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.

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

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.

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.

Wharf Street (part of the Sunshine Coast Highway through Sechelt) takes you past restaurants with outdoor seating and local cafes where the food is as fine as the West Coast coffee. Wander around here and you will find some interesting shops tucked away.  Continue around the corner down Cowrie Street to the main shopping area with its mix of craft, antique, hemp and second-hand shops. Sechelt also has a shopping centre and choice of supermarkets. Experienced visitors to Sechelt never miss the Saturday Farmers Market located in the Raven's Cry parking lot, available from spring to fall. Lots of wonderful homemade creations with fresh baked breads, local produce, plants and crafts.

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.

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.

Just before the Earls Cove Ferry Terminal, take Egmont Road to the Skookumchuck Narrows Provincial Park where you will witness the awesome power of one of the world's fastest tidal rapids.  It is also playground to those daring kayakers who like to play in the dangerous whirlpools and rapids.  From here you can also explore Princess Louisa Inlet, or any of the nearby fishing villages.

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.