7 Days / 6 Nights

What could define a family vacation on the Sunshine Coast more than sea kayaking the beautiful waters off Gibsons Harbour, horseback riding in the Caren Range, fishing at the Chapman Creek Fish Hatchery and discovering nature & wildlife at the Iris Griffith Interpretive Centre?  Stay in a cottage in the woods, a family suite or a family-friendly Bed & Breakfast on the ocean.  The Sunshine Coast offers more family fun than you can imagine!


Day 1  
Your journey begins with a stunningly scenic 40 minute ferry ride aboard BC Ferries from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale. You will cruise through a breathtakingly beautiful passage studded by emerald islands.  The ferry provides lots of entertainment and room for the whole family. On board amenities include a 'Kids Zone' play area and a 'Video Zone' with arcades full of zapping and blasting fun for the young and young at heart! Upon arrival, the scenic seaside village of Gibsons is your welcoming point to the Sunshine Coast.  

Gibsons Landing is a great place to explore on foot. Enjoy a stroll along the public wharf and promenade, continue along Molly's Lane and discover a meandering streetscape of antique shops, galleries, bookstores, markets and restaurants.  Visit the Sunshine Coast Museum and learn about local maritime history, spanning from explorer Captain George Vancouver to the 19th-century Union Steamships. You can also admire a model Coast Salish village, pour over vintage logging equipment, and get your pop culture kicks from exhibits on the hit CBC TV series, The Beachcombers (filmed in Gibsons for 19 years). Housing 9,000-plus documents and photographs, the on-site archives are worth checking out too.  

Tonight enjoy dinner at the Sita's Spag Shack featuring home-style Italian cuisine.  This fun & friendly restaurant is a favourite with the locals and features a great menu that offers something for everyone.  

Retire & rejuvenate at the Bed & Breakfast, Suite  or Cottage of your choice


Day 2
Escape into the wilds of nature, and paddle the crystal clear waters of the Sunshine Coast in a fun, safe and educational environment.  Sunshine Kayaking is conveniently located in Gibsons Harbour and offers guided tours that are designed specifically for those looking for a quick escape on the water and an introduction to kayaking. Be sure to bring your camera as seals, bald eagles, great blue herons, and river otters abound!  No experience is necessary and the journey is guaranteed to be FUN for ALL AGES!

Afterwards, enjoy lunch at the Wild Bistro, enjoy comfort food with a wild twist - pretty much everything is made from scratch, with love... you can taste it!

In the afternoon, hike in Cliff Gilker Regional Park, where you will discover a large growth Douglas Fir forest.  The trails will take you alongside Roberts Creek - where you'll criss-cross over the flowing water at various points on rustic wooden bridges.  The highlight of this hike is the waterfall.  With over 7 kms of scenic nature trails, a grassy playing field, children's play area and washroom facilities, this is a favourite spot for families.

This evening dine in historic Lower Gibsons at Leo's Tapas & Grill where you will enjoy a choice of authentic Greek cuisine, ribs, steak and pasta.  This fabulous Mediterranean restaurant offers a dining room, large outdoor patio and live entertainment on weekends.

Retire & rejuvenate at the Bed & Breakfast, Suite  or Cottage of your choice


Day 3
For an affordable family fun activity, be sure to visit Chapman Creek Fish Hatchery for a guided tour and kids fishing.  The education centre details the life cycle of salmon and visitors can see the tiny fingerlings ready for release into Chapman Creek.

Maybe spend the remainder of the day at Davis Bay Beach - this long stretch of beach is a hotspot during the summer months and is home to plenty of activities, including; sandcastle building, walking the seawall, crabbing off the pier, skim-boarding and plain old swimming. There are plenty of shops nearby, including an ice-cream vendor to help people cool down.  

Tonight, enjoy homemade Italian specialties at the Old Boot Eatery in Sechelt.  This popular upbeat, funky Italian eatery specializes in homemade bread, pizza, pasta & ribs and features a kids menu.

Retire & rejuvenate at the Bed & Breakfast, Suite  or Cottage of your choice


Day 4
On summer Saturday mornings, visit the eclectic Sechelt Farmer's Market where you'll find a wide variety of local produce picked fresh that morning, plus jams, fresh baked breads & goodies and local artisans with their wares, to name just a few.   You could possibly pick up some yummy items along the way for a picnic lunch to savour later in the day.

Spend the afternoon at Porpoise Bay Provincial Park with its sandy, gently sloping beaches.  The park also offers open grassy areas, kayak rentals, cycling & hike trails and an outdoor amphitheatre.  Unquestionably, a family favorite with the locals!

For dinner, relax and unwind at Pebbles Restaurant and enjoy the expansive views that encompass the Trail Islands, early evening parade of cruise ships that pass by in the summer on their way to Alaska and the pretty twinkling lights of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.

Retire & rejuvenate at the Bed & Breakfast, Suite  or Cottage of your choice


Day 5
Discover why visitors are enchanted with the haven of natural bays & inlets at the top end of the Lower Sunshine Coast.  A relaxing scenic drive North takes you along the coast line passing by Sargeant Bay Provincial Park (where hundreds of trees and logs are washed up along the beach), Halfmoon Bay Lookout, Halfmoon Bay, Pender Harbour and Garden Bay.  This spectacular drive will afford views of numerous islands, coves and reefs which has been called "the Venice of the North".  Nature lovers and families with children are well-advised to visit the Iris Griffith Interpretive Centre.  Housed in an environmentally friendly building next to the Denise Cargill Wildlife Sanctuary, it positively burgeons with dragonflies, turtles and various bird species.  Learn about the nesting habits of marbled murrelets in old-growth forests, check out salamanders in the aquariums, or view samples of the ancient yellow cedar trees in the nearby Caren Range.  Kids can discover and learn about wildlife, nature and environmental stewardship in the Kid's Area which features puzzles, books, art and craft activities, puppets and dress up clothes.

Visit Malaspina Ranch for a guided Horseback Riding adventure. Sturdy trail horses take you to mountainous elevations of up to 1,800 feet. From these heights, you will be able to appreciate spectacular views of the ocean, the Caren Mountain Range, Mount Daniel and Pender Harbour. Excursions last up to about 2 hours at a walk, trot or canter and are suitable for riders of all levels.

While in the Pender Harbour area, it would be a shame to miss eating at The Restaurant at Painted Boat.  This casually elegant restaurant has a distinctly modern, coastal feel.

Retire & rejuvenate at the Bed & Breakfast, Suite  or Cottage of your choice


Day 6
In the morning, why not take the family to the Sechelt Aquatic Centre.  The centre features a shallow leisure pool with a lazy river, separate deep water lap pool, 250 foot waterslide, sauna, hot tub, steam room, fun water features (sprayers, tumbling buckets and water curtain), rope swing, diving board and family change rooms.  Hours of fun for everyone!

This afternoon, immerse yourself in the scenery as you embark on a leisurely boat ride through the sheltered waters of Porpoise Bay.  Mermaid Boat Tours invites you aboard their 25 ft luxury pontoon boat.  You'll enjoy up-close views of such wildlife as sea lions, seals, birds and possibly the friendly and entertaining, White Sided Dolphins.  

Discover one of the many great restaurants in Sechelt. Some favourites include the Seashell Garden Restaurant specializing in Chinese dishes, Daphne's Restaurant featuring a Greek & Mediterranean menu and Sushi Bar 5517 offering authentic Japanese cuisine.

Retire & rejuvenate at the Bed & Breakfast, Suite  or Cottage of your choice


Day 7
A perfect ending to your trip is taking the kids to feeds the ducks at the Sechelt Marsh.  Once a beaver pond, the marsh is now a small sanctuary and breeding ground for waterfowl. A pleasant, easy stroll around the marsh will give you a chance to view many species, including buffleheads, redwing blackbirds, Canada geese and friendly mallards.

Pleasantly tired, make your way back to Langdale and take in the views of the spectacular North Shore Mountains as you board your ferry home.  

Sunshine Coast is your holiday paradise with ..... something for everyone .....
something for you!

Sunshine Coast Family Adventure

Sunshine Coast Family Adventure

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