A Relaxing Getaway to the Sunshine Coast

Just 40 minutes from the Lower Mainland by ferry, the Sunshine Coast feels like a whole different world—one with abundant fresh ocean air, breathtaking vistas, a laid-back vibe, and outdoor activities galore.

 

Find Your Way

“It’s not an island.” 

That sentiment pops up on various Sunshine Coast souvenir t-shirts and trinkets. Visitors can be forgiven for mistaking this picturesque destination for an island paradise. After all, the area is reachable only by boat or floatplane, and its unhurried pace invites resting, relaxing, and indulging.

BC Ferries sailings from Horseshoe Bay whisk travellers to Langdale in 40 minutes. Other communities in the southern part of the Sunshine Coast include Gibsons (filming location of the long-running CBC television series The Beachcombers), Roberts Creek, Davis Bay, Sechelt, Halfmoon Bay, Secret Cove, Madeira Park, Pender Harbour, Garden Bay, Irvine’s Landing, Earls Cove, and Egmont. A 50-minute ferry ride from Earls Cove takes visitors to Saltery Bay in the northern part of the Sunshine Coast, which also includes the communities of Powell River and Lund. Ferries run from Powell River to both Texada Island (35 minutes) and Comox on Vancouver Island (85 minutes).

Sunshine Coast Air has regular flights from Sechelt to Nanaimo Harbour, Victoria Airport Water Aerodrome, and Vancouver International Airport. 

Find your bearings at Sunshine Coast visitor information centres in Gibsons, Sechelt, and Powell River, open year-round, and Pender Harbour, open seasonally.

 

Where to Stay

In the tiny fishing village of Egmont, each of the new self-catering suites at Villas on the Inlet is available year-round and boasts more than 650 square feet of space, including a bedroom with a king-sized bed, living room with a sofa bed, fully equipped kitchen, widescreen TV, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and a waterfront balcony boasting a breathtaking view of Sechelt Inlet and the far-off mountains. It’s not uncommon to glimpse whales and sea lions swimming past—or you can get an even better view by signing up for a boat tour or renting a kayak or jet ski.

Villas on the Inlet is the newest addition to West Coast Wilderness Lodge, the rest of which is a summer-only destination. From May through September, the wilderness resort offers stellar accommodations in the Heritage Lodge, along with regional cuisine in Inlets Restaurant, but there’s plenty to see and do in winter as well.

Owner Paul Hansen is working on additions and enhancements to the lodge over the winter, and he expects the new adventure centre, spa, swimming pool, and oceanside restaurant to be open by summer 2025. Now is the perfect time to book for next summer, as reservations tend to fill up long before the season starts.

In Halfmoon Bay, Rockwater Secret Cove Resort offers unforgettable accommodations with unbeatable ocean views. You could choose a modern lodge room or a rustic cabin, but the most luxurious—and unusual—choice is a tenthouse suite, nestled into a cliff overlooking the Strait of Georgia, accessed by a treetop boardwalk.

The tent’s heated floor, gas fireplace, two-person soaker tub, and expansive balcony were all designed to help you leave the stress of the city far, far behind.

Bring a good novel and a bottle of wine, and settle in for some quality time reading, napping, and relaxing.

The resort features a spa, heated pool, kayaks to borrow, and dining at the new TuBird. Standout selections from the restaurant’s autumn menu include ratatouille, meatballs with truffle spaghetti, and rioja-style lingcod with eggplant fritters.

TuBird’s seasonal brunch menu delivers tasty creations such as banana bread French toast, classic eggs benny, and chicken won benny: Southern-fried chicken heaped upon waffles and topped with both hollandaise sauce and maple syrup.

 

What to See and Do

Visiting the Sunshine Coast means getting out into nature: hiking, kayaking, swimming, scuba diving, boating, whale watching. Extreme kayakers and divers seek thrills in the Skookumchuck Narrows—twice a day, the turbulent waters put on quite a show when they reverse direction—while those who prefer to watch the whirlpool and tidal pool activity from a safe distance hike to viewing areas in Egmont’s Skookumchuck Narrows Park.

To get a scuba diver’s view of West Coast marine life without dipping a toe into the ocean, visit Nicholas Sonntag TidePools Aquarium, tucked away on the second floor of Gibsons Public Market. This catch-and-release facility showcases more than 70 species of wet and wondrous creatures in tanks and touch pools.

The Sunshine Coast is home to an extraordinary number of talented artists. All year round, you can see artists at work thanks to the Purple Banner Tour. From October 18 to 20, you can meet even more local artists—and find unique souvenirs—during the Sunshine Coast Art Crawl 2024.

But of course the most important thing to do on any trip to the Sunshine Coast—especially in the off season—is to slow down, enjoy the unhurried pace, and admire the spectacular ocean and mountain views. Relax, recharge, repeat.

 

Where to Shop

Gibsons Public Market is the place to stock up on tasty provisions, with merchants ranging from Crazy Red’s Breads (try the sticky bun with cream cheese frosting) and Plethora Fine Foods (don’t miss the fine cheeses and charcuterie) to Fisherman’s Market (pick up fresh local seafood) and Shaggy Jack’s Market (buy wild mushrooms and also sign up for a wild mushroom foraging excursion).

Oak Tree Market in Madeira Park sells grocery staples like milk, bread, meat, and fresh produce, but the real reason to visit this general store is for their delicious pre-cooked frozen meals such as lasagna, mac ’n’ cheese, curry, and soup.

Sunshine Coast Olive Oil Co. in Gibsons sells stellar balsamic vinegars and virgin olive oils from around the world. Try a sample while you’re in the store, and admire the gallery display by Ingeborg Suzanne.

It’s easy to spend an hour (or three) browsing through all the thrift shops and consignment stores along Cowrie Street in Sechelt. Be sure to check out the quirky array of antiques and Indigenous art in Tale of the Whale.

Coast Raven Design Studio in Sechelt sells Indigenous silver jewellery and carvings ranging from miniature masks to large poles.

 

Know Before You Go

Cellphone coverage can be spotty on the Sunshine Coast.

Many businesses reduce their hours after the summer season ends. Always check ahead before visiting. 

In warmer months, forest fires are a concern, water may need to be conserved, and black bears may be attracted to any food or garbage left out.

Special thanks to Sunshine Coast Tourism, Destination British Columbia, West Coast Wilderness Lodge, and Rockwater Secret Cove Resort.