|
Sechelt
Sechelt is located 23 km (14 miles) north of Gibsons
and 51 km (32 miles) south of Egmont on
Hwy 101 on BC's Sunshine Coast.
Hwy
101
Sechelt has had quite a colourful history along the Sunshine Coast.
Past descendants relied on the marine industry to help loggers or
the tourist trade coming from Vancouver along this section of the
BC coastline. Only since 1952 when Hwy 101 was completed did vehicles
have access from Vancouver using the BC Ferries into Langdale.
Sechelt
Peninsula
Sechelt is located about halfway up the Sunshine Coast at the southern
end of the Sechelt Peninsula. Sechelt is at point that forms a bridge
created by a sand isthmus separating the Strait of Georgia from
the Sechelt Inlet. The word 'Sechelt' comes from the local First
Nation meaning 'land between two waters.'
Close
to the Ocean Water
What you'll find has been created for Sechelt by this natural bridge
is a community where you can be so close to water and all the recreational
choices that go along with it. Kayaking, ocean fishing, hiking,
water sports, scuba diving and cruising - it's all really close
at hand.
Waterfront
Parks
The District of Sechelt has made the community very accessible to
the ocean with the tremendous amount of parks along the water. The
district has also produced a very informative brochure on the local
parks so make sure you look at it to find areas for sun bathing,
swimming and beach combing.
District
Parks
Some district parks that always seem to come to mind for some great
exploring that you might consider having a look at are the sunsets
at Selma Park, the beach and creek at Sandy Hook, the trails at
Kinnikinnick Park and the walkway and wharf at Davis Bay and the
bird watching at Sechelt Marsh near Porpoise Bay.
Porpoise
Bay Provincial Park
Located only 4 km (2.5 miles) north of Sechelt just off Hwy 101,
this provincial park is well suited if you enjoy relaxing near the
ocean. For the family, the park has a nice sandy beach really great
for outdoor fun, swimming, kayaking and canoeing opportunities.
Porpoise Bay also has a campground with 84 sites plus a small cyclist-only
area.
Trail
Bay
The business district of Sechelt is centred around a shopping zone
called the Trail Bay Centre which is located just off Hwy 101. Then,
circulating out from town, are newly built condominiums extending
out to the waterfront. Next to the ocean is Trail Bay Waterfront/Boulevard
Park which has a walkway meandering next to a local beach with benches
along Trail Bay.
Trail
Islands
Located off the coast of Sechelt across Trail Bay are the Trail
Islands. If you enjoy ocean kayaking, the trip over to these islands
can be a lot of fun. There is usually lots of natural wildlife and
things happening along the waters' edge include getting the odd
view of a cruise ship going to Alaska.
Sargeant
Bay
There is some scuba diving on the west side of Trail Islands but
you can also find an area for diving and anchorage at Sargeant Bay,
a five-minute drive north from Sechelt on Hwy 101. Located near
Sargeant Bay, there is also a hiking trail to Triangle Lake, Sargeant
Bay Provincial Park, mountain biking through Connor and Welcome
Beach Parks. Halfmoon Bay another
popular spot is just north of here on Redrooffs Road.
Exploring
by Boat
If you love cruising and boating, Sechelt is the community for you.
You can explore Simson and Buccaneer Bay Marine Parks on South Thormanby
Island, Halfmoon Bay, Secret Cove, Pender
Harbour, Egmont, Princess Louisa Inlet, Schokumchuck Narrows,
Powell River, Lund
and around Desolation Sound. You would be literally able to plan
a thousand different trips and still discover new places.
Sunshine
Coast Wooden Boat Festival
If you're a fan of everything to do with the ocean including boating
and exploring BC's coastline, try to make the Sunshine Coast Wooden
Boat Festival. Old wooden classic vessels from BC's past are proudly
on display at various dock locations on the Sunshine Coast and is
held during the BC Day August long weekend.
House
of Hewhiwus
The House of Hewhiwus (Chiefs) operates as the administrative centre
for the Shishalh (Sechelt) First Nation people. Located at 5555
Hwy 101 on the eastern edge of Sechelt, the centre contains historical
artifacts and traditions representing the Sechelt Band such as carvings,
canoes, baskets and old photos plus the Raven's Cry Theatre.
The
Sechelt Indian Band
The local First Nation, the Sechelt Indian Band, has been very proactive
with the Canadian government for self-government control over traditional
lands. The Sechelt Band made Canadian history when they were the
first to be granted self-government and the authority to manage
their own lands under the provisions of the Indian Act.
Driving
Force for Economic Development
The Sechelt Indian Band is very evident in Sechelt's local economy
and is very important as a driving force for sustainable economic
growth along the Sunshine Coast. New developments such as Extra
Foods and Starbucks
are being designed and built for the future population living in
Sechelt and on the Sunshine Coast.
Sunshine
Coast Forest District
The Sunshine Coast Forest District, encompassing 1,555,088 hectares
(3,842,569 acres), is located all around the Sechelt area. There
are quite a few areas for you to explore especially on the back
hills with the excellent western views of the distant coastline
and Vancouver Island.
Pender
Harbour
If you happen to be in Sechelt, another area that is close by and
worth visiting, is Pender Harbour. Comprised of four small villages
called Irvines Landing, Garden Bay, Kleindale and Madeira Park being
the closest at 31 km (19 miles) away, you will surely be inspired
by the coastal beauty.
Malaspina
Peninsula
Depending on your time, other areas also close by to Pender Harbour
and worth visiting include travelling north to Egmont, visiting
and then catching the BC Ferries from Earls Cove to Saltery Bay.
From here, there is a whole other coastline along the Malaspina
Peninsula to explore, including the communities of Powell River,
Lund plus Savary Island and Texada
Island.
Information
on Sechelt
Accommodation
|
