COASTAL COMMUNITIES

Gibsons

Gibsons is known as the ´Gateway to the Sunshine Coast´.  If you are longing to find that perfect little seaside village with stunning views, quaint shops featuring local artisans, picturesque places to enjoy a coffee or a delicious meal, then Gibsons is the destination for you. The Langdale ferry terminal is only minutes from Gibsons, and is the beginning of your Sunshine Coast getaway.
[container]This charming little coastal town is famous for its role in the TV show "The Beachcombers". An old-fashioned fishing village climbing the hills, Gibsons looks down on the busy pier and a harbour filled with boats of every kind.  Along Marine Drive and Gower Point Road you will find many intriguing art galleries and unique shops for browsing, as well as cozy and welcoming coffee shops, pubs and restaurants, many overlooking the harbour.

The inlets and islands around Gibsons and up into Howe Sound are perfect for kayaking, sailing or pleasure cruising. Kayak rentals are available in the marina, or if you own your own boat, there are many marinas and marine parks in the area.  There are several wonderful beaches in and around Gibsons, all great places to beachcomb, go for a swim, or launch your kayak. They stretch from Armours Beach in Lower Gibsons, to Secret Beach along Gower Point Road, and out to Ocean Beach Esplanade in the Bonniebrook area. This stretch of shoreline is one of the nicest on the Coast. Take a stroll, go for a swim, explore the tidal pools or gaze at the spectacular sunsets.  

For more great information, be sure to check out:  Discover Gibsons[/container]

Roberts Creek

Roberts Creek is affectionately referred to as ´The Gumboot Nation´ (you will see why when you visit!).  Creekers are diverse, including business people, hippies, artisans and commuters - the community is unique.  It is a haven for artists, artisans and craftspeople, many of whom open their home studios to the public.  [container]Roberts Creek has a walking pier, sandy/rocky beach, estuary and a beautiful community mandala at the water. If you like to pick mussels and oysters and look for seashells, the beach at the Roberts Creek picnic grounds is a good place to visit at low tide.

Just up the hill from the beach is the Roberts Creek General Store, Gumboot Restaurant, Gumboot Café and the Heart of the Creek shopping area with gifts, clothing, organic food, outdoor gear with new stores opening on a regular basis.  Kayak rentals and tours are also available in the heart of The Creek for those wanting to explore the water further.

For more great information, be sure to check out:  Discover Roberts Creek
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Wilson Creek / Davis Bay / Selma Park

Between Roberts Creek and Sechelt, you pass through these 3 communities.  Wilson Creek offers retail shops, restaurants, and the turnoff to Dakota Ridge.  Davis Bay has one of the most beautiful beaches on the Sunshine Coast, dotted with restaurants and shops overlooking the ocean esplanade.  And Selma Park is a residential area hugging the ocean, with a small port and anchorage/marina.
[container]Dakota Ridge is an upcoming gem in the development phase of its life.  It is accessed from the Sechelt Chapman Forest Service Road from Wilson Creek´s Field Road.  The summer season attracts the mountain bike, off-road and hiking enthusiasts to the Dakota Ridge area. The winter season attracts the snowshoers and cross-country skiers because of the vast network of trails slicing through forests, leading out to open plateaus with magnificent views of the Sunshine Coast and the surrounding vistas and mountain ranges.

The sweeping views of Davis Bay across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island are unbroken by any offshore islands, and are a rarity along the otherwise sheltered coastline. On a clear day, Vancouver Island is visible enough that the individual communities stand out.  And as beautiful as this can be during the day, nighttime is breathtaking with all the sparkling lights revealing the locations of the Island´s cities and villages.

For more great information, be sure to check out:  Discover Wilson Creek - Davis Bay - Selma Park[/container]

Sechelt

No trip to the Sunshine Coast is complete without a visit to Sechelt, which literally means "Land Between Two Waters" in the Coast Salish tongue, because it is situated on a strip of land bordered on both sides by the Pacific Ocean.  Sechelt offers a plethora of seaside activities and in-town attractions to accommodate every interest. [container]Sechelt is your next stop along the highway, and is a mecca for both the retired and the adventuresome. Your biggest decision is whether to relax with spa services in the privacy of a B&B, or venture out to kayak, bike or hike. Or, if you prefer, the Sechelt Golf Course offers a challenging links-style championship length 18-hole course.

For more great information, be sure to check out:  Discover Sechelt[/container]

Halfmoon Bay

The romantic name of Halfmoon Bay suits this peaceful curve in the coastline. The region stretches northwest along the coast from Sargeant Bay and includes Redrooffs, Welcome Woods, Halfmoon Bay, Secret Cove and Wood Bay. [container]Halfmoon Bay is the Marine Park center of the Coast.  You are within boating distance of 4 magnificent marine parks and numerous Provincial parks.  Not so long ago, Smugglers Cove was the hideout for rum-runners on the Coast!  The whole of Jedediah Island is one of our newer marine parks. South Thormanby and Buccaneer Islands are havens for kayakers and boaters alike. And Sargeant Bay Provincial Park, Welcome Beach Park and Coopers Green Park all offer something unique for you to visit.

For more great information, be sure to check out:  Discover Halfmoon Bay
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Pender Harbour / Egmont

Pender Harbour is known as ´Venice of the North´ because of its maze of waterways.  If you try to figure out this area as you pass by on the Sunshine Coast Highway, you´ll be totally confused as to where freshwater lakes end and saltwater coves begin. [container]Pender Harbour´s huge, protected deep harbour has many intriguing bays, coves, and islands making it a boater´s paradise with some of the best diving, kayaking, and hiking to be found anywhere.  In addition to the ocean, a number of pristine fresh water lakes offer swimming, canoeing, trout fishing, and waterskiing, making it a perfect place to consider booking a fishing charter, or taking a boat tour to explore the various communities.  The many coves, bays, and islands around Pender Harbour make it the most popular diving spot on the Sechelt Peninsula.

For more great information, be sure to check out:  Discover Pender Harbour / Egmont
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Powell River / Lund / Texada Island

Powell River´s historic Townsite area offers a concentration of homes and commercial buildings constructed before 1930, with some even pre-dating World War I.  North of Powell River is the historic fishing village of Lund. Texada Island is reachable by another ferry out of Powell River. You can hike or bike around the island, stop and enjoy the beach, have lunch, or just relax and enjoy the views.
[container]Your first highlight is Saltery Bay Provincial Park just north of the Saltery Bay Ferry Terminal.  Among the most beautiful waterfronts in the B.C. parks system, its shores are the place to be if you want to view the seals and sea lions.

The area around Powell River has many lakes and sheltered ocean waters, providing an ideal location for canoeing, kayaking and scuba diving. Whether you´re an expert or novice, you´ll find everything you´re looking for.

For more great information, be sure to check out:  Discover Powell River / Lund / Texada Island
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