen Zero has excellent juices, vegan and raw food http://www.zenzero.ca/ Quality Foods (Comox) has an excellent deli, with huge lines for its Chinese Food.
A complete list of local restaurants can be found at http://www.comoxvalleyrestaurants.ca/