Sechelt accommodations

On the Sunshine Coast north of Vancouver, the village of Sechelt sits between the Sechelt Inlet and the Georgia Strait. Mountains surround this easygoing, artsy town, where most popular attractions center on the appreciation and enjoyment of this scenic natural area. You’ll find countless trails and pathways to explore, including Davis Bay Esplanade, a short oceanside walk where you can watch the crabbers or take in a sunset. Rolling hills covered with Canada’s oldest forests — filled with ancient, enormous hemlock and yellow cedar trees — frame the waters of the inlet and rocky beaches below where you can launch a kayak or canoe. At Porpoise Bay, you’ll find a sandy beach and calm waters for swimming.

During the winter season, snowshoeing and groomed cross-country ski trails are accessible at Tetrahedron Provincial Park and Dakota Ridge. Nature’s bounty is also a cause for celebration in Sechelt, and a thriving agricultural community will help you discover local farm-to-table restaurants, farmers markets, wineries, breweries, and cideries.

Sechelt has a long, cold rainy season that stretches from October to March. It’s best to bundle up and bring snow-resistant footwear if you’re visiting during this time, when the forests fill up with mist and fog stretches across the beaches. The late spring and summer are sunny and warm, making this the most popular time for outdoor enthusiasts to book Sechelt vacation rentals — but it’s still a good idea to bring layers for the cool evenings. Throughout October, the Sechelt Arts Festival brings artists and audiences from all over BC for an interactive festival highlighting local Indigenous communities. The event features gallery shows, dance performances, craft workshops, film screenings, lectures, and music. And in December, the community gets into the holiday spirit with the Festival of Lights, featuring a street parade, food, and a musical light show.

Cowrie Street

The town’s buzzing main street is lined with gelato shops, brunch-focused cafes, music stores, bakeries, and shops selling toys, gifts, and home goods. If you need to grab hiking gear and kayaks, you’ll find outdoor outfitters in town. You can easily traverse the street in an afternoon before wandering down to the pier with a coffee in hand.

Hiking Trails

About 16 minutes to the west of Sechelt, you’ll find Sargent Bay Provincial Park, where you can enjoy unspoiled views of the rocky coast and take the trails around Colvin Creek (where you can see a fish ladder) and Triangle Lake. The paths at Hidden Grove are wheelchair accessible and they wind through more than nine miles of old-growth forest (note that there are no restrooms or other facilities available here). For a gentle hike for all ages, you can take in Chapman Falls in about an hour round-trip.

Artisan and Farmers Markets

The Sunshine Coast is brimming with markets that celebrate local farmers, artists, and makers. The main Sechelt market with vendors selling honey, crafts, prepared foods, and hard cider is held on Cowrie Street each Sunday morning from April through September. Fall and winter markets are held inside from October through December. About 20 minutes to the southeast is Gibsons Public Market, where you can shop for small-batch cheeses and plastic-free products, eat at the Market Bistro, or take in the latest art exhibit.