Welcome to the Sunshine Coast, BC

Planning to visit the Sunshine Coast from the United States? We think you'll like it up here. 

Our stretch of coastal British Columbia can be found just northwest of Vancouver, making for a short trip from Seattle. It's easy to reach, but wonderfully hard to leave—and thanks to the exchange rate, your dollar goes much further here. That means over 30% more food, fun, and festivities here for you on the Sunshine Coast.

Accessible by car ferry, private boat, or plane, stepping foot on the Sunshine Coast feels like stepping into another world. One with fewer crowds, more trees, and plenty of moments to take a much-needed deep breath. It's the kind of place where forest trails lead to sweeping ocean views, where art crawls take over entire communities, and live music fills the air. There are quiet coves to paddle, cedar forests to hike through, and charming studios and cafes to enjoy. 

Accommodations range from rustic cabins hiding in the trees to boutique inns perched next to the ocean. Many are just steps from the beach, and all are designed for slowing down. Think casual, coastal, and very Canadian. 
 

Visiting Canada from the USA

The Sunshine Coast is accessible via car ferry, plane, and private boat. Visit our Getting Here & Getting Around page to learn more.

• Travelling by car? It's about a 3-hour drive from Seattle to the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal in West Vancouver. Visitors can cross the border at several spots, including the Peace Arch (Douglas) border crossing; be sure to leave yourself enough time to get across the border. Once you get to Horseshoe Bay, it's a 40-minute ride on a BC Ferries vessel to the Langdale ferry terminal (Gibsons) on the Sunshine Coast. 
   
• Travelling by air? Kenmore Air offers seasonal floatplane flights from Washington State to Sunshine Coast destinations such as Pender Harbour and Desolation Sound, and Harbour Air flies from Seattle (Lake Union) to downtown Vancouver, where you can then catch a flight to one of two Sunshine Coast communities, Sechelt or Powell River. Sunshine Coast Air also offers flights between downtown Vancouver and Sechelt.
  You can also fly into Vancouver International Airport and then catch a connecting flight (plane or seaplane) to Sechelt or Powell River. Operators include Harbour Air, Sunshine Coast Air, Fly Coastal Air Taxi, and Pacific Coastal Airlines.
   
• Looking for information about passports, visas, or other travel requirements for visiting Canada? Visit the Government of Canada website at travel.gc.ca for the latest information.
   
• Looking for travel updates within British Columbia? Destination BC’s “Know Before You Go” page features information on the latest travel restrictions and updates in BC.

Plan Your Sunshine Coast Trip

We'd love to see you. Browse through our Sunshine Coast trip planning resources to get started.

• View our 2025 Sunshine Coast Travel Guide for plenty of trip inspiration.
   
• Check out our Know Before You Go page before your trip to the Sunshine Coast for any important local updates.
   
• Stop by one of our Visitor Centres during your trip (or reach out with any questions ahead of your trip).
   
• Find exchange rate information via your bank or other reputable websites. As of May 1, 2025 the USD to CAD exchange rate sits at approximately $1 USD = $1.38 CAD.