Lake Cowichan
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Overview
Annual Rev
C$39.1k
12 mo avg
↑1%
from prior 12 mo
Occupancy rate
40%
12 mo avg
↓4%
from prior 12 mo
Avg daily rate
C$245
12 mo avg
↑11%
from prior 12 mo
Lead time
36 days
12 mo avg
↓6 days
from prior 12 mo
Revpar
C$71
12 mo avg
↓17%
from prior 12 mo
Methodology note: Figures reflect Lake Cowichan market data as of September 2026. Data covers Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com listings. Values are seasonally influenced; rounding applied for readability.
Revenue per listing by bedroom
Bedroom count:
0
1
2
3
4+
Short-term rental supply growth
Performance metrics by bedroom
Bedrooms
Annual Rev
Supply
Revenue boost by amenity
| Amenity | Listings With | Revenue Boost | Revenue With | Revenue Without |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pool | — | +$76,057 | — | — |
| Gym | 🔒 2• (•%) | 🔒 +$3•••• (+••%) | 🔒 $9•••• | 🔒 $5•••• |
| Sauna | 🔒 1• (•%) | 🔒 +$3•••• (+••%) | 🔒 $8•••• | 🔒 $5•••• |
| Bicycles | 🔒 9 (•%) | 🔒 +$3•••• (+••%) | 🔒 $8•••• | 🔒 $5•••• |
| Hot Tub | 🔒 5• (••%) | 🔒 +$2•••• (+••%) | 🔒 $7•••• | 🔒 $5•••• |
| Lake Access | 🔒 5• (••%) | 🔒 +$2•••• (+••%) | 🔒 $7•••• | 🔒 $5•••• |
| Barbecue | 🔒 1•• (••%) | 🔒 +$1•••• (+••%) | 🔒 $6•••• | 🔒 $4•••• |
| Pets Allowed | 🔒 1•• (••%) | 🔒 +$1•••• (+••%) | 🔒 $6•••• | 🔒 $4•••• |
Nightly rate by day of week
Occupancy rate by day of week
Listings by channel
Listings by rental type
Listings by amenities
Listings by size
4+ bedrooms (0%)
Listings by availability
Length of stay by bedroom
4+ bedrooms (5.7 nights)
2 bedrooms (5.3 nights)
1 bedroom (4.6 nights)
3 bedrooms (4.0 nights)
Cleaning fee by bedroom
4+ bedrooms (CA$236)
3 bedrooms (CA$94)
2 bedrooms (CA$65)
1 bedroom (CA$44)
Professional host share
Independent hosts (61%)
Professionally managed (39%)
Over the 12 months ending August 2026, the Lake Cowichan market averaged 369 active Airbnb and VRBO listings, down 13% from a year earlier and up 17% over two years.
An average Lake Cowichan listing earns C$40K/year. High-performing listings earn C$77K, while low-performing listings earn C$15K.
Average occupancy in Lake Cowichan is 37%, producing RevPAR of C$79 per available night.
4+ bedroom listings generate the highest average annual revenue in Lake Cowichan, at C$69K.
Rules vary across Lake Cowichan. Lake Cowichan: Lenient. Business license required, zoning restrictions apply. Minimal enforcement, many operate without compliance. Duncan: Moderate. Business license needed, zoning bylaws restrict locations. Some enforcement through complaints. Nanaimo: Moderate. Business license mandatory, principal residence requirement, 2-guest maximum non-hosted. Complaint-based enforcement, growing regulatory attention. Verify requirements for the property's jurisdiction.
The Lake Cowichan Airbnb and VRBO market does not show clear signs of oversaturation. Supply has declined 13% year-over-year, while RevPAR has increased 36%, suggesting demand is outpacing available supply.
RevPAR is highest in August and July; it is lowest in January and November.
The most common amenities are Kitchen (99%), Parking (97%), Internet (95%). The strongest positive revenue associations are Pool (+151%), Gym (+86%), Sauna (+68%).
Average daily rate in Lake Cowichan is C$286, up 22% year-over-year. Rates peak in July and are lowest in February.
Guests in Lake Cowichan book an average of 38 days in advance, down 5% from last year. Booking windows range from 35 days for 1-bedroom listings to 55 days for 4+ bedroom listings.
Booking demand is highest on Saturday and lowest on Tuesday. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Wednesday. Weekend occupancy is 31% higher than weekday occupancy.