Historically, its main industry has been forestry.
Many years ago a lonely young bachelor in this area announced he would return to England to find a bride. The community took the name Honeymoon Bay as a result but he never returned.[3]: 114
^"A glimpse into the rich Sikh history in Cowichan". For more than 130 years, the Cowichan Valley has attracted Sikh immigrants, mostly from the Punjab region of Northern India. The Sikh history in Cowichan is rich, and goes well beyond the story of the former village of Paldi and its temple, which this year celebrated its centenarian. And the community remains strong today, though much has changed over the years... In the '70s and '80s, the Sikh community strongholds were at the mill towns around Cowichan Lake — Honeymoon Bay, Mesachie Lake and Youbou.