This small, picturesque all-weather anchorage near Secret Cove has authentic pirate history. Following the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway, William Kelly smuggled illegal Chinese immigrants from Vancouver into the US by sea for $1 each. He evaded arrest by hiding in Smuggler Cove. During Prohibition in the 1920s, the Cove was used to store bootleg liquor en route from stills on Texada Island to rum-running boats heading to the US.

Today, Smuggler Cove is a beautiful 182-hectare marine park, and one of the most popular and best summer anchorages on the Sunshine Coast. A maze of rock faces, sand flats, rocky nooks and three large anchoring basins for cruising boats, the cove is accessed from the north end of Welcome Pass. Entry is best made at low tide when reef and rock projections are visible. There are many eye bolts located along the shoreline to accommodate stern lines. In summer there is usually a fair collection of boats anchored here, and it is a popular jumping-off point for paddlers wishing to explore several offshore islands in what is one of the most scenic locations on the Sunshine Coast.

Extensive walking trails meander through the peaceful forest offering spectacular views of the Strait of Georgia, Welcome Passage and nearby islands. The extensive rocky shoreline, lagoons and tidal pools offer hours of enjoyment. The park provides easy hiking on a number of short forested trails or a 3.5 km (2 mi) round-trip trail. Five primitive walk-in campsites (approximately one km from the parking area) are available with pit toilets, but no wood or water.

Land access is via Brooks Road off Hwy. 101 16 km (10 mi) west of Sechelt. Follow the park signs for five km to the ample parking area.