Exploring the Sunshine Coast

Imagine a place with white-sand beaches, plenty of boating and fishing opportunities, an abundance of outdoor recreation facilities and hardly any rain. It may sound like a tropical paradise, but it's not. It's Canada's own Sunshine Coast -- a destination so naturally beautiful and culturally diverse, it's sure to captivate even the most discriminating tastes.

	Willingdon Beach Trail, Powell River Photo Courtesy Rod Innes

The Sunshine Coast is a scenic stretch of land located just slightly north of Vancouver on B.C.'s legendary coastline. Every year, the numerous beaches attract thousands of visitors who come to swim and sunbath but find themselves enticed by the small-town charm and hospitality of communities such as Gibsons and Roberts Creek.

While the municipal areas alone are reason enough to make the trek to the Sunshine Coast, travellers who do not take time to explore the natural beauty of the surrounding forests and lakes are doing themselves an injustice. The region, which is home to over 20 provincial parks, is known worldwide for its hiking, scuba diving and boating opportunities.

A utopia of sorts, the Sunshine Coast offers unexploited natural landscapes and warm, generous locals. There are many ways to explore the region, from helicopter tours to boat tours to good old fashioned walking tours--each providing a unique experience to uncover every nook and cranny this natural wonderland has to offer.

Click here for a map of the Sunshine Coast.

FIRST THINGS FIRST: HOW TO GET TO THE SUNSHINE COAST

Because of its proximity to the metropolitan area of Vancouver, getting to the Sunshine Coast is surprisingly quick and easy, and can often be done in less than half-a-day.

	Crossing Howe Sound

Over Water
Taking a ferry through the Georgia Strait is a relaxing way to get acquainted with the stark coastal landscape of B.C.'s western shoreline. Although the Sunshine Coast is located on B.C.'s mainland, visitors need to take a ferry across Howe Sound. Yet another ferry is required for those planning to continue on to Powell River. BC Ferries offers frequent service to and from the four Sunshine Coast ferry terminals, located at Langdale, Earls Cove, Saltery Bay and Powell River. Rates vary depending on vehicle size, distance, passenger age and season. The trip from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale is a scenic 40 minutes, while the picturesque journey from Earls Cove to Saltery Bay takes around 50 minutes. A ferry also runs from Comox to Powell River for those who are coming from the Vancouver Island region. BC Ferries can accommodate any size of vehicle from bikes to RVs, making it a convenient and affordable way to not only get from place to place, but also to explore coastal BC.

Through the Air
Despite the area's relative closeness to several urban centres, many people chose to fly to the Sunshine Coast, allowing them the chance to take in the rich natural scenery of the region from an aerial viewpoint. This birds-eye view, however, is a rather brief encounter. Flights from Vancouver to anywhere on the Sunshine Coast take less than an hour, and quite often less than 30 minutes. The Sunshine Coast has two regional airports at Powell River and Sechelt. The Powell River airport is located on the east side of the city, not far from central Powell River, while the Sechelt airport is located in the adjacent municipality of Wilson Creek, not far from downtown Sechelt.

Several airlines service the area. Travellers can catch a flight to Powell River from Vancouver, Courtenay and Campbell River, and to Sechelt from Vancouver, Victoria, Courtenay, Campbell River and Nanaimo.

Over Land
Most cities and towns on the Sunshine Coast are accessible from Vancouver via bus, so visitors to the area are encouraged to sit back and enjoy the scenery on one of the several bus lines that service the area. Motorcoach rides from Vancouver can take anywhere from 1.5 to 6 hours, depending on the route.

Travel by car can be quite a bit quicker, but in most cases driving ends up being slower, since few can resist the charismatic communities and dazzling vistas that line the roadways. Unsuspecting passengers are often ambushed by lively festivals and adorable animals that have been known to pop up along the way.

THE MANY WAYS TO EXPLORE THE SUNSHINE COAST

Once in the area, the journey to one's destination can be the best part of the trip, since getting from town to town usually involves coming across a community or natural area that isn't on the map. The Sunshine Coast is small in area and densely packed with villages, parks and beaches, so whether travelling by foot, over water or in the sky, any transit mode promises its own memorable adventure.

On the Road
Until the 1940s, the Sunshine Coast had no real roads and travel was accomplished entirely by boats. Nowadays, travelling through this region is much more straightforward. The Sunshine Coast is conveniently connected by the scenic Sunshine Coast Highway, which stretches all the way from Langdale to Lund, making it easy for visitors to take a driving holiday. Also called Highway 101, the Sunshine Coast Highway makes an appearance in all of the major cities and towns, and is a sight in itself, weaving visitors through lush forest, stunning coastline and picturesque towns and villages. However, the highway can be narrow with reduced visibility at some points, especially around the Pender Harbour area, so caution is advised.

Sunshine Coast residents boast that Highway 101 is the longest in North America, starting in Lund and ending in Mexico, but the actual Sunshine Coast portion is quite short. Driving from the Langdale ferry terminal to the Pender Harbour region only takes about an hour, while the journey from the Earl's Cove ferry terminal to Powell River takes 25 minutes. Within the municipalities, Highway 101 often serves as the main drag and is a continual hub of activity.

Those without vehicles at their disposal can still roam this remarkable destination. Residents and visitors can count on public transportation to take them where they need to go. The Sunshine Coast Transit System provides regular service to all the communities from Langdale to Halfmoon Bay, including Gibsons, Sechelt and Roberts Creek. On the upper Sunshine Coast, the Powell River Regional Transit System offers regular service to Powell River and additional limited service to the surrounding rural communities. Since the total length of the region is only 148 km (92 mi), about the distance between Calgary and Banff or Baltimore and Philadelphia, having a car is not a necessity but rather a luxury. Hiking, biking and boating are just some of the other ways for visitors to see the region.

	Boat leaves the Powell River Harbour Photo Courtesy Jean Brockman

On The Water
Considering the topography of the Sunshine Coast, it seems that the natural way to explore the region is on the water. Having evolved from a fishing community, the focal point in each of the towns is its harbour, which now serves as a meeting point for the close to 40 motorized and sail boat tours. Because of the large amount of Salmon and Shellfish in the region's fertile waters, fishing tours are especially abundant, and visitors jump at the chance to see the sights while catching themselves a fresh meal. Sightseeing tours are a popular means to explore marine regions not accessible by road. Visitors come from around the globe to make their way through the spectacular Princess Louisa Inlet. Characterized by crisp waters that exist peacefully alongside craggy cliffs and mountains, the inlet is known worldwide for its magnificent views and rugged charm.

But it would be impossible to hear the call of a loon or the bark of a sea lion over the rumble of a motorboat. Therefore, there are over 20 companies in the region that offer guided kayaking and canoe tours. Non-motorized vessels allow boaters to fully appreciate this mesmerizing natural microcosm without jeopardizing the tranquility that the Sunshine Coast is famous for.

Dinner cruises are an excellent way to unwind after a long day of exploration, and no trip to the Sunshine Coast would be complete without gazing at the stars while feasting on the West Coast's scrumptious signature entrée - seafood.

For those adventurous folk who wish to explore the water according to their own agenda, each Sunshine Coast town has a number of sporting equipment rental shops where tourists can get kayaks, canoes, scuba equipment and anything else their nautical hearts desire. There are numerous waterways for kayakers to explore, including the Teakerne Arm Provincial Marine Park, which is located on an island just north of Lund and features a spectacular waterfall. The Powell Forest Canoe Route is highly recommended as a means to explore the area for both novice and expert canoers. Doing the route in its entirety would take about a week, but many short stretches of the route can be accomplished on their own.

On Foot

	Molly's Reach Photo Courtesy Jennifer Lawrence

Numerous scenic villages sprinkle the shoreline of the Sunshine Coast, and they are all worth exploring at the slower pace walking can provide. The most well-known of these is Gibsons, which, for 17 years, was the setting for the popular Canadian sitcom, The Beachcombers. This friendly fishing village is small enough to explore by foot but large enough to earn the reputation of a flourishing urban centre. By heading to the southeast end of School Road, visitors will find themselves at legendary Molly's Reach restaurant, made famous by the aforementioned sitcom, and the Gibsons Harbour. From there, tourists can browse the shops along scenic Molly's Lane or take a stroll in Winegarden Park.

Powell River also offers an excellent walking tour in its Historic Townsite. The city got its start in the early 20th century and was completely pre-planned by its industrial leaders. Visitors enjoy exploring the intricate architecture and infrastructure that they would probably miss just whizzing by in a car. Tours can be self-guided, or an expert tour can be booked through The Townsite Heritage Society. The towns of Sechelt, Halfmoon Bay, Roberts Creek and Madeira Park are also excellent places to explore by foot. The small-town charm and cultural prosperity of the Sunshine Coast will delight any visitor.

	Hiker Near Powell Lake Photo Courtesy Rod Innes

Those looking for more rurally-based walking adventures are in luck, since the Sunshine Coast is an intricate network of meandering wilderness trails. Outdoor extremists will no doubt find themselves enticed by the Sunshine Coast Trail, a 180-km (112-mi) multi-day feat that offers its challengers access to majestic wildlife, unexploited lakes and forested serenity. Backcountry experts and hiking enthusiasts often complete the entire trail over the course of a few days, but those who aren't so keen on wilderness camping can take certain sections at a time.

The Sunshine Coast Trail isn't the only option for hikers. The region has a plethora of other hiking trails, which range in duration and difficulty. The Chapman Creek Trail in Davis Bay is popular for its hidden gnome faces, carefully carved by local sculptor Terry Chapman, that appear sporadically along the trail. The Cliff Gilker Park Trails, located near Roberts Creek, traverses a babbling brook at several points and eventually leads to a small yet sensational waterfall.

On Two Wheels
The Sunshine Coast is a network of small communities that lie within close proximity of one another, and biking is therefore a natural (and fun) way to explore the towns and villages of the region. Visitors can follow the picturesque main highway, though try to avoid riding at peak traffic times, such as when the Langdale or Earls Cove Ferry arrives. The scenic side streets of the various districts are also worth exploring at a slower pace. Redroofs Road in Halfmoon Bay is a particularly pretty diversion from the principal route.

Cycling off the beaten path offers access to spectacular scenery that is often not seen in developed areas. For rural dwellers, the forested areas offer exciting mountain biking adventures that make use of the many retired logging routes in the area. The area around Roberts Creek is especially well known for its mountain biking trails. Enthusiasts will want to explore the thrilling courses of the area, particularly the Clack Creek, Roberts Creek and Brodie Trails biking loops.

	Seaplane Terminal Photo Courtesy of Michelle Fairbanks

In The Sky
Many of the most breathtaking spots on the Sunshine Coast aren't accessible by road, including the legendary Princess Louisa Inlet, the Caren Mountain Range and the Stillwater Timberland area. Boating or hiking to these areas aren't the only options for nature fanatics, since sometimes the best way to explore an area in its entirety is via a helicopter or airplane tour. Numerous airlines and helicopter companies offer sightseeing tours of the area, and while these tours won't allow visitors to absorb the fine details of the region, they facilitate nature appreciation on a larger scale, making it possible to examine the striking balance between the mighty marine and forest environments on the west coast of Canada. Fishing enthusiasts will be interested to know that heli-fishing tours are available, which can take anglers to remote regions where the fish are plentiful. And while the thought of chartering a plane seems extravagant, it needn't be. Air sightseeing tours can be available for less than $100 per person, certainly a reasonable price for such a priceless experience.