Sunshine Coast Explorer

Trip Highlights

• Join local guides on a boat tour through glacially carved fjords, Malibu Rapids and into Princess Louisa Inlet to explore the iconic Chatterbox Falls.
• Relax on the many beaches along the coast, and try your hand at stand-up paddle boarding, mountain biking, or fishing (rentals optional).
• Embark on a float plane tour over Sechelt Inlet and surrounding area.
• Hike to the turbulent rapids of Skookumchuk Narrows, famous among kayakers and surfers for the standing waves when the tide is right.
• Spend an afternoon strolling the charming seaside towns of Sechelt and Gibsons, visiting the many eclectic shops, art galleries, restaurants and cafes.
• Enjoy an evening of waterfront dining featuring fresh local seafood and west coast cuisine, or pull up a seat at one of the many local breweries in town.
• Relax in style at a lodge in Madeira Park, and a quaint B&B in the forest of Robert's Creek.

Day 1: Horseshoe Bay to Gibsons and Roberts Creek

The trip begins at Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal in West Vancouver where you'll board the ferry to the Sunshine Coast. Spend the ~40 minute scenic ride on the sun deck, or grab a coffee and watch the view from the lounge. Once you arrive on the Coast, make your way to the town of Gibsons - a charming seaside village with the backdrop of the Howe Sound and coast mountains in the distance. Enjoy lunch at our favourite cafe or one of the waterfront restaurants, followed by a stroll along the harbour, a visit to the Gibsons Public Market and Marine Education Centre, or pop into the many eclectic shops and galleries in town. To get acquainted with the area, join an Indigenous-led historical walking tour, kayak or stand-up paddle board tour of the Gibsons Harbour.

Continue on your drive up the coast to Roberts Creek and settle into a peaceful Bed & Breakfast where a welcome dinner is waiting. The evening is free to enjoy as you wish - we recommend spending time on the beach to enjoy the sunset and perhaps even a campfire. The Bed & Breakfast also features spa services and a hot tub. Meals included: Dinner.

Day 2: Sea Kayaking and Exploring Sechelt

After breakfast at the B&B, it's time to get out on the water and explore the coast by sea kayak. This half-day guided tour will take you through the protected waters around Sechelt Inlet, Halfmoon Bay, or Smuggler Cove depending on the group's interests and ability. Keep an eye for marine mammals and bird life as you paddle along the rugged shoreline, including seals and jellyfish.

The afternoon is an open canvas - we'll work with you to plan an itinerary that suits your interests. Explore the towns of Sechelt, Roberts Creek or Gibsons, with no shortage of local cafes, craft shops and galleries. Spend the day hiking nearby trails, or relax on the beach with a good book. Other guided experiences include an Indigenous cultural walking tour, Forest Bathing experience, brewery tour, or art tour where you'll get behind-the-scenes with some of the many renowned artists on the coast.

We can recommend some fantastic restaurants for a nice dinner out by the water, whether you're craving fresh oysters, Mexican, Italian, or a true fine dining experience. Meals included: Breakfast.

Day 3: Sechelt, Madeira Park & Ruby Lake

Start your day with a stroll along the beach or a hike among the lush rainforest trails nearby. Mid-morning, make your way to the Sechelt Harbour where you'll join a scenic float plane tour over the Sechelt Inlet and surrounding islands. This is a perfect way to see the Coast, to marvel at the expansive fjords and the Strait of Georgia, endless coastline, and waterfront villages scattered throughout. After lunch in Sechelt, continue your road trip up the coast. Stop into Smuggler Cove for an easy hike through the marine park (roundtrip - 4km).

The next stop is Madeira Park and Pender Harbour for a stroll along the waterfront, watching the fisherman come and go as you spot bald eagles soaring above. Check-in to your waterfront villa in Madeira Park and enjoy dinner at the restaurant on-site. Meals included: Breakfast.

Day 4: Princess Louisa Inlet & Chatterbox Falls Tour

Today you join a guided boat tour from Egmont to Princess Louisa Inlet and the iconic Chatterbox Falls. This is a full day tour and requires a packed lunch. The first two hours are spent weaving up the Jervis Inlet, where you'll marvel at the glacial-carved fjords with their impressive granite walls rising from the ocean to plateaus some 1500m above. Along the way, your local guide will delight with stories of the fascinating history of this area - from historic homesteads, trade routes, and logging, to First Nations hunting, overwintering grounds, and pictographs.

At the entrance to Princess Louisa Inlet, the boat slows as you meander through the powerful Malibu Rapids, feeling the push and pull from the current in every direction. The final cruise up the inlet to Chatterbox Falls is nothing short of breathtaking - the steep granite walls narrow in, and melting snowpack and fresh rain can create as many as 60 waterfalls flowing down the rock faces. At the head of the inlet, you approach Chatterbox Falls, an impressive waterfall tumbling 40m into the ocean. This area is said to be the most beautiful anchorage in the world, and you'll join other sightseers and boaters alike as you tie up at the dock and head into the park. Enjoy lunch ashore and time to explore the falls and surrounding Provincial Park.

You return to Egmont by mid/late afternoon, with time to hike to the famous Skookumchuk narrows rapids, or simply relax in the sun and reflect on your day. For your final night, we recommend a luxurious dinner at the West Coast Wilderness Lodge, or visiting Ruby Lake Resort for a fresh Italian dinner. Meals included: Lunch.

Day 5: Return to Gibsons and Horseshoe Bay

Spend the morning relaxing by the lake or take out a canoe or stand-up paddle board for a cruise on the calm water. As you make your way leisurely down the coast, the scenic stops are yours for the choosing. When you reach Gibsons, enjoy a final stroll along the beach or the harbour, or stop for a drink at Persephone Brewing - a local favourite. Catch your ferry in the afternoon at a time of your choosing - with the option to extend your stay. The trip ends at Horseshoe Bay where you can carry on to Vancouver or up the Sea to Sky for more adventures in the mountains. Meals included: N/A.