Two men in kayaks on a river, wearing sunglasses and smiling, with a mountainous landscape in the background and a red paddle behind them.
The image depicts a house with a large yard, featuring a wooden fence and a driveway, set against a backdrop of trees and a clear sky. The house is situated in a rural area.
The image shows a woman looking out of a doorway at a herd of elk grazing on a hillside, with a car parked in the driveway.
The image depicts a large house with a spacious yard, featuring a driveway and a garage, surrounded by trees and bushes, with a serene and peaceful atmosphere.
The image shows a dog lying on the ground, with its head up and looking at the camera. The dog is medium-sized, with a short coat and a long tail. It is likely a mixed-breed dog.
1 / 5

Stay in private luxury forest villa with hot tub in exchange for daily help in Vancouver Island, Canada

Availability

  2025 

 Min stay requested: No minimum

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Details

  • Description

    Description

    We're Jay and Adam, originally from the UK, we're now living on Vancouver Island in a small village called Youbou. 5 years ago we bought our first home and our acre of land needs continuous landscaping work. We have previously used Workaway.info whilst travelling South America and have had nothing but positive experiences! We’ve hosted Workawayers from around the world on and off for the past 5 years.

    We have busy lives so labour will mostly be solitary. We appreciate self-starters :)

    We can schedule game/movie/dinner nights and hot tub hangs

    We prefer short stays; a work/vacation for you and low commitment for us with our changing schedule. Maximum one week with possibility to extend if we get along really well and our calendar permits.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Animal Care
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    We moved to rural BC for a quieter lifestyle. The benefit of spending time at our place is to relax and take in the views of the lake, and enjoy the hiking/boating/fishing as well as cultural events that the wonderful Cowichan Valley has to offer.

    We enjoy board games, making music together, doing yoga, etc <3

  • Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage

    Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage

    This host offers accommodation and payment.

  • Help

    Help

    Cleaning up our acre of land; this involves:

    - Hand weeding and hedge trimming blackberries
    - Laying fabric, distributing gravel/mulch
    - Painting fences
    - Digging holes, planting trees, fencing them
    - Deep cleaning

    Work is usually physical and can be monotonous. Bring rain gear to work outside in all weather

    Please help 9am-1pm with 30 minutes break. We are pretty casual and don't expect you to break your back but have had some folks come and do minimal work. It takes love, energy and taking our rental off the market to participate in the exchange so please come willing to genuinely help us out.

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    Spanish: Intermediate
    French: Beginner

    This host offers a language exchange
    We speak intermediate Spanish and would love to try practicing our French.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Your own, semi-private, luxurious upper floor of villa with king bed and en suite bathroom, chef's kitchen, west coast living room, sliding doors - self catered (no food offered but we can exchange meals)

    It is important that you leave your suite cleaner and tidier than found and deep clean while here as part of work.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    We live on the side of a mountain so there are some nice walks/hikes around; there's a nice waterfall a short hike from our place and if you're adventurous you can explore elk trails on Mt Holmes. Within 30-60 minutes' drive, there is an abundance of hiking, lakes, beaches, and attractions.

    We have a hot tub we often hang out in during our cool valley evenings.

    We also have a young dog, Django! Please only contact us if you are 100% comfortable and enjoy the company of dogs as Django can be anxious if you're not confident and patient with him.

    To get around independently there is a local bus service that goes into the town of Lake Cowichan and hitchhiking around here is doable as well.

    Please mention the word JONI as the subject/intro to your application. This is so we know you have read everything and you know what to expect! :)

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    We have a fast internet connection and encourage people to bring their own hobbies, online or not.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    Large space with plug in.

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    Very well behaved dogs

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • My animals / pets

    My animals / pets

Host ref number: 996541769576

Website Safety

Feedback (7)



Photos

The image depicts a house with a large yard, featuring a wooden fence and a driveway, set against a backdrop of trees and a clear sky. The house is situated in a rural area.
The image shows a woman looking out of a doorway at a herd of elk grazing on a hillside, with a car parked in the driveway.
The image depicts a large house with a spacious yard, featuring a driveway and a garage, surrounded by trees and bushes, with a serene and peaceful atmosphere.
The image shows a dog lying on the ground, with its head up and looking at the camera. The dog is medium-sized, with a short coat and a long tail. It is likely a mixed-breed dog.
Two men in kayaks on a river, wearing sunglasses and smiling, with a mountainous landscape in the background and a red paddle behind them.

Feedback

These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.

Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)

Cultural exchange:
(4.9)

Communication:
(5.0)