This BC spot with 10 beaches and 'gleaming white sand' was named among Canada's top spots
If you take a 40-minute-long BC Ferries ride from Vancouver, you'll end up in this stunning destination, known for its sparkling shoreline, relaxed pace, and breathtaking beauty.
Take your pick of beaches, from pebble-filled shores with sunset views, to long stretches of soft sand. Along the picturesque coastline of this region you'll find quaint towns and charming communities, brimming with local businesses, artists, and restaurants.
The Sunshine Coast is a go-to summer vacation spot, and was recently named among the spots that "every Canadian should visit at least once in their life," on a Narcity poll.
The region has two main areas — the Northern Sunshine Coast and the Southern Sunshine Coast – that are connected by car ferry, and air. There's everything from remote and rugged beauty to bustling summer towns, so you can make a trip here what you want.
Coming from Vancouver you'll likely take the ferry from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver to the South Sunshine Coast's Langdale ferry terminal, which is near the town of Gibsons.
From there you can drive along the coast, exploring along the way. The Highway 101 will bring you past different small communities and give you stunning coastal views.
The Northern Sunshine Coast is less busy, but full of incredible beauty that makes the longer journey from Vancouver worth it.
Some especially stunning beaches are here, like the soft shores of Savary Island — which you can get to on a water Taxi from Lund. According to the tourism website, that's where you'll find "the warmest waters north of Mexico and a ring of gleaming white sand beaches."
The Sunshine Coast as a whole though is famous for its beaches. The tourism website also says that the region has "180-kilometres of coastline" with over 10 beautiful beaches to visit along it.
Davis Bay is one of the most popular, with unreal sunset views and a picturesque pier.
Porpoise Bay is another go-to, in West Sechelt, and has calm water for swimming. One of the "largest stretches of sand on the Sunshine Coast," is Katherine Lake in Pender Harbour. Then you have the tropical blue water and white sand of Buccaneer Bay on Thormanby Island (you can get there by water taxi or boat from Secret Cove).
Texada Island (a ferry ride from Powell River) also has stunning shores like Gillies Bay — which hosts the Texada Island Sandcastle Weekend.
The list goes on, but the point? The Sunshine Coast is dotted with little slices of paradise, waiting to be explored.
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.
