Gibsons, known as the "Gateway to the Sunshine Coast," is where most visitors from Vancouver travelling to the area initially arrive. Although Gibsons is the famed home of The Beachcombers TV series, it burgeons with many other things to do and explore. With a picturesque harbour setting and thriving local arts scene, the 1886-founded town offers everything from kayaking and diving to museums and art galleries. Hiking through local parks, visiting farmers markets, going fishing, or enjoying festivals and events are other popular options. The vibe is laidback and friendly.
To top it all off, Gibsons is highly accessible: it's just a 40-minute ferry ride from West Vancouver and a 5km/3mi drive from the Langdale ferry terminal. Sechelt and Pender Harbour are minutes away.
Water Activities
Fish right off the dock at Gibsons Landing. Grab a rod and charter a fishing boat out on Sechelt's Davis Bay or up near Pender Harbour, angling for salmon (coho, chinook, pink) during the summer and fall. Head to Trout Lake, Sakinaw Lake, or Ruby Lake in search of surface-feeding trout and other freshwater fish.
Kayak and canoe rentals are available from numerous outfitters, as well as B&Bs and resorts along the Sunshine Coast. Near Halfmoon Bay, paddle the sheltered waters of Smuggler's Cove. Or head up to Skookumchuck Narrows near Egmont to test North America's fastest-moving saltwater rapids surrounded by experienced kayakers. Other relaxing expeditions include Sechelt Inlet and the various islands near Gibsons Harbour.
The Sunshine Coast offers some of the world's best year-round cold-water diving, according to legendary diver Jacques Cousteau. Explore artificial reefs like the sunken naval ship HMCS Chaudière or natural walls and pinnacles at other dive sites in Sechelt Inlet, from Tzoonie Narrows to Tuwanek Point. Marine life is abundant.
Land Activities
Hiking is a great way to discover the Sunshine Coast's regional and provincial parks. Get the heart pumping with a 40-minute climb up Soames Hill overlooking Gibsons, or stroll amid waterfalls and bubbling creeks at Cliff Gilker Park in Roberts Creek. Pender Hill Park, north of Pender Harbour, has a magnificent ecosystem full of wildflowers, arbutus trees, and shrubs.
Mountain biking buffs have a plethora of trails, loops, and parks to ride. Sprockids Mountain Bike Park offers 14km/9mi of trails near Gibsons, while Clack Creek and the Brodie Race Trails are highlights near Roberts Creek. The Suncoaster Trail provides 33km/20mi of excitement between Halfmoon Bay and Klein Lake. Golfers can tee off at the public 18-hole courses at the Sunshine Golf and Country Club in nearby Roberts Creek and the Sechelt Golf and Country Club.
While many travelers like to experience the Sunshine Coast during the summer, there are things to do here in the winter too. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing bring crowds to the emerging Dakota Ridge Winter Recreation Area, which receives 300cm/118in of snow.
Festivals and Events
Festival lovers will find much to appreciate on the Sunshine Coast. Each year, Gibsons has the Gibsons Landing Fibre Arts Festival, the Gibsons Landing Jazz Festival, and the Howe Sound Outrigger Canoe Races. Sechelt hosts the Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts, the Hackett Park Craft Fair, and the Festival of the Rolling Arts. Both communities have thriving farmers markets with fresh fruit and veggies and local artwork.
Art and History
Artists and art galleries are big in this quirky, funky region. Check out the works of local artists at the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre in Sechelt or the Gibsons Public Art Gallery, and stock up on paintings, pottery, and photography at private studios. Artworks Tours, based in Gibsons, offers customized tours, and the annual Purple Banner Studio & Gallery Guide helps visitors locate artists independently.
To learn about the Sunshine Coast's rich history, check out the Sunshine Coast Museum in Gibsons with two floors of exhibits on logging, fishing, The Beachcombers, and more. The House of Chiefs in Sechelt celebrates Aboriginal culture through various displays and live performances.
Driving Routes
Enjoy kayaking, hiking, fishing, and visiting farmers markets, museums, and art galleries at Gibsons along the Coast Circle Route. Find out more about driving routes through Gibsons here: Driving Routes.
For more information on things to do in Gibsons stop by the Visitor Centre (417 Marine Dr.).
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