Smuggler’s Cove has a history of smuggling illegal Chinese laborers into the United States. Although the Captain of the ship was paid $100.00 for each ‘head’, he told the immigrants that if they made a sound, they would be thrown overboard.
Arriving at the cove, it is easy to understand how it got its name. Within the cove are many small islands, making it an ideal place for a ship to hide while it waits to pick up its illegal cargo.
Despite this rather lurid story, Smuggler’s Cove goes beyond any description of beautiful; on a sunny day it is breathtaking. It is a Marine Park with easy walking trails including a 3.5 km round trip trail through lush forest. Following the trail, you will arrive at Welcome Pass where you’ll enjoy the views of Thormanby and Texada Islands.
Sargeant’s Bay Provincial Park is another enjoyable place to visit. Being a collector of driftwood, I thought I had arrived at my little spot in ‘driftwood heaven’.
Davis Bay was equally interesting with its beautiful sandy beaches. Also the shore side community had unique shops and excellent fish and chips.
The Pender Harbour area had us writing down the names of real estate agents. Pender Harbour was once the winter capital of the Coast Salish Nation and the Shishalh First Nations people. Pender Harbour, from the early 1900’s, has been a popular vacation spot because of its beauty and seclusion. We found ourselves quickly falling under its charm.
Sechelt sits on a spit of land between Georgia Strait and Sechelt Inlet and is considered the Sunshine Coast’s cultural capital. The town is home to artists and writers with many galleries, theatres and one-of-a-kind stores and restaurants. The Sechelt First Nation’s Tems Awiya Museum chronicles the heritage of the Shishalh Nations people.
Gibsons is the home of Molly’s Reach, a set built for the old Beachcombers series in 1962. It is now a popular seafood restaurant. A point of interest is the historic Bonnybrook and Chaster Park area featuring a cairn noting the 1792 arrival of Captain George Vancouver.
Because of the beauty of the many bays, it is easy to understand why kayaking is such a popular sport in this area. The Sunshine Coast has unlimited shorelines with bays, inlets and offshore islands for the sea kayaker. Paddling the inlet, you will feel enveloped by nature as the coastal mountains surround you. Sechelt Inlet, known as the Inland Sea is protected and is excellent for the beginning paddler. For a real heart-pumping adventure, there is the Skookumschuck Narrows; only advised for the truly experienced.
British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast is beautiful at any time of the year but a visit to its shores in the summer is truly spectacular.
