Keith and I have been curious about the Sunshine Coast for quite some time, and even more so as we already know of a close friend who has relocated there, while other close friends are also relocating soon – all originally from the Vancouver area.

The Geographic Location and Brief Cultural History of the Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine Coast is situated on the southwestern corner of the mainland of British Columbia, a 40-minute ferry ride north of Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver. The area is often mistaken for an island, and I’m still reminded from time to time by my girlfriend who relocated there – “it’s not an island!!” The mistake can easily be made because the only way to get there is by ferry or seaplane, even though it is part of the mainland. It consists of 180 kms of land, grouped into three areas – South Coast, North Coast and islands. The South Coast consists of the communities of Gibsons, Roberts Creek, Sechelt, Halfmoon Bay, Egmont and Pender Harbour. The North Coast consists of Saltery Bay, a beautiful provincial park that has some of the best diving in the region; Powell River, a small town with cute cafés, galleries, craft brewery and restaurants; and Lund, a small coastal village that attracts boaters from all over. From Lund, you can also visit the white sandy beaches of Savary Island or take a kayak and explore Desolation Sound.

This blog post will focus on some of the main attractions on the South Coast.

The entire Sunshine Coast area forms part of the traditional territories of the Squamish (Skwxwú7mesh), Sechelt (Shíshálh), and Sliammon (Tla’Amin) and Klahoose First Nations. The First Nations – forming part of the Coastal Salish people – have an abundant history and culture in this area, that far predates the earliest of European settlers in the 1880s.

Climate

The climate across the Sunshine Coast is very mild, not unlike the Lower Mainland of BC. You’ll experience wet winters and warm, dry summers. In the spring and fall seasons, you’re likely to encounter fair amount of rainfall, but that’s what makes the area so lush and green – it’s a temperate rainforest!

Things to Do

No matter where you are on the Sunshine Coast, it’s an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. There’s just so much to do! From water sports like kayaking, scuba diving, fishing, canoeing, paddle boarding and boating; to mountain activities like hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, and golfing… there are an endless number of things to do. You’ll just never get bored! And if you’re looking for more cultural activities, there are plenty of museums and artist studios located on the Coast. In fact, the Sunshine Coast is home to more artists per capita than any other Canadian region. If you drive along the Sunshine Coast Highway, you’ll notice purple flags that indicate artist studios that are open to the public. You can find artists that specialize in painting, pottery, and glassblowing, among other disciplines.

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Keith and I headed up to Skookumchuck Narrows, a narrow area of water near the entrance to Sechelt Inlet. What makes this area special are the waves, rapids and whirlpools that attract expert kayakers from around the world who want a challenge. Each day, tides force about 200 billion gallons of sea water through the narrows during the tide change. It’s an incredible phenomenon and you can check out the best viewing times through this tide table. You can access the narrows via an 8 km (return) trail that begins in the tiny village community of Edgmont. The trail will lead you into Skookumchuck Narrows Provincial Park. The trail is fairly simple to navigate and you can complete it in about 2 to 2.5 hours.

There are numerous hiking trails on the Coast. Besides the one leading up to Skookumchuck Narrows, we recommend heading to Smugglers Cove, just north of Sechelt. A fairly easy 4 km hike with minimal elevation gains, you can arrive to the lookout point and back to the parking lot in 1.5 hours. The area used to transport Chinese workers into the United States in the late 1800s during Prohibition. Smugglers would hide in the cove from the authorities as they moved alcohol into the US at the time.

Food and Wine

With real estate prices as high as they are these days, and remote working becoming the norm for the foreseeable future, it’s no wonder that we’re seeing a migration of people leaving the Lower Mainland and making the Sunshine Coast their new home. We’re not talking retirees here. Many I’ve spoken to are my age and younger, bringing with them not only a fresh perspective on what life on the Coast could mean, but also a burgeoning hospitality industry with elevated food options. From Smitty’s Oyster House, Lunitas Mexian Eatery and Buono Osteria in Gibsons, El Segundo and The Wobbly Canoe in Sechelt, to Inlets Restaurant at the Westcoast Wilderness Lodge in Edgmont there’s something for everyone.

And more are headed there.

Brassica, a new farm-to-table restaurant helmed by culinary heavyweights Jack Chen and Hilary Prince will call Gibsons home in the Fall of 2021. Chen and Prince are residents of Halfmoon Bay. Chen hails from the American and European Michelin kitchens of Per Se, Smyth, Birdsong, L’Autre Pied, In De Wulf, Ubuntu and Ledbury. Prince is an emerging star, as the former pastry chef of L’Abbatoir. To say I’m excited to see what they do there and how their star power will elevate food on the Coast in general, is a serious understatement.

Accommodations

I’d like to tell you that there are numerous hotels and resort lodges where you can stay on the Coast, and that’s all true. But my personal preference is to do vacation rentals of homes or cottages that offer a full kitchen and thus an ability to live like a temporary local. My recent trip to the Coast was no different and Keith and I stayed in an oceanfront AirBnb in Sechelt, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Just be aware that during peak season (i.e., summer) you’ll want to book your accommodations at least six months ahead of time, as the best places will almost always be booked up first!

If you’re interested in learning more about my experiences on the Sunshine Coast, check out my YouTube video below! If you like what you see, feel free to give it a thumbs up. Better yet, subscribe if you want to be notified of future travel videos!