Main image

David Stanley from Nanaimo, Canada CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Comox Lake

Lake

Reservoir above Courtenay on Vancouver Island, Comox Lake offers kayaking, trout fishing, picnicking and trailheads that lead into alpine lakes and backcountry campsites.

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Comox Lake essentials

Address: Comox Lake, near Courtenay, British Columbia, Canada
Hours: Public access year-round

Comox Lake is a freshwater reservoir on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada, located inland from the city of Courtenay. The lake functions as a local water supply reservoir and is used for hydroelectric generation.

Recreational use includes boating, fishing and lakeside trails, with anglers visiting for trout and other sport fish. Facilities and access are focused on day-use recreation and backcountry access into surrounding forested slopes.

The lake basin is managed as part of the regional watershed for Courtenay and adjacent communities, with infrastructure in place to regulate outflow and water quality. Management balances water supply, power generation and recreational access.

Comox Lake lies inland from the Comox Valley on central Vancouver Island, surrounded by forested hills and mountain ridges and located near the communities of Courtenay and Cumberland.

  • Role: Serves as a municipal water and power source in addition to recreation
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Comox Lake#

A popular freshwater lake near Courtenay on Vancouver Island; best in summer for boating and in spring/autumn for quieter visits.

Summer
June-August · 12-22°C
Warmest, best for water activities and lakeside picnics; expect more boat traffic on weekends.
Spring/Autumn
April-May, September-October · 5-15°C
Quieter on the water and good for fishing and hiking; cooler mornings and clearer light.

Weather & Climate near Comox Lake#

Climate

Comox Lake's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Mediterranean - Warm-Summer Mediterranean climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -1°C to 22°C. Abundant rainfall (1756 mm/year), wettest in November.

Air Quality: AQI 19 Good
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
23°
Warmest Month
-1°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January - -1° - 5° -1° 254 mm - - 2.9 m/s - -
February - 0° - 7° 1° 191 mm - - 2.7 m/s - -
March - 1° - 9° 2° 172 mm - - 3.0 m/s - -
April - 2° - 12° 5° 118 mm - - 3.1 m/s - -
May - 5° - 16° 11° 72 mm - - 3.0 m/s - -
June - 8° - 19° 13° 58 mm - - 3.1 m/s - -
July - 11° - 22° 16° 36 mm - - 3.0 m/s - -
August - 11° - 23° 17° 45 mm - - 2.6 m/s - -
September - 8° - 19° 14° 57 mm - - 2.4 m/s - -
October - 6° - 13° 8° 183 mm - - 2.6 m/s - -
November - 2° - 8° 3° 297 mm - - 3.0 m/s - -
December - 0° - 5° -1° 273 mm - - 2.8 m/s - -
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Comox Lake#

Comox Lake lies west of Courtenay on Vancouver Island. From Courtenay, follow the Puntledge Road and Comox Lake Road to the main access points; driving is the practical option. Local signage marks day-use areas and boat launches.

Tips for Visiting Comox Lake#

  • If planning to swim or paddle, use the main day-use areas near the park access points rather than informal shorelines.
  • Combine a visit with nearby Courtenay and Cumberland for supplies and cafes-Comox town is the nearest larger service centre.
  • In summer, get an early start to avoid afternoon winds that can make the lake choppy for small boats.