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2022 BC Coastal Circle Tour
Our biggest trip of 2022 is a 15-day circle tour of a beautiful section on the southern BC Coast, with stays in Sidney, Nanaimo, Comox, Powell River, and Gibsons. The 530km (including ferries) circle we drew: July 15 to 18: Sidney BC July 18 to 21: Nanaimo July 22: Bonus day in Comox, Goose Spit…
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Skookumchuck Narrows Hike
Quick Facts: The hike in Skookumchuck Narrows Provincial Park is perhaps the most famous of all hiking trails on the Sunshine Coast. It’s an fairly easy 8km hike to the Narrows, where impressive whirlpools at ebbing tide and standing rapids at flooding tide can be viewed. The volume of tide water in the entire Sechelt…
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Paddle in Smuggler Cove, Sunshine Coast
After a previous hike to Smuggler Cove, the idea of paddling here stuck. The cove looked so serene and quiet, and the surrounding areas looked like a fantastic rocky maze to explore. When the chance arrived, I jumped on it and put together a float plan. I would get up bright and early, and do…
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Sunshine Coast: Ruby Lake
Ruby Lake is a gorgeous lake with a nice resort and restaurant. It’s about 4km across, and it’s popular with boaters. There’s a public boat launch at Ramp Road, and there’s a small sandy beach at Dan Bosch Park down a short dirt path. Guests at the Ruby Lake Resort could also use their private…
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Sunshine Coast: Pender Harbour
If we didn’t have our super generous friends who let us house-sit for a week, and we had to vote on what we think is the best vacation spot the Sunshine Coast, I think Pender Harbour might just be the crème de la crème. Here are some reasons why. Painted Boat Spa Rated as one…
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Sunshine Coast: Halfmoon Bay
A bit further up from Sechelt is the community of Halfmoon Bay. Grandpa and I scouted the area for beach access and on-shore crabbing opportunities, and to prepare for my Smuggler Cove Paddle. Sargeant Bay Provincial Park Our first stop was Sargeant Bay Provincial Park, which grants easy access to a beautiful stretch of rocky…
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Sunshine Coast: Sechelt
Sechelt is the central hub of the Sunshine Coast. It houses the highest population in the region, has the most shops and restaurants, and is basically unavoidable as one travels through. We’ve spent considerable time in Sechelt on our previous trips, including camping at Porpoise Bay Provincial Park, and doing an expedition paddle trip up…
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Sunshine Coast: Gibsons
The last leg of our BC Coastal Circle Tour was also the reason why we planned a circle tour in the first place. Our super generous friends Nancy and Gordon offered to let us use their home in Gibsons while they were away on vacation for a week, so we extended our Vancouver Island trip…
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Powell River
Our time at Powell River was cut short due to ferry cancellation the day before, but we made the most of it. The Sea Walk The Powell River Sea Walk is a flat, 2.7km out and back trail (1.3km one way) right on the water’s edge starting near the ferry terminal. The views of the…
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Smuggler Cove Hike
Quick Facts: AllTrails link: Smuggler Cove, modified as a 2km out and back hike to the first fork on the map. Difficulty: moderate Traffic: heavy, with lots of dogs Facilities: pit toilet a trailhead View: cool boardwalk through wetland and nice views of Smuggler Cove at the end. After the fork, it wasn’t clear how…