British Columbia Travel Guide
The unofficial BC Travel & Tourism Guide

Photo: Vicky Martin
Only 40 minutes away from Vancouver by ferry, residents and visitors are transported to a rural-feeling coastal oasis that is miles away from the city in atmosphere. Stretching for over 130 km to the northwest from Vancouver, the area is dotted with small towns, peaceful retreats, sand or pebble-stone beaches, and sheltered anchorages.

Though backed by the magnificent Coast Range, the climate is nevertheless influenced mostly by the sea. This section of the Strait of Georgia benefits from the rain shadow effect of Vancouver Island, which traps clouds from the open Pacific and often leaves the south facing communities of the Sunshine Coast with enviable hours of sunshine.

Moderate tidal flow contributes to an overall warming of the water in many sections. Boaters from all over the west coast of America will head to this area, while people traveling by road can take the short ferry journey, which offers wonderful views of the mountains as they cross the mouth of Howe Sound, before heading up Highway 101.

There are five major communities: Gibsons Landing, Sechelt, Pender Harbour, Powel River and Texada Island. Each have their distinct feel and have attracted visitors for decades; many found the area so enchanting they ended up as permanent residents.

Numerous streams and lakes dot the landscape, and many Provincial Parks are situated in particularly beautiful areas, including Roberts Creek, Porpoise Bay, and Inland Lake. Visitors to Skookumchuck Narrows, which joins Sechelt Inlet to Jervis Inlet, can witness the second strongest tidal rapid in the world, where Spring tides propel the water at up to 14 knots, creating giant standing waves and massive whirlpools. The Sunshine Coast is also an ideal base from which to visit sublime Princess Louisa Inlet.

Activities include boating, fresh and salt-water swimming, hiking, ocean and white-water kayaking, golf, fishing and diving. Many people come to relax in a B&B or resort, comb the many shops and art galleries, or simply stroll the beaches and rocky headlands.
 

Sunshine Coast Accommodations

Seabreeze Resort, Powell River

Seabreeze Resort, Powell River

Come for a Relaxing Getaway. Meet up with family, friends or just a romantic getaway. Festivals, activities, beachcombing. Lots of wildlife, beautiful gardens. Ten Spacious fully equipped units, home away from home. wifi, cable.

» Condo 2a from: $ 130.00 per night
» Suite 9 from: $ 150.00 per night
» more ...
Powell River, V8A 0L5, 10975 hwy 101
Ph. 604-487-9534

(Accommodations, Cabin - Log Cabin - Cottage, Campground, Resort, RV Park, Vacation Rentals)

Sunshine Coast Things to Do

Egmont Heritage Centre, Egmont

Egmont Heritage Centre, Egmont

Egmont Heritage Centre

Egmont, V0N 1N0, 6671 Egmont Rd.
Ph. 604-883-9994

(Galleries/ Exhibits/Shows | Museum | Workshops/Classes, Art Workshops)
Sunshine Coast Museum & Archives, Kimiko  Hawkes, Gibsons

Sunshine Coast Museum & Archives, Kimiko Hawkes, Gibsons

Discover the Historical Connection Between Land, Sea & Human Experience. The Sunshine Coast Museum and Archives presents the history of the Sunshine Coast and its inhabitants.

Gibsons, V0N 1V0, 716 Winn Road, P.O. Box 766
Ph. 604-886-8232

(Galleries/ Exhibits/Shows | Museum | Workshops/Classes)
Texada Island Heritage Society, Texada Island

Texada Island Heritage Society, Texada Island

Texada Island Museum & Archives

Van Anda, V0N 3K0, Box 53
Ph.

(Museum)