Choose Your Own Adventure
The Sunshine Coast is the quintessential west coast playground. Whether you’re a visitor or you call this place home, the Coast’s beaches, forests, and amenities provide an abundance of options for exploring, entertainment, and relaxation.
1. Hiking
With 844 identified trails covering 1570 kilometres of forest, hiking opportunities are aplenty on the Sunshine Coast. Many visitors are first drawn to the Coast’s beaches, but it's in the Coast’s lush, west coast rainforest where you can really find nature’s refuge and refreshment. In Gibsons, locals do the quick hike up Soames Hill for daily cardio and are rewarded with sweeping views of Gibsons Landing, Keats Island, and beyond. Cliff Gilker in Roberts Creek is a favourite for its many bridges and waterfalls, while Smuggler Cove offers varied landscapes and a bit of unexpected history in Halfmoon Bay.
2. Swimming (ocean and lakes)
Within minutes of arriving on the Sunshine Coast, you can pop into the ocean for a quick swim right in Gibsons Landing at Armours Beach. Truth be told, nearly every beach on the Coast with public access is swimming-friendly, but two popular spots for ocean swimming are Roberts Creek Beach and Davis Bay. In Sechelt, Porpoise Bay has a smooth sand beach for a day of swimming, picnicking, and hanging out. Further up in “lake country”, Ruby Lake at Dan Bosch Park in Pender Harbour is a pleasant stop for a refreshing lake swim.
3. Boating
The Sunshine Coast is a destination for watercraft travellers of all kinds. Gibsons is a popular day trip by boat from Metro Vancouver, or the first stop on a multi-day adventure up the Sunshine Coast. Boaters often make Savary Island a must, or journey up to Desolation Sound. There are commercial marinas up the Coast, but if you don’t have your own boat, chartered boats and guided trips are available. Not to be missed, many boaters travel up to majestic Princess Luisa Inlet — traditionally named swiwelát — since it’s only accessible by boat or floatplane. Visitors to Princess Luisa Inlet are greeted by Chatterbox Falls, a 40-metre waterfall that descends dramatically into the inlet. Towering granite walls with cascading waterfalls create an unforgettable backdrop.
4. Kayaking
Much like boating, kayaking — and its cousins paddleboarding and canoeing — can offer a different perspective of the Sunshine Coast than from land. With a person-powered watercraft, it's easy to explore unique coves, hidden beaches and tiny islands. Cast off any beach you find accessible for your ocean adventuring, or spend a few hours gliding along on a quiet lake. There’s even whitewater rafting at Skookumchuck Narrows if you’re experienced and up for the adrenaline.
5. Biking
Speaking of adrenaline, did you know that the Sunshine Coast is a world famous mountain biking destination? In fact, there’s over 700 kilometres of single-track bike trails up and down the Coast. First stop: Sprockids Park. As soon as you leave the ferry in Langdale, zip up the Bypass and turn right instead of left. Warm up on the lower elevation trails, then challenge yourself riding the trails higher up. A tour up the Coast reveals bike trails in Roberts Creek, Wilson Creek, West Sechelt and Halfmoon Bay on the South Coast. On the North Coast, Powell River offers Duck Lake, a multi-use network of trails for both hikers and bikers.
As for bike parks, the Sunshine Coast is home to Sechelt’s Coast Gravity Park, a world-renowned downhill park. Built for riders, by riders, it attracts serious riders near and far and is open year round.
6. Camping
Have tent, will travel. The Sunshine Coast has several drive-in campgrounds for those who enjoy roughing it. Popular, family-friendly spots include Porpoise Bay Provincial Park, Klein Lake, and Haywire Bay Regional Park. Bring your paddleboard, kayak, and floaties — these campgrounds are water-side. Reservations are recommended.
7. Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
In winter, Dakota Ridge is where everyone goes for cross country skiing and snowshoeing on the Sunshine Coast. Set amidst old-growth forest and refreshing open areas, enthusiasts can explore 20 kilometres of groomed and track-set cross country ski trails or 8 kilometres of snowshoe trails. The reward? Vistas of Vancouver Island, the Coast Mountains, and the Salish Sea.
8. Dining and Drinking
In addition to the outdoor paradise that it is, the Sunshine Coast’s food and drink scene continues to thrive. Gibsons alone has two craft breweries: Tapworks and Persephone, and two cideries: Sunday Cider and the newly-opened Banditry Cider. Pick up a small-batch gin or vodka at Bruinwood Distillery in Roberts Creek, a burger and craft brew at Batch 44 Brewery in Sechelt, or a cider from the Coast’s first cidery, Bricker Cider Company. In Powell River, Townsite Brewery is where you find a craft beer to suit any palate.
Along the Coast, there’s plenty of dining options in each town. Be sure to make a reservation at the more popular locations — restaurants can fill up fast, especially in the summer. The Coast may have a small town feel, but the dining options are plentiful.
9. Relaxing and Rejuvenation
If slowing down is what you need, a day at the Painted Boat Resort Spa & Marina in Pender Harbour is your speed. Massages, facials, and their signature Rituals put you in a blissful state of mind. The outdoor hydrotherapy Serenity Garden will both relax and invigorate. For an even more secluded experience, Bali Casa in Halfmoon Bay is a 5 acre, private estate that blends the feel of an exotic escape with westcoast charm. Seriously, that infinity pool.
10. Arts & Culture
The Sunshine Coast is known for its vibrant art scene. Visual artists, crafters, makers, musicians, and writers — the Coast has the highest per-capita population of creatives. Take the “Purple Banner Tour” to visit studios and galleries from Gibsons to Lund at any time of year. Or wait for the annual Sunshine Coast Art Crawl in October, when artists open their doors for a peek at their private studios and current creations. For lovers of the written arts, the Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts brings writers and poets, readers and fans to Sechelt every summer.
It’s obvious there’s no lack of things to see, places to explore, food to taste, and drinks to imbibe. Choose your own adventure. The possibilities are endless on the Sunshine Coast.
