Shawnigan Lake Bodies of Water

Located at the west end of the village, Shawnigan Lake is a well-liked weekend getaway for residents of Victoria and Nanaimo. Cottages and new developments surround the lake and kayaking and watersking are both popular water activities. An island in the middle of the lake is Memory Island Provincial Park and can be accessed only by boat while the West Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park runs along the western shore of the lake and is part of the Trans-Canada Hiking Trail. Old Mill Park, a waterfront beach, is located at the northeastern end of the lake.

Cutting across part of Vancouver Island north of Shawnigan Lake, the Koksilah River runs through some of the island's rugged wildnerness and is popular with swimmers and anglers. The river is part of a provincial park by the same name which brings hikers and campers to the area as well as visitors wishing to see the historic Kinsol Trestle. Built in 1920 to span the river, the trestle is one of the highest wooden bridges in the world and is under restoration.