Where is the Sunshine Coast?

The Sunshine Coast is located in southwest British Columbia and stretches 180 km (110 mi) along the Strait of Georgia from Howe Sound to Desolation Sound. Although it is part of BC's mainland, access to the region is primarily by BC Ferries, creating an island atmosphere.

In addition to travelling to the Sunshine Coast by ferry, you can also arrive by motorcoach and by air. See below for details.

BC Ferries on the way to the Sunshine Coast

ferry transportation

BC Ferries

BC Ferries provides scheduled service for vehicles and pedestrians from both Vancouver and Vancouver Island. These ferries take all vehicles (including bicycles) as well as foot passengers. Pets are welcome, but must remain on the vehicle deck. Check the BC Ferries website for information on fares, schedules and ships' amenities and services. Extra sailings are added during peak periods* and the schedule is subject to change in summer, so please check website for current information.

From Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal in West Vancouver, catch the 40-minute sailing through scenic Howe Sound to Langdale ferry terminal, the southern entry point for the entire Sunshine Coast.

Connecting the Upper & Lower Sunshine Coast, BC Ferries offers several daily sailings through some stunning scenery.  This trip takes 50 minutes with terminals in Earl's Cove on the Lower Sunshine Coast and Saltery Bay on the Upper Sunshine Coast.

From Comox on Vancouver Island to Powell River at the northern end of the Sunshine Coast, BC Ferries offers several daily sailings for this 1 hour and 20 minute trip.

From Powell River to Texada Island, BC Ferries offers several daily sailings for this 35 minute trip.

Another route of access from Vancouver Island is from Nanaimo where you take the 90-minute ferry from Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver.  You then connect to the 40-minute sailing to Langdale on the Lower Sunshine Coast.

For information on BC Ferries fares, go to Ferry Fares.

BC Ferries CirclePac
Save 15% on regular one-way fares while touring the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island with this special four-route package.

Sail More, Save More with SailPass
Save up to 38% on multi-route ferry travel passes. SailPass is a single price ticket that lets you choose from up to 20 routes to adventure along the BC coast, between the Mainland and Vancouver Island, the Northern and Southern Gulf Islands and the Sunshine Coast. Visit our cities, nature hike, cycle, tour an artist's studio or just spend some time beachcombing.  For more information on costs and itineraries, check the website

*Need to be sure you get a particular sailing? Reservations are available for vehicles on major routes.

Bus Transportation To & Around the Sunshine Coast

Motorcoach from Vancouver to the Sunshine Coast up to Powell River

Malaspina Coach Lines operates a convenient bus service between Vancouver International Airport, downtown Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast all the way to Powell River via select ferry sailings.

Public Transit from Vancouver to Horseshoe Bay
The West Vancouver Blue Bus #257 Horseshoe Bay Express departs downtown Vancouver in front of The Bay department store throughout the day, bringing passengers directly to the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal. Buses are wheelchair accessible and are equipped with bike racks.

Sunshine Coast Public Transit System provides local bus service for foot passengers between the ferry terminal and the Sechelt area, with frequent stops along the way. Buses are wheelchair accessible and are equipped with bike racks.

Malaspina Coach Lines

Airline Transportation to the Sunshine Coast

West Coast Air provides scheduled floatplane service and charters to Sechelt from Vancouver Regional Airport, Victoria and Nanaimo.

Tofino Air provides scheduled floatplane service and charters from Vancouver Regional Airport and Vancouver Island into Sechelt. New service includes Victoria.

Saltspring Air provides float plane service from downtown Vancouver to Madeira Park every Friday and Monday.

KD Air provides flights from Vancouver to Gillies Bay on Texada Island.

WestJet provides daily scheduled service into Comox Airport on Vancouver Island from most major Canadian cities as well as many US cities.

Getting Around the Sunshine Coast

Sunshine Coast Transit System provides local bus service for foot passengers between the ferry terminal and the Sechelt area, with frequent stops along the way. Buses are wheelchair accessible and are equipped with bike racks. Their site has maps of all routes noted below.

Malaspina Coach Lines has scheduled service from Gibsons to Powell River with many stops along the way.

Sunshine Coast Taxi provides service to and from the ferry terminal.
Gibsons area: 604-886-7337
Sechelt area: 604-885-3666

Vehicle Rentals
Prime Rentals (604)885-6422 and Skookum Chrysler. (604) 886-3493

Sunshine Coast Limousine, Shuttle & Taxi Service provides a variety of transportation services on the Lower Sunshine Coast. Call to ask about your particular needs, including pickup from the ferry terminal.

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