There are many activities for your enjoyment at Vance Cottage.
Enjoy swimming, bird watching, fishing, beach and local hikes, or just sit back on the dock with your favourite beverage and soak up a few rays and some plain old fashioned rest and relaxation.
Boating and Beaches
The Welcome Beach strip is touted as the "nicest Beach area on the Coast." How about soaking up the sun at the Coopers Green Marine park?. If you are a diver this area is brimming with life and the water is almost always crystal clear. If you like boating you can rent a boat at Lowes Resort or Buccaneer Bay. A mooring buoy is available for boats up to 20 feet in front of the cottage and you can launch your boat at the local boat ramp at Cooper Green which is just a 5 minute drive from the cabin.
A country store with liquor store is located 5 min away in Halfmoon Bay. If you drive into Sechelt, approximately 20 min south, you will find a full range of services and amenities.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES - Year Round
Hiking Trails
There are several hiking trails in the area ranging from a 15-minute stroll to a 1-hour hike. Explore the Caren Range, where a 10,000 year old growth forest is still present, or Skookumchuk Narrows with 3 meter (10 foot) tides and the largest salt water rapids next to the Bay of Fundy.
Mountain Biking
Stop in at www.ontheedgebiking.com in Sechelt and they can give you a full rundown on all the local trails and mountain biking in the area. They can even arrange a guided tour if you like on one of the many trails in the Halfmoon Bay area.
Scuba Diving
British Columbia has been rated by National Geographic and many famous divers, Jacques Cousteau being one of them, as the fourth best dive spot in the world. February 2003 issue of Rodale's Scuba Diving Magazine rates B.C. as the top overall dive destination in North America. Drop down and visit some of the largest species of octopus in the world, friendly wolf eels, sea lions, pods of orcas, white-sided dolphins and Stellar seals. Do you like to scuba dive on wrecks. The Sechelt inlet has one off the nicest wreck dives in British Columbia. It was an exciting day when this graceful ship was placed in deep water to begin her life as one of the largest diving wrecks on the Pacific Coast. The HMCS Chaudiere seen here is just a short boat ride from the head of the Sechelt inlet and must see for all avid divers. For all your diving requirements visit the local dive shop in Sechelt "Sunshine Coast Diving" or visit their web site at www.suncoastdiving.com
Sea Kayaking
HALFMOON SEA KAYAKS
5646 Mintie Halfmoon Bay
604-885-2948
Just 5 min away and behind The Halfmoon Bay General Store, Halfmoon Sea Kayaks offers guided tours, instruction and rentals. Shannon & Cameron Reid. You can see their web site here at www.halfmoonseakayaks.com
PEDALS & PADELS
For those that want to venture into the Inland sea area and its nine marine parks you can stop by Pedals and Paddles in Sechelt, BC. You can see their web site or call 604-885-6440.
PORPOISE BAY KAYAK which is located just next to the Lighthouse Pub
604-885-2995
Fishing and Boat Charters
There are a variety of saltwater and freshwater fishing spots available on the Coast. Tackle sales are provided at most marinas. For boat tours on the inland sea, A Place by the Sea Charters provides private charter trips for two on the Sechelt Inlet. How about a day trip into beautiful Princess Louisa with Sunshine Coast Tours? This day trip takes you into the beautiful Princess Louisa inlet and the world famous Chatterbox Falls.
Golf Course Information
Golf course information for the Sunshine Coast.
PENDER HARBOUR GOLF CLUB
13823 Highway101 - Madeira Park
604-883-9541
SUNSHINE COAST GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
3206 Highway 101 - Roberts Creek
604-885-9212
SECHELT GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
6177 Ripple Way Sechelt
604-687-4653 (Vancouver number)
Horseback Riding
MALASPINA RANCH STABLES, in Madeira Park offers guided tours call
call 604-883-1126 to reserve a time.
Air Tours
Take a scenic tour of Princess Louisa Inlet with:
MIDCOAST / TOFINO AIR
Tours to Princess Louisa and Sechelt inlet. View the web site here for schedule information and contact numbers depending on your area. Call Toll Free 1-888-436-7776 for reservations.
For more activities on the Sunshine Coast visit our local tourism portal - The Sunshine Coast!
