British Columbia

 Travel & Vacation Adventures in British Columbia

The Sunshine Coast… something for everyone

The Sunshine Coast is one of the most beautiful regions of British Columbia. Separated from Vancouver by a deep sound (fjord), it is only 1,5 hours away from the city, and yet a different world.

There are no roads to the Sunshine Coast. The 40 minute ferry ride through Howe Sound is like a mini cruise. The pace of life slows, relaxation sets in. Upon arrival, mountains and forests with hundreds of kilometers of trails await the visitor, together with beautiful beaches, lakes, stunning ocean views and the Skookumchuk Narrows, the second largest salt water rapids in North America. The Pender Harbour area is known as the Venice of the North.

For outdoor enthusiasts, the Sunshine Coast is a great place to visit. Where else does one find a combination of hiking, sea kayaking, sailing, canoeing, golf, fresh and saltwater fishing, beachcombing, swimming, wakeboarding, snowshoeing and cross country skiing? The recreational opportunities are endless! The mountain biking is world renowned and the cold water diving near Saltery Bay, Porpoise Bay and Halfmoon Bay on the Georgia Strait are among the best in the world.

So much to see, do and enjoy, and no crowds. At many of the lakes, you may be the only visitor. The sounds of birds and the gentle crashing of the waves are everywhere.

Local people are friendly and relaxed. Browse around in antique shops and quaint little stores with collectibles, or dine in waterfront restaurants, bistro-style cafés and other picturesque local eateries for a variety of flavours and budgets.

Music lovers will be happy on the Sunshine Coast, too. On weekends, there is always something going on. The Coast boasts many musicians, with styles ranging from jazz to rhythm ‘n blues to eclectic, to classical.

How sunny is the Sunshine Coast? Well, it lies nicely sheltered behind Vancouver Island, so the climate is mild. In fact, the Sunshine Coast is the second warmest region in Canada. A section in Roberts Creek on the Lower Coast is even officially designated as subtropical. With an annual total of between 1,400 to 2,400 hours of sunshine —that’s an average of four to six hours a day, depending on where the measurements are taken —bright days outnumber gloomy ones by a wide margin. At higher elevations, there is snow in winter for snowshoeing, cross country skiing and sledding amidst spectacular scenery.

For those who enjoy scenic ferry trips, there is the Circle Tour: a ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver takes you to the Lower Sunshine Coast, then a drive and another ferry trip to the Upper Sunshine Coast. In Powell River you board another ferry to Comox on Vancouver Island. The fourth ferry ride is either from Victoria (Schwartz Bay) in the South of Vancouver Island to Tsawassen, just South of Vancouver, or alternatively, from Departure Bay in Nanaimo, back to Horseshoe Bay. A special Circle Tour ticket from BC Ferries can provide savings up to 30 per cent.

The Sunshine Coast Bed and Breakfast and Cottage Owners Association (SCBBCOA) offers visitors some of the finest accommodations on the Sunshine Coast. Each of the 120 member properties must adhere to very stringent quality standards, among the highest in the Canadian hospitality industry.

There are quiet cottages in the woods, luxury B & B’s on the water, and accommodations for a family vacation or a romantic getaway. The motto of the association is “something for everyone.”