Laid-back summer days with an ocean breeze, sandy shore and charming towns are what you'll find on the Sunshine Coast. It's a fairly quick ferry trip over from Vancouver and makes for the ideal long weekend adventure.
The area is known for its beauty, with communities scattered across the picturesque coastline. The BC Ferries trip to get there is 40-minutes, and you'll feel far away from the business of Vancouver streets. The South Coast of the region makes for an easy retreat with lots to do, but if you have a bit more time it's worth exploring the North Coast too.
If you want a little getaway from the city, here's how to do it.
Day 1 — Take the ferry to Gibsons
Drive onto the Horseshoe Bay ferry and enjoy the scenic ride to Langdale – the gateway to the Sunshine Coast. The direct ferries leave frequently so you can take you pick of departure times by looking at the schedule.
The ferry ride is a little taste of the beauty waiting for you on the trip. Open ocean with little islands dotted around, a salty breeze, and distant mountains.
Once you arrive in Langdale it's only a nine minute drive to the small town of Gibsons. The coastal town is perched overlooking the calm harbour, and out onto the Howe Sound. It's idyllic and welcoming, with lots of shops, restaurants and cute boutiques to explore. If you wanted a quick day trip from Vancouver this would be the place to do it.
Spend the rest of your day roaming around town checking out the art gallery, museum, and aquarium. If you're up for it you can also check out some of the nearby hikes, biking trails, or kayak rentals. All in all, you wont' be bored here.
Wrap things up with a dinner overlooking the water at Lunitas Mexican Eatery, or one of the other local options.
Day 2 — Drive to Sechelt and explore the beaches
Drive 25 minutes along the coast and you'll reach Sechelt – but not without stopping for a swim first. Along the way you'll see lots of pebbly beaches to choose from, and Davis Bay is a popular choice. It's got a mix of sandy parts and rocky beach, and you can set up for a beach day here. If you really want to stay a while you can enjoy sunset from the beach – since it's known as an especially beautiful spot to watch.
If you're eager to keep the activities going, there's tons of things to do in Sechelt. Go for a take a hike, or you can even do a floatplane tour with Sunshine Coast Air. Hidden Grove and Burnett Falls are go-to hikes here with beautiful views.
Or, go for a peaceful guided kayaking tour with Pedals & Paddles, and squeeze in some more views. Nothing beats a calm day out on the water, and you can enjoy the tranquillity that often comes with a trip to the area.
You can also just stroll along the seawalls and take in the coastal scenery. The town is small but bustling, so it's also just worth walking around and checking out the shops. You can grab dinner at the Lighthouse Pub for a stunning view, especially as the sun goes down. You'll even see seaplanes come in and out here, for some added dinner viewing.
Day 3 – Go explore Skookumchuck Narrows Provincial Park
Wake up and enjoy the last day! Grab some breakfast from one of the cafes in town and take your coffee to go, beach it's time to head out.
If you want a little adventure to it you can make the hour drive to Egmont, where you'll find the beautiful Skookumchuck Narrows Provincial Park. The trails through the park take you past lush greenery and old growth trees that tower high above.
There's a trail that leads you to viewpoints overlooking the rapids here — which are famous as the tide changes twice a day and the flow of the saltwater switches. A four-kilometre hike can take you to the Narrows where you can head to the one of the two viewing areas to see incredible whirlpool and tidal activity. Make sure to check the tide chart online so you get the best view possible.
It's about an hour and a half from Egmont back to Langdale, so you can catch a ferry home and say goodbye to the Sunshine Coast.
There's a whole lot to do on a visit to the Sunshine Coast, so if you can go for longer, make sure to explore more. If you only have a few days though, it's still worth it to experience the beauty and adventure in this region. Happy travels!
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.
