Sunshine Coast in a Weekend: The Perfect Itinerary for a 2–3 Day Trip in Shoulder Season

In Latest on the blog/Sunshine Coast8 min read

You probably have heard of the Sunshine Coast in Australia, but have you heard of the Sunshine Coast on the west coast of Canada? We hadn’t either, at least not until we moved to Vancouver.

The first time someone recommended it as a weekend getaway, we imagined golden sand, surf and sunshine. But the Canadian Sunshine Coast is nothing like the one in Australia. It’s a long stretch of rocky coastline backdropped by mossy rainforest, marshlands, lakes and the coastal mountain range. Yes, it does get its fair share of sunshine, especially in summer, but it also gets plenty of rain, just like the rest of BC’s coast.

We love visiting in shoulder season, even though it’s not quite warm enough to swim in the lakes yet. It means fewer crowds and a slower pace, perfect for a relaxing weekend away from the city.

In this guide, we’ll share how to spend an outdoorsy two or three days in the southern part of the Sunshine Coast. We’ve planned for one easy to moderate hike per day, to make the most of your time without feeling rushed.

Here’s what the weekend looks like:

• Day 1: Arrive, explore Gibsons Landing, hike Smuggler Cove
• Day 2: Hike Mount Daniel, recover at an outdoor spa, hit a local brewery, catch the sunset
• Day 3: Watch the rapids at Skookumchuck Narrows, coffee in a forest café, make your way home

Map of the Southern Sunshine Coast

Here’s a map of the area covering all the stops on this itinerary:

How to Get to the Southern Sunshine Coast

There are two ways to get to the southern Sunshine Coast. The more popular option is the BC Ferries route from Horseshoe Bay (West Vancouver) to Langdale (Gibsons). The other is by seaplane from Vancouver or Victoria directly into Sechelt.

The funny thing is, getting a ferry doesn’t mean you’re heading to an island. The Sunshine Coast is physically connected to the BC mainland, but there’s no road linking it to the rest of the province. And probably never will be.

Getting Around

There is public transit on the Sunshine Coast, but the routes are limited and won’t give you much flexibility. To do this itinerary, or really anything worth doing here, you’ll need a car. If you’re renting, your best options are in Vancouver before you board the ferry. If you’re a BC resident, Evo Car Share is always a decent option too.

Where to Stay on the Southern Sunshine Coast

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🏕️ Camping: If you’re looking to camp, we’d head straight for Porpoise Bay Provincial Park, just a five-minute drive from Sechelt. It has 84 sites set in a lovely forest, with water, showers and walking distance to the beach. It fills up fast even in shoulder season, so book as soon as reservations open (three months before your arrival date). That said, people cancel often and it’s worth checking again a week or less if you want to do an impromptu trip.

🛖 Middle ground: If you want something off-grid but a step up from a tent, check out The Stonewater. They have cabins and RV accommodations set in nature, plus an incredible, private on-site outdoor spa. It’s a great place to properly recharge.

🏨 Splurge: For something truly special, West Coast Wilderness Lodge sits right on the ocean in a stunning setting. It’s the furthest from the ferry terminal, but it’s close to several of the stops in this itinerary, which actually works out pretty well.

Day 1: Arrive, Explore Gibsons and Hike Smuggler Cove

Gibsons Landing

After getting off the ferry, head straight to Gibsons Landing, a small harbour town about 20 minutes from the terminal. If you’re in desperate need of coffee (we always are), grab one at Sea Monkey Coffee or Beachcomber. Then spend some time wandering around. Walk the pier, take in the views of Howe Sound and the mountains and keep an eye out for seals or otters hanging around the docks. There are a handful of cute boutique shops and art galleries worth poking your head into too.

Smuggler Cove

🏞 Hiking distance: 4.3 km (round trip)
⛰️ Elevation Gain: ~95 m
🥾 Pure Moving Time: ~1hr 10 mins (moderate pace)
🥵 Difficulty: Easy

Smuggler Cove is a great coastal hike to do on your first afternoon on the Sunshine Coast. It’s beautiful with little elevation and constantly changing as you walk. You start on a boardwalk through a natural marshland created by beavers, then hike through coastal rainforest and eventually come out at a stunning rocky cove overlooking the water. As nature lovers, we were in awe at how many things there were to see. Lots of birds, mushrooms, interesting plants and beautiful trees. If you enjoy these things too, you’ll be stopping every few minutes.

At the end of the trail you get gorgeous views of the ocean and it’s the kind of spot where you’ll want to sit for a while before heading back.

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Day 2: Hike Mount Daniel, Spa, Brewery and Sunset

Mount Daniel

When we plan our own trips, we like to do one big thing to start the day and then something chill for the rest of the day. On Day 2, the big thing is Mount Daniel.

🏞 Hiking distance: 6.4 km (round trip)
⛰️ Elevation Gain: ~385 m
🥾 Pure Moving Time: ~2hrs 10 mins (moderate pace)
🥵 Difficulty: Moderate (steep and rocky)

The hike is only 6.4 km return, but with 380 metres of elevation gain, it’s steep and will humble you pretty quickly. Take your time though and it’s totally doable even if you’re not super fit.

We really liked this hike even though there are no views until you get to the top. The trees are dripping in moss, the trail is lined with massive ferns and the canopy protects you from the sun, which helps a lot on steep terrain. The reward for the hard climb is the fantastic panoramic view over Pender Harbour.

One of the best parts about going in shoulder season? There’s a real chance you’ll have those views to yourself for a while.

Trail tips: It’s a rocky trail so wear the right shoes, bring plenty of water and consider hiking poles for the descent if your knees are anything like ours.

Moonshine Spa

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This is the part we didn’t know we needed. After a steep hike, booking a private session at Moonshine Spa was one of the best decisions we made all weekend.

The whole space is set outdoors and you have it entirely to yourself for 75 minutes. A DREAM! We’re talking chill vibes, a sauna, cold plunge, hot tub, a covered fire pit lounge and an outdoor shower, all surrounded by tall trees. It’s just so relaxing and your tired legs will thank you.

Brewery and Sunset

No trip to the Sunshine Coast is complete without stopping at a local brewery. There are quite a few to choose from, many with outdoor seating. We’d recommend ordering a flight of beer so you can try a few different styles and flavours. We enjoyed Brickers Cider, Persephone Brewing and Tapworks.

For sunset, there are so many good spots. If you’re near Roberts Creek, the pier is a classic. If you’re staying at Porpoise Bay, the beach is right there (there’s also a public beach with parking nearby). Davis Bay and Bonniebrook Beach are also fantastic. There will inevitably be other people in all these places and rightfully so, as sunsets on the Sunshine Coast are really beautiful.

Day 3: Skookumchuck Narrows, Forest Café and the Ferry Home

Coffee in the Forest

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Skookumchuck Bakery & Café sits right at the trailhead for Skookumchuck Narrows and is a great place to fuel up before the hike. It’s not every day you get to drink your coffee in the middle of the forest. The coffee is decent and if they have cinnamon buns when you visit, get one. They get a lot of love on Google Reviews and after trying them, we completely understand why.

Skookumchuck Narrows

We saved the most unique thing for last. Skookumchuck Narrows is a narrow ocean channel where powerful currents reverse direction every few hours, creating large whirlpools and some of the fastest rapids in the world. There are two viewpoints: North Point, where you can watch the currents create whirlpools at peak tides, and Roland Point, where you can see the standing wave during low tides. If you’re lucky, you might even see experienced surfers or kayakers taking it on for the thrill.

You can experience the power of the rapids on a boat tour:

Or you can hike to get there. The hike through the forest is beautiful and because you’re visiting in shoulder season, it won’t feel overcrowded. That unfortunately can’t be said for the busy summer months.

🏞 Hiking distance: 8.2 km (round trip)
⛰️ Elevation Gain: ~197 m (including the hike to Roland Point)
🥾 Pure Moving Time: ~2hrs 10 mins (moderate pace)
🥵 Difficulty: Easy (well maintained, wide trail)

Important: Check the tide times before you go. You want to be there roughly 30 minutes before to 30 minutes after the tidal peak, which gives you about a one-hour window to see the action. You can find tide times on the Sunshine Coast tourism website.

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Refuel and Head Back

Since Skookumchuck is the furthest point from the ferry terminal, make sure to leave yourself enough time to get back.

Right at the trailhead, Sunshine Coast Shellfish is worth a stop if you’re hungry. The owners are lovely and everything is sustainably sourced and made with care. Or, if you’d rather head back toward town first, both Sechelt and Gibsons have good options for a meal, plus a bit more time to browse the shops before catching your ferry home.

Places worth a stop to eat: Basted Baker, Lunita’s Mexican Eatery, Joe’s on the Beach

Places to shop: Local Tourist, Starlet Vintage, Good Fridays, Fort

Final Tips for Your Sunshine Coast Weekend

Here are some final tips before you go:

• If you want to camp at Porpoise Bay, book three months in advance. It’s a popular campground and it fills up fast. Two nights will cost you around $70 and you can cancel more than seven days prior for a full refund of camping fees (minus the $6 transaction fee).
• Check the best viewing times at Skookumchuck Narrows before your trip so you don’t miss the main event. Depending on when the tidal peak falls, you may need to swap a few things around in this itinerary to make the timing work.

Other than that, just go with the flow. If you spend too long soaking in the views on a hike and run out of time for something else, leave it for next time. The Sunshine Coast is so close to Vancouver that you’ll almost certainly want to come back after you get a taste of it.

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Are you planning to visit the Sunshine Coast soon? What hikes or activities are on your list?