Itinerary
- Day 1
Vancouver
You'll arrive at Vancouver International Airport and pick up your rental car for the drive to downtown Vancouver, which takes around 30 minutes. Once you check into your hotel, you can settle in and get oriented before the trip officially kicks off.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Vancouver International Airport - Day 2
Vancouver to Gibsons
This morning you'll drive to Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal (about 20 minutes), then board a 45-minute ferry to Gibsons. After you arrive, there's free time to walk around town and get a feel for the place before checking into your accommodation. You can choose between guided walks of varying lengths around Gibsons, Sechelt, and Roberts Creek, or if you're up for something more challenging, tackle Mount Elphinstone Summit Trail for views across the Sunshine Coast.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Walks in Gibsons (2.7km/2km)
- Walks in Sechelt (8km/3km)
- Walks in Roberts Creek (10.3km)
- Mount Elphinstone Summit Trail (12.6km) - includes views to Vancouver, Gibsons, Bowen Island, and Howe Sound
Landmarks/POIs Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal Mount Elphinstone Summit Howe Sound - Day 3
Gibsons
You'll spend the morning on a half-day sea kayaking tour around Halfmoon Bay or Sechelt Inlet, with routes adjusted to match your skill level. After lunch, head into the towns of Sechelt and Gibsons to walk around and check out shops, art galleries, restaurants, and cafes along the waterfront. If you prefer land-based activities, several guided walks at different difficulty levels are available instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Half-day guided sea kayaking tour - Halfmoon Bay or Sechelt Inlet
Optional Activities
- Walks in Gibsons (2.7km/2km)
- Walks in Sechelt (8km/3km)
- Walks in Roberts Creek (10.3km)
- Explore shops, art galleries, restaurants, and cafes in Sechelt and Gibsons
Landmarks/POIs Halfmoon Bay Sechelt Inlet - Day 4
Gibsons to Madeira Park
You'll drive from Gibsons to Madeira Park for your next accommodation. The area offers multiple walks to choose from, ranging in difficulty. You can visit Smugglers Cove, walk a loop around a forest lake, or explore Garden Bay Marine Provincial Park, which protects an archaeological site. If water appeals to you, your accommodation has stand-up paddleboards available to rent.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Walks in Madeira Park (1.8km/2.5km/4.4km)
- Walks in Halfmoon Bay (4.2km/7.6km)
- Visit Smugglers Cove
- Loop around forest lake
- Visit Garden Bay Marine Provincial Park with protected archaeological site
- Stand-up paddleboard rental from accommodation
Landmarks/POIs Smugglers Cove Garden Bay Marine Provincial Park - Day 5
Madeira Park
Start your day with either a scenic beach walk to a small lighthouse surrounded by arbutus trees, or a forested walk leading to a rocky outcrop with views of tidal waters. Later, head to Skookumchuk Narrows to see the unique rapids and whirlpools that draw extreme kayakers and surfers. In the evening, join a 3-hour guided sea kayaking tour from Egmont through Sechelt Inlet, where you might see bioluminescent displays if conditions are right.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Evening 3-hour guided sea kayaking tour from Egmont - bioluminescent experience
Optional Activities
- Scenic beach walk to lighthouse with arbutus tree grove
- Forested walk to rocky outcrop with views of tidal waters
- Visit Skookumchuk Narrows
- Walks in Madeira Park (1.8km/2.5km/4.4km)
- Walks in Egmont (7.5km)
Landmarks/POIs Skookumchuk Narrows Sechelt Inlet - Day 6
Madeira Park to Powell River
You'll take a 1-hour ferry from Earls Cove to Saltery Bay, then drive about 30 minutes to Powell River. Once there, you can walk along the Sunshine Coast Trail, which follows the riverbed and Appleton Creek through to an old hut and lake surrounded by waterfalls and nice bridges.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Walk along Sunshine Coast Trail - follows riverbed and Appleton Creek to iconic hut and lake with waterfalls and bridges (7km)
Landmarks/POIs Sunshine Coast Trail Appleton Creek - Day 7
Powell River
Powell River and Lund have several walks at different difficulty levels to pick from. You might choose a gentle forest trail with swimming spots, or climb Tin Hat Mountain for a 360-degree lookout at the midpoint of the Sunshine Coast long-distance trail. In Lund, explore the vibrant forest with views of Okeover Inlet, venture into the mossy rainforest near Wednesday Lake in Malaspina Provincial Park, or follow the coastal bluffs along Hurtado Bay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Walks in Powell River (14.5km/18.3km)
- Walks in Lund (4.5km/8.7km/10.4km)
- Tin Hat Mountain - walk to iconic viewpoint and hut with 360° mountain-top lookout
- Malaspina Provincial Park walk - mossy rainforest trail near Wednesday Lake
- Hurtado Bay coastal bluffs walk
Landmarks/POIs Tin Hat Hut Okeover Inlet Malaspina Provincial Park Wednesday Lake Hurtado Bay Salish Sea - Day 8
Desolation Sound
You'll spend the full day on a guided sea kayaking tour from Okeover Inlet to Desolation Sound, one of British Columbia's largest marine parks and popular for paddlers. The 7-hour tour includes lunch, though you can opt for a shorter 3-hour or 5-hour version if you'd rather not paddle all the way to Desolation Sound.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Full day guided sea kayaking tour - Okeover Inlet to Desolation Sound (7 hours, includes lunch)
Optional Activities
- 3-hour guided sea kayaking tour (optional shorter alternative)
- 5-hour guided sea kayaking tour (optional shorter alternative, does not include Desolation Sound)
Landmarks/POIs Okeover Inlet Desolation Sound - Day 9
Powell River to Vancouver
You'll take two ferries and drive back to Vancouver International Airport to return your rental car and head home. If you want more time on the Sunshine Coast, there are optional extensions available to add to your trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Optional extensions available (contact operator for details)
Landmarks/POIs Vancouver International Airport
