Situated 10 kilometres north of Duncan along the waters of Osborne Bay is Crofton, yet another of Cowichan’s quaint seaside towns.
Founded in 1902 by copper magnate Henry Croft, Crofton not only looks directly across to Saltspring Island, but provides you with the means to get there too. The regular ferry service to Vesuvius Bay crosses Stuart Channel, which is home to a boisterous population of sea lions and the occasional pod of migrating orcas.
Crofton’s piece de resistance has to be its newly installed Community Seawalk that begins near the Olde School House Museum and gracefully wends its way along the shoreline.
If you happen to take the scenic Osborne Bay Road (between Crofton and Herd Road), take note of the trailhead about halfway along – those who are adventurous (and well prepared) can follow the trail to the very top of Maple Mountain, which affords sweeping views of Maple Bay, Genoa Bay and the Saanich Peninsula.
