A DAY TRIP TO GENOA BAY

Whether you’re a bored local looking for something to do or a visitor to Victoria who would like to see a little more of Vancouver Island, a short but excellent day trip to Genoa Bay may just be the ticket, especially if you take the backroads to make it even more pleasant. The drive is approximately 1 1/2 hours.

After weeks sitting around the house due to Covid-19, we decided to call my Dad and see if he was interested in a small road trip and lunch. We knew that the weather was going to be spectacular and the the Genoa Bay Cafe had a big outdoor sitting area and served great food, so a plan was made. We decided to take the backroads as much as possible to make the trip more interesting.

The Route

To head up island as we say, take Highway #1, the Trans Canada Highway or as it is more commonly known, the Island Highway towards Duncan. The first part of the drive through Goldstream Park and up over the Malahat is quite spectacular, and if you haven’t driven this before you may want to stop at one or both of the lookouts at the summit. If you are a local and haven’t stopped here in a while, you may want to and reacquaint yourself with these gorgeous views, which we can take for granted. The first turnout at the summit offers stunning views south over the Saanich Inlet and the Olympic Peninsula. The second faces east across the inlet at the Saanich Peninsula, almost directly across from Victoria International Airport at Pat Bay. Once you’ve had your fill of the views, carry on to Mill Bay. This is where we get off the highway and enjoy some quieter driving and more pastoral views. Turn right on Kilmalu Road on the north side of Mill Bay at the Petro Can Station This gets you off the highway and onto the winding backroads through some stunningly beautiful farm country. In 550 m turn left onto Telegraph Rd and follow this for 8.7 km to a right turn at Cowichan Bay Rd. If you’re interested in wineries, you will pass by Enrico Winery at 3280 Telegraph Rd and not far away is Cherry Point Estate Wines at 840 Cherry Point Rd which runs off Telegraph Rd.

View south from the Malahat Summit pullout – Saanich Inlet, Mount Finlayson & and the Olympic Peninsula

A short distance down Cowichan Bay Rd you will come to Cowichan Bay, a rather unique and historic waterfront community with a fascinating blend of shops, restaurants, wharves, boats and float homes. If you plan to leave Victoria early enough, you may want to plan for a stop for coffee at one of the cafes here, maybe wander through some of the gift shops or check out the maritime museum at the Cowichan Maritime Centre. Once you are past commercial district, there is a large boat launch and a couple of nice parks overlooking the bay and estuary offering some good photo ops. You can look across the bay and see the entrance to Genoa Bay, your final destination.

Cowichan Bay

At the end of Cowichan Bay you will pass by Robert Service Memorial Park, a small nature park with a stone cairn and a couple of stone benches. The cairn there was erected in 1958 in in dedication to some of the first pioneers that arrived there on the H.M.S. Hecate in 1862. Carrying along Cowichan Bay Rd you will continue straight ahead on Tzouhalem Rd, passing through the Tzouhalem First Nations Reserve. As you drive along the estuary you will notice Mount Tzouhalem, a large rocky hill to the northwest. You can hike up to the large cross on mountain which provides incredible views of the Cowichan Valley, spanning from Cowichan Bay to west, across the valley to the town of Duncan. Watch for the beautiful St. Anne’s Church on your right and right after that, Providence Farm, a working organic farm which provides a variety of innovative programs for individuals with mental health, brain injury, age-related illness, and developmental challenges. It’s beautiful main building can be seen from the road.

Robert Service Memorial Park

St. Anne’s Church, Cowichan Bay

After you pass Providence Farm, watch for Donnay Dr. Turn right, then carry on 900m and turn left onto Stonehouse Way. In 170m turn right onto Maple Bay Rd. Continue 3.9 km and turn right onto Genoa Bay Rd. It’s approximately 8 km to the Genoa Bay from here. You’ll pass by the Maple Bay Marina and the Shipyard Restaurant & Pub…perhaps a visit for another day?

The end of Maple Bay near the the Maple Bay Marina

Genoa Bay Farm along the Genoa Bay Rd

Genoa Bay

The Genoa Bay Cafe is located at the Genoa Bay Marina. They have a large deck right on the water looking out over the marina and bay with Mount Tzouhalem towering over the bay to the left. They also have additional tables with umbrellas along the shore. The staff are friendly and attentive, the food delicious and sitting out under the awning on a warm summer day…delightful!