Sunshine Coast BC
The Sunshine Coast in BC, Canada. A marvelous view of the Strait of Georgia from Smuggler Cove Marina Provincial Park.
3 Days on the Sunshine Coast of BC
Vancouver Getaway to the Sunshine Coast and Secret Cove in British Columbia
Traffic was light at 5:30 am in Vancouver and as we crossed the Lions Gate Bridge bound for Horseshoe Bay the excitement was building for our first-ever trip to the Sunshine Coast in BC.
Ferry traffic is heavy in early August and we did not have a reservation, hence our early start to the day.
The most popular areas of the Sunshine Coast stretch from Langdale on the east coast to Earl’s Cove and Pender Harbour on the northwest coast.
In this post, we will relay about the sites, hikes, and activities we managed to cram into a two-night, three-day visit to the Sunshine Coast.
It is a forty-minute ferry ride to the Sunshine Coast from Horseshoe Bay. Pictured here are the coastal mountains and Howe Sound as the sun rises over the peaks.
Sunshine Coast Ferry - Horseshoe Bay to Langdale
Depending on when you travel it is advisable to make a reservation with BC Ferries. We traveled just after a long holiday weekend and had missed the deadline for reservations but figured if we arrived early we would avoid any major delays. During peak times longer wait times are not uncommon.
Our diligence paid off and we made the 7:30 am sailing no problem. The return ferry ticket for one small car and four passengers was CAD$102.35, approximately US$ 82.00.
Emma and Simon on the Horseshoe Bay to Sunshine Coast Ferry
There is plenty of seating inside or outside on the passenger decks and we spent the entire crossing outside taking in the view of the coastal mountains, Bowen Island, Gambier Island, Keats Island, and the small vessels navigating the waters on a gorgeous early August morning.
We were lucky to have our daughter, Emma, and boyfriend, Simon, join us for this trip.
Travel time from Vancouver to Langdale on the Sunshine Coast is just under two hours not counting the wait time before the ferry departure.
Gibsons
Unfortunately, we arrived at the famous “Molly’s Reach” before their hours of operation. “Molly’s Reach” was the set for the CBC Hit TV Show "The Beachcombers" which ran from 1972 to 1991 and it now operates as a restaurant by the marina.
We strolled down to the impressive Gibsons Marina and sampled delicious baked goods and a coffee from Sandy’s Bake Shoppe along Gower Point Road.
Gibsons has modern amenities, gift boutiques, restaurants, and accommodation options should you decide to stay overnight.
“Molly’s Reach” was the set for the CBC Hit TV Show "The Beachcombers".
Roberts Creek
As we ventured up the Sunshine Coast, Roberts Creek Pier was our first stop. The first pier was constructed in 1914 in the steamboat era and ships arrived daily from Vancouver transporting goods and passengers.
The wooden pier is long gone but Roberts Creek is still a fascinating stop with a marvelous view of the Strait of Georgia and Vancouver Island looking to the southwest.
The path leading to Roberts Creek Pier on the BC Sunshine Coast
The area around the General Store and the Gumboot Cafe in Roberts Creek is a delight with several artisan shops, gift boutiques, and a post office, and we even heard live classical music coming from an outdoor small park area. We loved everything about Roberts Creek and could easily have spent more time.
The Gumboot Cafe in Roberts Creek on the Sunshine Coast of BC
Trout Lake Picnic Area
It was not on our agenda but we made a quick decision to stop at the Trout Lake Picnic area as we had brought our own lunch. The lake looked very inviting from the Sunshine Coast Highway and we could see people swimming.
There is a small parking lot and short trails leading to a small picnic area with two picnic tables overlooking Trout Lake. I would imagine the parking lot would fill up easily on busier days.
We enjoyed our lunch and decided we would not miss the opportunity for a quick dip in the lake. We all agreed the swim was invigorating in the freshwater lake.
Swimming at the Trout Lake Picnic Area along the Sunshine Coast Highway in BC.
Sunshine Coast Accommodation
Rockwater Secret Cove Resort
At the time of our Sunshine Coast trip, international travel was still limited and it was a challenge to find accommodation for our dates in early August.
This resulted in us splurging on our accommodation with a two-night stay at the amazing Rockwater Secret Cove Resort as it basically was the only available option.
The resort is located in the most enchanting rainforest coastal setting imaginable with its rocky shores on the Strait of Georgia and unrivaled views of Texada Island.
A tent suite at the Rockwater Secret Cove Resort
The Rockwater Secret Cove Resort has accommodation choices from tent house suites to rustic cabins or regular hotel rooms at the oceanview lodge. We stayed in an excellent room at the lodge and paid CAD$ 344.00 per night / $US 275.00.
We spent the latter part of the afternoon and early evening lounging in the sun by the pool while enjoying a couple of cold beverages. We swam in the pool and from the dock in the ocean. The evening was wrapped up with a tasty dinner at the resort.
Emma and Simon sit on the dock at the Rockwater Secret Cove Resort on the Sunshine Coast of BC
At sunset, we took the boardwalk and explored the resort area with the tent suites and agreed it would be a magical spot for a family or friends to celebrate a special occasion.
Smuggler Cove Marine Provincial Park
The second day on the Sunshine Coast started with a hike in Smuggler Cove Marine Provincial Park. The trailhead is a short 10-minute drive from the Rockwater Secret Cove Resort or approximately a 16-kilometer drive from Sechelt.
We rate the 4 km trail as easy to moderate. With the oldest in our group in our mid-fifties, we broke a sweat but had no trouble navigating the steeper sections with the highest point at 27 meters above sea level.
Boats anchored in Smuggler Cover Marina Provincial Park, BC Sunshine Coast
The trail has boardwalks and built-in stairs making the hike easy for everyone and you are instantly rewarded as you hike through the wetlands at the beginning of the hike. After a brief incline, Smuggler Cove comes into view, and at the turning point, you see the Straits of Georgia.
The area is popular with boaters and kayakers, and we found it to be a very worthwhile adventure for our inaugural Sunshine Coast trip.
One of the park signs stated the following: “During Prohibition (1920 to 1933) Smuggler Cove was used as a safe haven by rum-runners. They used ships to transport Texada Island alcohol to thirsty destinations in the United States.”
Smuggler Cove on the BC Sunshine Coast, Canada
A Quick Stop in Madeira Park
After our hike, we were starving for lunch and made a choice to head north instead of driving into Sechelt. Madeira Park is a 12-minute drive north of the Rockwater Secret Cove Resort.
We headed straight for Budabing Burgers, a popular burger spot but the owner kindly apologized that there would be a long wait. Harbour Pizza was closed (prep day, and again we met a friendly owner who apologized for the inconvenience).
Hiking the trails at Smuggler Cove Marina Provincial Park on the Sunshine Coast
A quick jump across the street and we settled in for coffees and sandwiches at Java Docks, a typical local cafe where we enjoyed the atmosphere for a while before exploring a couple of thrift shops along Madeira Park Road.
I stuck my head into the community hall where seniors had moved the lawn bowling game inside due to the heat.
Indoor lawn bowling at the Madeira Park Community Hall on the BC Sunshine Coast
In the late afternoon and early evening, we repeated the strenuously routine from the day before and exercised more lounging by the pool. We all swam out to the dock and spotted a couple of seals playing in the ocean as the sun was setting. A mesmerizing and unforgettable experience.
Sargeant Bay Provincial Park
On day three at the Sunshine Coast, we were backtracking to the ferry at Langdale and the goal was to explore another couple of attractions on the way. After check-out at the Rockwater Secret Cove Resort, we set the GPS for Sargeant Bay Provincial Park.
Distances are manageable at the Sunshine Coast and the drive to Sargeant Bay was only 15 minutes. It was early in the day and we were not ready for a swim yet and decided to walk along the beach instead.
The beach at Sargeant Bay Provincial Park on the BC Sunshine Coast
The driftwood makes for a great place to sit, catch the fresh morning air, and watch the first few morning swimmers arrive at the beach.
We walked the path behind the beach bordering the adjacent wetlands. A lone tree stands tall at the south end of the beach after being hit by lightning. The giant rock seen in the photo above is private land and you do not have access to it.
Sargeant Bay Provincial Park info sign
Sechelt
Sechelt - Land Between Two Waters
If you look at the map Sechelt is very intriguing situated between the Sechelt Inlet on the north side and the Strait of Georgia on the south side. Sechelt is a modern township with all amenities and we made brief stops on our way up and down the Sunshine Coast.
On this last day on the Sunshine Coast, we stopped for coffees and terrific focaccia bread at Lone Wolf Provisions. A real gem. We were en route to our last adventure before heading to the ferry for Horseshoe Bay and Vancouver.
The Sechelt Inlet and Salmon Inlet north of Sechelt is a playground for boating, kayaking, SUP stand-up paddleboarding, fishing, and camping.
On the east side of the Sechelt Inlet, you will find “Pedals & Paddles”, an outfit where you can rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.
“Pedals & Paddles” kayak and stand-up paddle board rentals on the Sechelt Inlet
Sechelt Inlet Kayak and Stand-Up Paddleboarding
We rented a recreational kayak and a stand-up paddleboard for two hours and shared the time between the four of us which was great for a quick trip around the small Lamb Islets. The staff at “Pedals & Paddles” were very friendly and we highly recommend them.
We met two women preparing for an overnight kayak/camping trip and they pointed out that Kunechin point was their favorite spot for overnight camping.
Emma and Di kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding on the Sechelt Inlet
The cost for the rentals was CAD$ 30.00 / US$ 24.00 for the kayak and the same for the stand-up paddleboard.
We had a refreshing swim in the bay before it was time to head back to Sechelt for ice cream at e.b.’s Ice Cream Shop by the Sechelt Friendship Pier. A fitting way to wrap up our three days on the Sunshine Coast.
A map of the Sechelt Inlet in BC, Canada
Sunshine Coast Final Thoughts
The Sunshine Coast was a slam dunk win for us. We had heard about the region for years but had never been and it is safe to say it exceeded our expectations.
We were especially drawn to the many coves on in the northwest region of the Sunshine Coast and have vowed to return to explore this area further at some point.
What did we miss? There is so much to see and do on the Sunshine Coast and, of course, it is not possible to cram it all into three days.
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The photos in this post are made using a Fujifilm X-Pro3. Lenses: XF 35mm f/1.4 R and XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR (links to my camera and lens reviews). Editing was done in Capture One Express. I have made use of Fujifilm film simulations.
