Key Tips
- Best Beach: Porpoise Bay for swimming, Davis Bay for easy access.
- Best Adventure: Kayak or SUP on Sechelt Inlet. Go with Pedals and Paddles
- Best Hike: Smuggler’s Cove for ocean views and a great swim at the end, Hidden Grove for forest vibes.
- Where to Eat: Juno or Basted Baker.
- Where to Stay: Stay Wilder. Cozy domes in the woods above the inlet.
Where to Stay (Before It’s Fully Booked)
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Location Map
All locations mentioned in this blog are pinned here so you can visualize your trip!
Best Things To Do in Sechelt
1. Kayak, SUP, or Canoe the Sechelt Inlet
Calm waters, mountain backdrops, and plenty of wildlife make paddling the Sechelt Inlet a must-do. Rentals are easy to book, and once you're out, keep your eyes open for seals, whales, bald eagles, and starfish in the shallows. Go for a few hours or make a full day of it with a picnic. Sunrise and sunset are especially magical.
We went out with Pedals and Paddles, and we highly recommend them. They are based further up the inlet, so you can get to the more interesting spots with way less paddling. The friendly staff also gave us a map and a big set of suggestions for how to make the best use of our time. They also offer multi-day rates for people who want to head out on the water for a few days and camp along the way.
| Location | Approximate Paddling Time |
|---|---|
| Tuwanek Beach | 1 Hour |
| Oyster Beach | 1 and 1/2 Hours |
| Nine Mile Beach | 2 Hours |
| Kunechin Point | 3 and 1/4 Hours |
| Piper Point | 1/2 an Hour |
| Skaikos | 2 Hours |
| Halfway Beach | 2 and 1/2 Hours |
| The 'Aquarium' | 2 Hours |
The paddle times in this table are listed in round-trip times. But keep in mind that wind conditions on the water can change abruptly, and your paddling time and effort will change significantly if you're battling a strong wind or current. The rental shop won't penalize you for being a bit delayed by the elements, but if you're pushing your abilities on the way there, keep in mind that the way back might be even harder.
Our personal favourite part of this is the area the staff call 'The Aquarium'. It's a small cove about halfway between Tuwanek Beach and Oyster Beach. The shallow water is a haven for all sorts of amazing sea life. You will see massive schools of fish, giant purple starfish, and maybe even some jellyfish. Go at low tide for the best experience.
We only went for a half day, but that is a good amount of time. We were able to check out the 'Aquarium' (pictured above), cruise by a huge gathering of seals, and make it to Oyster Beach, where we were able to stop for a break and have a swim. We don't recommend going much further unless you really like kayaking. The aquarium was the highlight, and Oyster Beach is a great spot for a swim. Our cup was full, and our arms were tired.
But if you love to kayak, definitely keep going up the coast to some of the farther points. Just be careful not to push yourself too hard. Winds can change quickly, and the way back might be significantly harder than your way there.
2. Beach Day, Dinner, or Sunset at Porpoise Bay
Porpoise Bay Provincial Park is one of the best family beaches around. The shallow, sandy water is warm and swimmable, with lots of room for picnics and lawn games. Stay into the evening if you can because sunsets here are wide open and colourful, framed by the mountains across the inlet. There are loads of free parking spaces and lots of public infrastructure like washrooms, picnic tables, and playgrounds.
This is one of the busiest beaches in the area. It's a huge beach, so the crowds can spread out a lot, but expect to be sharing the space with families and big groups.
We couldn't decide where to go for dinner, so we ended up just coming here and setting up our campstove and making some simple burgers. We had our camping table with us, but there are lots of picnic tables in the forested part right before the beach if you need them. The burgers were a 6/10, but we stuck around for sunset, which was a 10/10.
3. Browse The Sechelt Farmers Market
If you're in town on a Saturday, check out the farmers' market. It's full of local produce, baked goods, and crafts. It's one of the better farmers' markets we've been to in BC. It's massive compared to the size of the town. Talented artists are selling unique pieces, and you can sample a surprisingly authentic array of international dishes.
We were impressed by the prices here! It's not a place to go for discounts or deals, but we found the prices less inflated than other markets in BC.
4. Hike Smugglers Cove
Just a short drive from Sechelt, Smuggler’s Cove Provincial Park is one of the Sunshine Coast's most popular hikes. It gets super busy, and parking spills out into the street. Parking is free, but the lot will probably be full if you don't arrive early. You can park along the shoulder of the street, but it will add one more hill to your afternoon.
The trail is an easy 4km round trip with boardwalks, forest paths, and quiet inlets along the way. The highlight is the lookout at the end with sweeping views over rocky bays that used to shelter rum-runners during Prohibition. It's a gentle walk that works for most fitness levels, but there is some uneven ground towards the end.
There are great swim spots all along the bay and near the end of the hike, where the view looks out to the channel. You can swim anytime, but high tide is much better. At the highest tides, there are places you can jump straight into the channel, where at low tide you would need to scramble down quite a few barnacle-covered rocks before getting in.
We had no idea it was such a good swim spot, but then we started to notice that most of the other hikers were wearing bathers, and several of them were carrying a floaty. Once we saw someone with a paddleboard we knew we were underprepared.
5. Day Trip to Thormanby Island
Thormanby Island is just a short boat ride from Sechelt. The water taxi lands you on some of the most impressive sandy beaches in the province. Even better, the main beach is a massive sandbar that is all that connects the north and south islands. Once you've arrived (boat access only), you can pick between views of the Sunshine Coast stretching off into the horizon from the eastern side of the sandbar, or sprawling views of Texada Island and Vancouver Island on the west. There are full-time residents on both islands, but the sandbar that connects them is a provincial park. It's a perfect day trip with the option to camp overnight. Strong cellphone reception everywhere on the beach. Plan around the tides and bring all the supplies you need; there are no shops or water sources on the island.
This little sandbar is actually my favourite stretch of sand in the entire province. The views are incredible, and the sounds of the waves crashing against both shores simultaneously are perfect. Getting here is pretty easy with the water taxi, but once it turns around and leaves you, it feels like you're properly lost at sea (in a fun way though)
6. Visit Halfmoon Bay
Halfmoon Bay is half a town. The centrepiece is the Halfmoon Bay General Store. It came highly recommended to us by a fellow guest at our accommodation. He was mostly disappointed by his trip, but couldn't get over how great the general store was.
To his credit, it's one heck of a general store. They take to the task quite literally, and you could get any of your specialty groceries: meats, cheeses, vegan alternatives, ice creams, international foods, supplements, motor oil, school supplies, a well-curated selection of local beer and komboocha. They run a cafe/restaurant, and I'm pretty sure they might also sell kitchen sinks.
Grab snacks, drinks, or something from the cafe, and take it out to their patio. It would be best at high tide, because when we were there at low tide, the water had entirely left, and the waterfront by the patio was drying in the sun.
You can also walk down to the water. It's a big dock and a boat launch. It looks beautiful, like the rest of the coast, but you won't be missing out on anything special if you're short on time.
7. Beach Day at Davis Bay Beach
Right on the edge of town, Davis Bay is one of the most accessible beaches on the Sunshine Coast. At low tide, wide sandy patches open up for barefoot walks and lounging. At high tide, the beach narrows to a rocky strip with deeper water for swimming. Check the tides before heading out.
There’s a hot dog and ice cream stand in summer, decent washrooms, and lots of free waterfront parking. Perfect for a quick stop, a swim, or a low-key family beach day.
This beach stretches along the main street, making it easy access, but a bit less picturesque. Perfect if you just want a beach day and an ice cream, but Porpoise Bay beach has more impressive nature.
8. Check Out Roberts Creek (Between Gibsons & Sechelt)
It’s well worth the short drive south. Roberts Creek has one of the Sunshine Coast’s best beaches, complete with a long natural pier.
The Gumboot Restaurant is iconic, with great food and cozy vibes. Next door, One Tiny Farm sells fresh produce on an honesty system. Quirky, wholesome, and a quintessential Sunshine Coast stop.
There isn't so much to say about Robert's Creek, but I think you need to make this a stop. You could say that it's just a little town with one great restaurant and a few quirky shops, and you wouldn't be completely wrong, BUT there is something so charming here that can't be described. I immediately started daydreaming of starting life over and moving into a little cottage here. Alia wasn't quite as convinced, but she did agree that there was an atmosphere here that made it more than just a random little town.
9. Hike Hidden Grove
A short drive from Sechelt, Hidden Grove is a peaceful network of forest trails. You'll find stroller-friendly paths, short loops, and longer walks. They all stretch out under towering cedars and mossy forest. It's quiet, easy to access, and feels a world away from the city. Great for a morning stretch or a rainy-day wander.
We love a forested trail, and it's always fun to get out for a walk in the grove, but if you're used to BC forest walks, these probably won't blow your mind. If you only have time for one hike, I would pick Smuggler's Cove, but this is a great choice for a rainy day walk or a walk with a stroller or a low-mobility family member.
10. Sauna at Stay Wilder
Tucked in the forest just outside Sechelt, Stay Wilder's wood-fired sauna is the perfect reset after a long day on the trails. It's a cedar barrel sauna with a patio-style sitting area in a small clearing just a short walk from the camp. There is no cold plunge, but sitting out on the patio after a toasty sauna session and feeling the cool breeze coming off the inlet and up through the forest while smelling the smoke pouring out of the sauna is an incredible sensory experience with a bit less of a shock. Whether or not you're a guest, you can book a private session.
We did this in the morning since we were staying here, and it was amazing. The staff got the fire started before we arrived, and we could smell the cozy smoke and cedar scents all the way from our glamping pod. The sauna is tucked into the forest, making it awesomely private. We baked ourselves to perfection and then just sat out in the chairs, sipping our water and watching steam rise off our robes. It was a moment where we felt immense gratitude for the fact that we get to call BC home.
How to Get to Sechelt
- From Vancouver: Sechelt is about a 2.5 to 3-hour trip from downtown Vancouver. First, you'll drive (or bus) to the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal in West Vancouver. From there, take the ferry to Langdale. It's a scenic 40-minute crossing with mountain and ocean views the whole way. Once you're off the ferry, it's about a 50-minute drive north along Highway 101 to Sechelt. The highway hugs the coastline most of the way, so it's a beautiful drive.
- From Gibsons: If you're already in Gibsons, Sechelt is just a straight shot up Highway 101. The drive is around 25 minutes, passing by Roberts Creek (a perfect halfway stop if you've got time for a coffee or a beach walk). It's an easy, stress-free route that never gets too busy.
Practical Considerations
- Check the Tide Charts. Beaches here look completely different depending on the tide. Low tide means wide stretches of sand, while high tide can shrink them to just a narrow strip.
- Bring a Car (or Plan Around Transit). Distances are further than they look, and public transit is limited. A car makes it much easier to hop between beaches, hikes, and towns. A lot of things are a 5 to 10 minute drive away that can turn into close to an hour walking or waiting around for buses.
- Pack Layers. Even warm summer days can turn cool fast with the ocean breeze. A light jacket is essential.
- Slow Down. Shops close early, cafés take their time, and that's part of the Sunshine Coast charm. Lean into it and practise some patience.
Where to Stay In Sechelt
If you want a unique stay, we suggest Stay Wilder: a cluster of six geodesic domes tucked into the forest above Sechelt Inlet. Each dome has a proper bed, wood stove, and cozy setup; lux glamping at its finest. Shared spaces include a cooking area with gas burners, a propane fireplace, and lounge spots to hang out with other travellers.
There's limited water and power (you'll use a composting toilet and a camping-style shower), but that's part of the experience. The domes are spaced out enough for privacy but close enough that you'll end up chatting with fellow campers. Getting there requires a bumpy forest road, but any regular car should be able to handle it. Your car will for sure get dusty, and you risk some scrapes and marks from flying rocks (so don't bring a collectible).
If you're after something unique, this is the stay that makes the trip feel special.
How to get Around Sechelt
There are buses that run all along the Sunshine Coast, but they are mostly just useful for getting between the main towns. To see all the in-between spots, you will want a car. Everything is a quick drive apart, and Highway 101 is beautiful. If you need to rent a car, we suggest picking it up in the city and taking it across on the ferry. You can compare the deals from all the major brands here.
When to Visit Sechelt
- Summer (June to Sept): Best for beaches, paddling, and long evenings. Book ahead and prepare for more crowds.
- Fall (Sept to Nov): Quieter, cooler, and full of colourful foliage. Most things are still open, but the tourist load is much lighter.
- Winter (Dec to Feb): Rainy but peaceful. Ideal for slow travel and storm-watching. Some businesses close over the winter.
- Spring (Mar to May): Trails are quiet, flowers are blooming, and the weather is risky but prone to pleasant surprises.
Where to Go After Sechelt
There is a lot more to see along the coast past Sechelt, so there is no reason the trip needs to end here. Head north to Halfmoon Bay and Smuggler's Cove for more hikes and viewpoints, or continue toward Pender Harbour with its network of inlets and coves. And if you're really looking to extend your trip, consider taking a ferry from Earls Cove to Saltery Bay and exploring the northern stretch of the coast through Powell River and up to Egmont. And if that's STILL not enough for you, hop onto the water taxi at the end of the highway and head over to Savary Island for a few nights.
Or if you're headed southbound, Gibsons makes for a lively day trip, and Roberts Creek is a sweet stop along the way.
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