Cabin Rental Near Victoria BC

Private Lakefront Estate on Shawnigan Lake — 45 Minutes from Downtown Victoria

Looking for a cabin rental near Victoria, BC? Shawnigan Retreats is a private lakefront estate on Shawnigan Lake, just 45 minutes north of downtown Victoria via Highway 1. The property sits on two acres of south-facing waterfront with its own beach, dock, Finnish sauna, hot tub, and pickleball court. Two separate buildings — a six-bedroom lakeside house and a two-bedroom cottage — sleep up to 16 guests combined, making it work equally well for a couple's weekend away or a full family reunion.

Unlike most cabins near Victoria that sit on small wooded lots with shared lake access, this is a full estate rental. You get the entire property to yourself: 200 feet of private shoreline, a deep-water dock, and no shared walls or neighbouring guests. It's the kind of place where you can walk from the sauna straight into the lake without seeing another soul.

How to Get Here from Victoria

From downtown Victoria: Head north on Highway 1 (Trans-Canada) toward Duncan. After about 35 kilometres, take the Shawnigan Lake Road exit. Turn left and follow Shawnigan Lake Road for 5 kilometres until you reach the property at 1760 Shawnigan Lake Road. Total drive time is roughly 45 minutes, depending on traffic through Langford and the Malahat.

From Victoria International Airport (YYJ): The airport is in Sidney, on the Saanich Peninsula. Take Highway 17 south to Highway 1, then head north toward Duncan. Exit at Shawnigan Lake Road. Total drive time is approximately 50 minutes.

From BC Ferries Swartz Bay Terminal: If you're arriving from the mainland via the Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay ferry, take Highway 17 south to Highway 1 north. Same exit at Shawnigan Lake Road. About 55 minutes from the terminal to our door, or roughly 45 minutes once you're off the ferry and through the parking lot.

The entire drive is on well-maintained highways. No secondary ferries, no gravel roads, no four-wheel-drive required. You'll pass through the Malahat — a scenic stretch of Highway 1 that climbs over the coastal mountains with views of the Saanich Inlet. It's one of the better drives on Vancouver Island, especially in summer.

Why Shawnigan Lake Over Other Destinations Near Victoria

Victoria has no shortage of weekend getaway options, but most of them come with trade-offs.

Sooke is beautiful — rugged coastline, old-growth forest, serious hiking. But it's ocean-facing, which means cold water and limited swimming. There's no lake access, and most rentals are compact. Great for a surf trip, less so for a group gathering.

Sidney has waterfront charm and is close to the airport, but it's a small town with limited privacy. You're renting a house on a residential street, not an estate. Fine for a quiet couple's weekend, but not ideal if you want space to spread out.

The Gulf Islands (Salt Spring, Galiano, Pender) are stunning, but they require a ferry. That means planning around BC Ferries schedules, potential wait times in summer, and higher costs. For a two-night weekend, losing half a day each way to ferry logistics can eat into the trip.

Cowichan Bay is a charming fishing village about 20 minutes past Shawnigan Lake. Worth a lunch stop, but rental options are limited and there's no lake swimming.

Shawnigan Lake hits a different spot: private lakefront, warm-water swimming from June through September, no ferry, and under an hour from Victoria. The lake is large enough to feel remote but close enough that you can leave after work on a Friday and be sitting on the dock by dinner.

Two Properties, One Estate

Luxurious Lakeside House on Shawnigan Lake

The Lakeside House

6 bedrooms, sleeps up to 12 guests

The main house sits directly on the lake with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the water. Six bedrooms across two floors, a gourmet kitchen, home theater, and a wraparound deck that catches the afternoon sun. This is the property most groups book for reunions, corporate off-sites, and wedding parties.

View the Lakeside House
Lakeview Cottage on Shawnigan Lake

The Cottage

2 bedrooms, sleeps up to 4 guests

A separate two-bedroom cottage on the same property, set back slightly from the water with its own entrance and parking. Ideal for couples or a small family who want full access to the estate's amenities without paying for six bedrooms they don't need. Rates start from $350/night.

View the Cottage

What's Included

Every booking includes full access to the estate's amenities. No extra fees, no add-on packages.

  • Private beach and deep-water dock — 200 feet of shoreline, swim ladder, and space to tie up a boat
  • Finnish sauna — wood-fired barrel sauna steps from the lake for cold plunges
  • Hot tub — year-round, seats 6, overlooking the water
  • Pickleball court — regulation-size court on the property
  • Chef's kitchen — commercial-grade appliances, island seating, everything you need to cook for a crowd
  • Home theater — projector, surround sound, comfortable seating
  • Gym — weights and cardio equipment
  • High-speed WiFi — strong enough for remote work and video calls
  • Paddleboards and kayaks — available for all guests, no rental fees
  • Fire pit — lakeside, with Adirondack chairs

Perfect for Every Occasion

Weekend getaways from Victoria. Leave Friday after work, be on the dock by 6 PM. Two nights is enough to reset. The drive back Sunday is 45 minutes — you're home before the afternoon is gone.

Family reunions. With 8 bedrooms across both properties and 16 sleeping spots, three generations can stay under one roof (or two roofs, if the grandparents want some quiet). The beach, pickleball court, and kayaks keep every age group occupied. Learn more about family reunions.

Corporate retreats. The Lakeside House works well as a meeting space during the day and a social venue in the evening. High-speed WiFi handles video calls. The sauna and hot tub handle team bonding. Learn more about corporate retreats.

Intimate weddings. The property accommodates ceremonies and receptions for up to 50 guests, with the lake as a backdrop. For larger groups, we coordinate with a partner property 10 minutes away for additional sleeping capacity. Learn more about weddings.

Romantic escapes. The cottage is built for this. Two bedrooms, a private entrance, and access to the sauna and hot tub after the main house guests have gone to bed — or book it on its own for complete privacy.

Ready to Book?

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