Mill Bay
Ocean views, friendly neighbours and an easy trip to Victoria.
Welcome to Mill Bay
Mill Bay sits on the west shore of the Saanich Inlet, at the south end of the Cowichan Valley. It's a place where you can watch the sun come up over the water, grab groceries in the village, and still be in Victoria for an afternoon meeting.
Whether you're buying your first home, moving your family closer to good schools, or looking for a quieter spot to retire, I'd love to help you find your place in Mill Bay.
Living in Mill Bay
Mill Bay has a small-town feel without feeling far away. The village centre has the everyday basics close at hand, and Shawnigan Lake and Cobble Hill are just minutes away for wineries, farm stands and lake days.
It's one of the easiest commutes in the Cowichan Valley. From Mill Bay, it's roughly:
- 10 minutes to Shawnigan Lake Village
- 25 minutes to Duncan
- 25 minutes to Langford
- 40 minutes to downtown Victoria
You can also skip the Malahat altogether and take the BC Ferries Mill Bay to Brentwood Bay crossing over the Saanich Inlet to the Saanich Peninsula.
Schools
Families can keep kids close to home from kindergarten through Grade 12, with both public and independent choices.
- George Bonner Elementary (public, Kindergarten to Grade 7), on Cobble Hill Road
- Mill Bay Nature School (public, elementary), on Cobble Hill Road
- Frances Kelsey Secondary (public, Grades 8 to 12), on Shawnigan Mill Bay Road
- Brentwood College School (independent boarding and day school, Grades 8 to 12), on the Mill Bay waterfront
Shawnigan Lake's independent schools are also a short drive away. School catchments can change, so I'm always happy to help you check with School District 79 before you buy.
Getting outdoors
Mill Bay has the ocean on its doorstep and green space all around:
- Bamberton Provincial Park: a sandy beach on the Saanich Inlet, about five minutes south of Mill Bay, with warm-water swimming in summer, picnic spots and a campground
- Mill Bay Marina: a home base for boaters, kayakers and anyone who likes a walk by the water
- Community parks and trails: Huckleberry Park, Deloume Park and Mill Springs Park, plus the Memory Lane Trail
- Beach access: small public beach accesses along the inlet, such as at Hollings Road and Bakerview Road
Community
Kerry Park Recreation Centre is home ice of the Kerry Park Islanders junior hockey team, a team I'm proud to sponsor. Come out to a game.
A portion of every sale I make goes to Raincoast Dog Rescue Society, and I also sponsor the Cobble Hill Farmers Institute.
Homes and real estate in Mill Bay
Mill Bay offers a good mix of homes, which makes it a fit for a lot of different buyers:
- Waterfront and ocean-view homes along the Saanich Inlet, many with views across to the Saanich Peninsula.
- Family homes in established neighbourhoods close to schools, the arena and the village.
- Acreage and larger lots on the edges of the community, for space, privacy or a hobby farm.
- Townhomes and condos for downsizers and first-time buyers who want less upkeep.
With my construction background, I can help you look past the paint and see what a home really needs, whether that's an older waterfront house, a property on a well and septic, or a lot you're thinking of building on.
Why work with Ry
- My office is in Shawnigan Lake Village, just up the road, so Mill Bay is home turf for me.
- #1 Top-Producing Cowichan Valley-based REALTOR® at Pemberton Holmes for 2025.
- I've been a homeowner, landlord, investor and tenant myself, so I understand the market from every side.
- I'll keep you informed, answer your questions honestly, and never rush you.
Let's talk
Thinking about buying or selling in Mill Bay? Call or text me at 778-678-7403, email ryinnes.realtor@outlook.com, or drop by the office at 105-1760 Shawnigan Mill Bay Road in Shawnigan Lake Village. Office hours are 9 a.m. to noon, Monday to Thursday, or any time by appointment.
Experience Real Estate the way it should be.