It's no surprise that water activities are a major draw for Sunshine Coast visitors. The Sunshine Coast is bounded by the Strait of Georgia to the west and Howe Sound to the south. It has countless bays and inlets, as well as gorgeous lakes, rivers, creeks, and streams. With kayaking, canoeing, fishing, diving, boating, water taxiing, and more, there's virtually no end to the options.
Kayaking and Canoeing
In Gibsons, one easy option for kayakers or canoers is to launch in Gibsons Harbour, admiring the sailboats in the marina, and paddle in Shoal Channel, following the shoreline. Or take a tour around local islands like Keats Island and Gambier Island.
Directly north of Sechelt, go kayaking or canoeing on the tranquil expanse of Sechelt Inlet, as well as the adjoining Salmon Inlet and Narrows Inlet. Surrounded by the Coast Mountains, kayakers and canoers will find plenty of places to picnic or go swimming, including Halfway Beach, Piper Point, and Tzoonie Narrows. The Skookumchuck Narrows offer a dynamic challenge for experienced whitewater kayakers, located up Highway 101 near the village of Egmont.
In Gibsons, Sunshine Kayaking offers rentals, equipment sales, lessons, and guided tours on local waters. In Sechelt, rentals and lessons are available at Halfmoon Sea Kayaks. Roberts Creek and Pender Harbour also have rental services.
Fishing
Excellent fishing abounds in Davis Bay, directly south of nearby Sechelt. June through September is the prime season for catching Coho salmon. Charter a fishing boat or fish directly off the beach. The Chapman Creek hatchery, situated at Wilson Creek between Sechelt and Roberts Creek, has played a major role in keeping local fish stocks high.
Sechelt Inlet, north of Sechelt, burgeons with Coho salmon, Pink and Sockeye salmon (particularly August to September), and Chum salmon (particularly September to October).
One of the best freshwater fishing opportunities in the area is at Trout Lake, located near Halfmoon Bay, 10km/6mi north of Sechelt off Highway 101. Here, anglers enjoy fly fishing for surface-feeding trout.
Diving
For divers, the Sunshine Coast has abundant marine life to view, from giant octopi and anemones to dolphins and porpoises. The variety of dive sites impresses, too: dramatic walls and pinnacles offer adventure and natural beauty, and drift dives are also popular.
Suncoast Diving (5648 Teredo St.) in Sechelt offers diving training, dive charters, and diving gear rentals and sales. It's been in business for more than a decade and has been endorsed by National Geographic.
Boating
Sailboats, motorboats, and other vessels offer innumerable opportunities to explore the waters of the Sunshine Coast and admire local marine life and wildlife. Cruise out of Gibsons Harbour around Keats Island, Gambier Island, and Bowen Island. Head up the coast to the protected inlet of Pender Harbour. Or sail up to the spectacular waters of Desolation Sound and Jervis Inlet. There are close to 20 accessible marinas along the Sunshine Coast.
Water Taxis
Water taxis offer a great way to explore local harbours, commute to nearby Sunshine Coast communities, or even head down to Vancouver. Sunshine Coast Water Taxi, based in Gibsons, offers 24/7 service to downtown Vancouver, Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver, and the Gulf Islands.
Take a tour of Pender Harbour with Malaspina Water Taxi, watching for seals and dolphins, checking out sailboats and swanky shoreline cottages, and viewing sights as diverse as a prawn plant and a World War II US navy plane. The company also offers trips to Jedediah Island Marine Park, and does other boating packages too.
Windsurfing, water skiing, jet skiing, and parasailing are other popular water activities on the Sunshine Coast. For more information and suggestions on water activities contact the Gibsons Visitor Centre.