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As befits a town on the Sunshine Coast, Gibsons is a casual, arts- and outdoors-focused community. Spectacular provincial and marine parks are easily accessible from the town, providing ample opportunities for walking, hiking, mountain biking, swimming, camping, kayaking, sailing and of course, fishing. Gibsons itself boasts many arts-focused festivals and events throughout the year, several centred in the revitalized waterfront area of Gibsons Landing.
Gibsons is an extraordinarily charming and picturesque community set against a backdrop of breathtaking, wild beauty. No visit is complete without a tour of Gibsons Landing, the town's vibrant waterfront district, with its magnificent views of the harbour and heritage homes. The challenging, 40-minute climb up Soames Hill, just outside of town, is worth it for the bird's eye view of Gibsons and its surrounding area. One of the most legendary hikes on the Sunshine Coast is found in Skookumchuck Narrows Provincial Park, a 1.5-hour drive northwest from Gibsons. The easy 4-km (2.5-mi) route brings visitors to a viewpoint overlooking the turbulent waters in the channel between Sechelt and Jervis Inlets. In Cliff Gilker Park, over in nearby Roberts Creek, well-marked trails loop through lush rainforest. Golf enthusiasts can tee off from the Sunshine Coast Golf & Country Club, just a 15-minute drive west from Gibsons. Majestic Douglas-fir trees line the fairways of this mature course, which features inspiring mountain and ocean vistas.
The Sunshine Coast has more artists, crafters and artisans per capita than almost any other area in Canada. To view their works, just look for a Purple Banner: local artists of all kinds fly one outside their studios to indicate that the public is welcome to browse. Visitors can also take guided tours of galleries and studios, where it is possible to watch painters, potters, sculptors, woodworkers, fibre artists and First Nations artists at work. The Gibsons Landing Fibre Arts Festival, held annually in August, features workshops on and exhibits of such fibre arts as fabric dyeing, quilting, paper arts, spinning, weaving, needle arts and woodworking.
A must-see in town is Gibsons Landing, the revitalized waterfront area. This is also a wonderful shopping district and the site of many local events. Be sure to stroll the docks of bustling Gibsons Harbour as well, taking in the picturesque views of boats, fishers, kayakers and seals. The paths of Winegarden Waterfront Park lead visitors through woods as well as by ponds and streams, all while offering breathtaking views of the harbour, Keats and Gambier Islands, Howe Sound and the North Shore Mountains. Another popular attraction is Molly's Reach Restaurant, where the internationally televised series The Beachcombers was filmed for nearly two decades. Don't miss the fascinating Howe Sound Pulp & Paper Mill, one of North America's most modern pulp and paper operations. There are scheduled tours through July and August. Those interested in history will also want to explore the Sunshine Coast Museum & Archives.
Gibsons hosts a number of events throughout the year, including the Gibsons Landing Jazz Festival in June and the International Howe Sound Outrigger Race in July. The Heritage Playhouse, a restored theatre, has become the central gathering place for many, varied cultural activities. It is the home of the Driftwood Players as well as the Sunshine Coast Film Society. The two main shopping areas can be found in Gibsons Landing and Upper Gibsons.
Numerous welcoming parks are found on the Sunshine Coast. Three close to Gibsons are: Cliff Gilker Park, which features delightful wooden bridges spanning creeks and waterfalls; Soames Hill Park, with its strenuous hike to the top revealing breathtaking views of Gibsons and the surrounding area; and for the more adventurous, Tetrahedron Provincial Park, with its challenging hikes past lakes, wetlands and up to mountain peaks.
A unique way to view wildlife is from a kayak or boat tour. You'll see bald eagles, seals, sea lions, otters and even the occasional Orca. Birders who like to paddle will certainly be rewarded with sightings of harlequin ducks, grebes, mergansers and great blue herons.
For a memorable day outing, take a foot passenger ferry from Langdale or water taxi from Gibsons Landing to Gambier or Keats Islands.
It's easy to relax in Gibsons. Just head to one of the area's many parks. There are also numerous access points around town to a variety of beaches. Don't forget to stroll along Gibsons Landing -a recently revitalized and now charming area of Gibsons waterfront- or the docks of Gibsons Harbour, where visitors can drink in the sights of boats, fishers, kayakers and marine life.
The waters around Gibsons are a kayaker's and sailor's dream. Miles of protected waterways feature clusters of islands, numerous channels and sheltered inlets - all against a backdrop of majestic mountains. This creates the ideal paddling environment for both beginner and experienced kayakers and those sailing boats. As for fishing, the Strait of Georgia is teeming with salmon during the season. Gibsons also has many accessible beaches and marine parks scattered throughout the vicinity.
Gibsons is handy to 6,000-ha (14,826-ac) Tetrahedron Provincial Park, a wilderness park with ideal conditions for backcountry skiing. The Tetrahedron Outdoor Club maintains four backcountry cabins and a network of trails in the park. Recreational opportunities are limited to hiking and cross-country skiing. A four-wheel drive is needed to access the park.
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