Add this to your goals for the year ahead: a bucket list trip to the Sunshine Coast. We've broken down some once-in-a-lifetime experiences to enjoy on the coast, from paddling through the stunning waterways of Desolation Sound to an aerial flight over the snow-capped peaks of Tetrahedron Provincial Park.
Take an Epic Paddling Trip
Desolation Sound is the largest marine park in British Columbia, the inspiration for a best-selling memoir, and—for those who kayak its stunning waters—often hailed as a life-changing experience. Best enjoyed over five to seven leisurely days, you can drift into quiet and sheltered coves, swim in the warmest waters north of Mexico, watch for dolphins and whales, experience the magical beauty of bioluminescence, and snorkel amongst BC's rich and diverse marine life. With more than 6,350 acres of shoreline and water, there are endless harbours, inlets, bays, beaches, and views to explore—your best bet is to book with a local operator whose knowledgeable guides can help you navigate these waters and tailor the kayak trip of your dreams. Adding to your experience are remote basecamps with all the amenities. Book a trip with Terracentric Coastal Adventures, Powell River Sea Kayak, or Footprint Nature Explorations.
Sechelt Inlet is also worth exploring. The community of Sechelt sits on a narrow isthmus that separates the Sechelt Inlet from the Salish Sea. Halfmoon Sea Kayaks offers a Sechelt Peninsula Tour, while Talaysay Tours is offering a selection of brand new overnight trips that explore Sechelt Inlet and Salmon Inlet.
For freshwater fans, the Powell Forest Canoe Route offers an equally unforgettable adventure. This 57-kilometre circuit winds through a series of pristine lakes, connected by short portages and surrounded by forests of cedar, fir, and spruce. While shorter sections can be paddled in a day or two, completing the entire route allows you to fully embrace the rhythm of the journey and immerse yourself in BC's wilderness. From spotting elusive birds and swimming in sun-warmed lakes to stargazing from your campsite, every moment becomes part of the adventure. Rent canoes and other gear from Mitchell's Canoe, Kayak & SUP Sales and Rentals for a no-fuss way to experience this remarkable canoe route.
Learn more about paddling the Sunshine Coast.

Island Hop across the Sunshine Coast
Island hopping is a memorable way to explore the Sunshine Coast, thanks to the dozens of islands and islets peppered along the 180-kilometre shoreline. Wherever you start your trip—on the south coast with the islands of Gambier and Keats or on the north coast exploring the tropical-like Savary Island—you'll experience a way of life that's slow in pace and stunning in nature.
On the Southern Sunshine Coast, near Gibsons, you'll find two islands serviced by BC Ferries or by water taxi. The most populated island is Gambier while its next-door neighbour Keats hosts a handful of year-round residents. Both islands feature incredible beaches with excellent swimming, shoreline paddling, and the marine-accessible campgrounds of Plumper Cove and Halkett Bay, respectively. Don't miss the Gambier farmers' market "crawl" in the summer months, where residents set up stalls at the end of their driveways. Bring your bike and cruise the island, checking out vendor after vendor. Over on Keats, the Barnabas Landing General Store serves up cool treats (in July and August only)—a delicious way to cap off your island visit.
Farther up the coast are the sandy beaches of Thormanby Island. Accessible by water taxi from Secret Cove, this popular island destination draws day visitors to its soft shores and warm shallow waters where you can swim, sunbathe, or beachcomb. Secluded Nelson Island is the home of Out There, Off Leash, an off-grid resort. Spend your days lounging on the deck, swimming, and savouring fresh, delicious food—all while surrounded by the tranquility of Nelson Island’s rugged beauty. While it feels miles away, it's only a five-minute boat ride from Egmont.
The Northern Sunshine Coast is home to Texada Island, the largest of the Coast's islands and home to about 1,200 year-round residents. Texada is serviced by BC Ferries from Powell River, and is known to locals as "The Rock." There's plenty to see and do for outdoor enthusiasts—the island is famed for its low tides and wide beaches; bring a skim board, so some beachcombing, or build a sandcastle (don't miss the annual sandcastle competition). There are lakes for swimming, trails for hiking and biking, and a variety of accommodations ranging from campgrounds to the beautiful Rocky Valley Resort.
North of Texada is Savary Island, best known for its sprawling white-sand beaches that encircle the entire island (and which have earned it the nickname of "Hawaii of the North"). Situated off the coast of Lund and serviced by water taxi, this island is pedestrian- and bike-friendly only. You'll find accommodation on the island, including cottages and cabins and the Savary Island Resort. Pack your essentials and gear, bring a bike (or your walking poles), and explore the island end-to-end over a few days.
The Copeland Islands are located north of Lund, and are uninhabited. They're a popular destination for kayakers, with a handful of marine access-only provincial campsites to enjoy. Local operators offer full-day and multi-day tours around the islands.

Experience the Waterfalls of Princess Louisa Inlet
There's nowhere better for chasing waterfalls than Princess Louisa Inlet, a majestic fjord on the Sunshine Coast. The inlet's walls rise 2,100 metres above the water, which reaches depths of 300 metres. Here, some 60-odd waterfalls—created by the melting spring snowpack each year—cascade down massive granite cliffs. The star attraction of Princess Louisa Inlet is Chatterbox Falls, which tumble 120-feet down a sheer face, creating a thunderous roar where it meets the ocean below. Old-growth trees tower on either side of the waterfall, their branches outstretched, absorbing moisture from the waterfall's mist.
Even more impressive than Chatterbox is James Bruce Falls, the highest measured waterfall in North America at 2,755 feet, which feeds into Chatterbox Falls from above. Accessible only by boat or plane, Princess Louisa Inlet is best seen with experienced guides due to dangerous tidal conditions. Book a tour with Sunshine Coast Tours, Egmont Adventure Centre, or Metta Eco Experiences or fly above the area on an aerial tour with Sunshine Coast Air.
Find more waterfalls on the Sunshine Coast.

Hike the Sunshine Coast Trail
The Sunshine Coast Trail is a 180-kilometre hiking trail and Canada's longest hut-to-hut system. Stretching from Sarah Point in Desolation Sound to Saltery Bay, the trail winds along coastal shoreline, past creeks and mirror-like lakes, through sub-alpine meadows, and up to panoramic mountaintops overlooking the awe-inspiring wilderness that surrounds Powell River. It's rich with flora, fauna, and views, and completing the entire route is sure to earn you bragging rights among your friends and hiking enthusiasts.
But you don’t need to tackle the entire trail all at once. The Sunshine Coast Trail can be broken into smaller sections, making it perfect for those who prefer shorter trips or a less strenuous experience. With 16 public huts and nearby access points, there is flexibility to plan day hikes.
Two of 16 huts are managed by BC Parks and require a small user fee, while the remaining 14 are free and maintained by the qathet Parks and Wilderness Society (qPAWS). While there is no cost to hike the trail itself, donations are appreciated. They help support qPAWS and its dedicated volunteers who provide ongoing trail maintenance and upkeep, ensuring this incredible backcountry route remains accessible and welcome to all.
There huts are scattered along the route, and while each varies in style and location, they all offer basic amenities: places to sleep, eat, and rest. Like other multi-day adventures that challenge you in all the best ways, the Sunshine Coast Trail is the kind of trip where gruelling work leads to a euphoric sense of satisfaction and reward; and where the peace and solitude you find hiking is met with the friendly camaraderie and banter of fellow hikers (all tackling their own version of the route) at night in the huts.
The Sunshine Coast Trail is one of Canada's most breathtaking wilderness experiences, but it's also remote and self-guided: make sure you're well equipped with the gear, knowledge, and experience that you need to complete the trail.
Learn more about the Sunshine Coast Trail.

Enjoy a Flightseeing Tour
There's no better vantage point than from the air. An aerial tour with Sunshine Coast Air lets you see the sprawling expanse of the Sunshine Coast's mountain ranges. Their Glacier Lake Tour follows along Sechelt Inlet where you'll glide over lush forest, looking for mountain goats on rocky bluffs, then climb to the snow-capped peaks and turquoise glacier lakes of the Coast Mountain Range. As you fly over the Sunshine Coast's Tetrahedron Provincial Park, keep watch for its namesake peak—you might want to hike to its summit the next day via the Tetrahedron Peak Trail for a truly epic Sunshine Coast alpine adventure.
Flying over these impressive peaks is one thing, but immersing yourself in the history of the shíshálh peoples while you fly is another. Sunshine Coast Air's Land, Sea & Air Audio Tour is a one-of-a-kind tour that combines the beauty of an aerial flight with the oral stories and traditions of the shíshálh Nation. Through storytelling, songs, and drumming, you'll learn how these sacred mountains and waters have shaped and sustained the shíshálh people for generations.

Book a Remote Getaway
Deep in yɛkʷamɛn | Toba Inlet, surrounded by stunning blue waters, lies a place of ancient and energizing forces. The Klahoose First Nation owns and operates Klahoose Wilderness Resort, an all-inclusive, luxury, off-grid eco-resort in this pristine setting. Over the course of your stay, you'll be introduced to the cultural and natural significance of the area. Local Indigenous stewards guide visitors through their ancestral homelands, sharing the territory with grizzlies, eagles, and whales. From witnessing a traditional greeting when you first arrive (typically by boat from Lund) to learning the Klahoose names for the wildlife you see out your front door like qaykʷ (eagle), a stay here will leave you inspired, rested, and in awe of the people who have called this spectacular part of the Coast home since time immemorial. Take advantage of seasonal specials in spring or time your visit in the fall where you can watch grizzly bears hunting for fish.
Cabana Desolation Eco Resort is the only permanent accommodation base in Desolation Sound. As the homebase of Powell River Sea Kayak, this off-grid resort is where paddlers commune after a day of epic kayaking in one of Canada's most incredible marine parks. Inspired by the eco-lodges of Costa Rica, the resort takes shapes as a series of cabanas, all milled from local Western Red cedar and Douglas fir and linked by a wooden boardwalk. There are communal lounge areas where you can sip wine post-paddle and dig into just-caught fresh seafood for dinner. Not interested in sea kayaking? They also offer packages focused on rest and relaxation. Think: swimming in crystal-clear water, swaying gently in a hammock in the ocean breeze, slow mornings with a cup of coffee, and reading on a cozy sheepskin rug by a propane fire at night.
Learn more about multi-day vacation packages here.

Ride Granite Slabs
Mountain biking on the Sunshine Coast is already an unforgettable adventure. But add in heli-biking and the experience reaches new heights—literally. Thanks to Flow State Guiding, mountain bikers are treated to some of the best granite riding on the planet, including the world's longest slab mountain bike descents. From Powell River, you'll be shuttled via heli into the heart of the Coast Mountains where you can access 2000 meters of vertical relief over 2000 acres of terrain—a rocky playground that reveals glacial tarns, jaw-dropping mountain vistas, and some of the most exhilarating descents you've ever ridden. Basecamp is nestled in a stunning alpine cirque, surrounded by the same scenery you've just conquered on two wheels. After a day of serious riding, relax and unwind in the sauna, enjoy a refreshing hot shower, and refuel with a delicious meal.
Learn more about mountain biking on the Sunshine Coast.

Challenge Yourself: Seek Out Your Passions on the Sunshine Coast
The Sunshine Coast is home to plenty of superlatives: an epic 180-kilometre coastline, Canada's longest hut-to-hut hike, the warmest waters north of Mexico, and BC's only shuttle-accessed, gravity-fed bike park. Here, against a scenic backdrop and varied terrain, your hobbies can also become challenges to conquer.
For those looking to crush their Strava stats, try local marathons including Texada Island's Run the Rock, the Coaster Marathon, or the Marathon Shuffle which takes place along the Sunshine Coast Trail. Or simply hit up the trail networks—there are several on the Coast, each with their own unique rhythm and flow.
For art lovers, the Sunshine Coast Art Crawl is a must-experience event, showcasing hundreds of talented artists across dozens of venues over one vibrant, art-filled weekend in October. Challenge yourself to visit as many stops as possible. Or take a more leisurely approach and explore the Purple Banner Tour, a year-round self-guided tour of galleries and studios from one end of the coast to the other.
Craft beer enthusiasts will find their happy place with five breweries dotted along the Sunshine Coast, from Gibsons to Powell River. Gather your friends and embark on a multi-day craft beer adventure. Along the way, spend some time in the outdoors, savour local eats, and explore the unique communities that make this region special. And don’t miss out on the bonus stops—cideries and distilleries that add even more flavour to your journey.
Find more inspiration on our things to do and annual event pages.
