Courtenay, city, on the east coast of Vancouver Island, adjacent to the town of Comox, at the head of Comox Harbour, southwestern British Columbia, Canada. Named for Captain George William Courtenay of the Royal Navy, who surveyed the area from 1846 to 1849, it is now a service centre for a fishing, logging, and farming area. Salmon fishing is popular, and there is an annual summer music festival. Skiing facilities are found nearby in Strathcona Provincial Park and on Mount Washington. Inc. city, 1915. Pop. (2006) 22,021; (2011) 24,099.