Ferries, Whales and Sunset or how to explore the Sunshine Coast

September 14, 2019

After finishing off at camp, we decided to get off the island with style. We boarded the ferry from Comox (Little River) to Powell River. While the boat was snaking around the countless small islands, we had entertainment by a couple of humpback whales showing their presence. We finally got to see whales. We were so excited.

Arriving at Powell River late in the afternoon, we decided to go to a small campground just next to the ferry port for one night. The following day we followed the Sunshine Coast north to Lund where the highway ended. Lund is a pretty small touristy town great for a photo op and to start your drive down the Sunshine Coast. As we headed south, we ended up at Saltery Bay Provincial Park, where we checked in for two nights.

The Mermaid Cove legend

“Mermaid: A sea woman who chooses Imagination over Fear”

~ Unknown

This park is located in the old-growth rainforest next to Mermaid Cove a magical little spot at the ocean. It felt like a pirate cove and the sunset at an Indian summer night are spectacular. At a distance, you could hear whales blowing and every so often you could see their bodies at the horizon. The park ranger Peter, a very friendly Scottsman, who kindly told us the story about the sunken Mermaid, a stone statue in the ocean and how divers try to find her. He shared some fresh fish, Steelhead with us, and we had a fantastic couple of meals.

Peter, we are looking forward to reading about your adventures in your upcoming book.

One more Ferry to go

The sea is the same as it has been since before men ever went on it in boats.

Ernest Hemingway

The next day we boarded another ferry to Earls Cove. Again the ship snaked around countless small islands, and more whales showed there presence. One even breached out of the water to the amazement of all the ferry passenger and crew.
As we debarked of the ferry, we continued our way down Sunshine Coast down to Sechelt and Gibsons. We ended up having a tourist day at Gibsons. Unfortunately, Molly`s Reach Restaurant famous from the seventies tv show The Beach Comber closed Mondays. So we ended up eating at the harbour at a small food stand and enjoyed the hassle and bustle of port life. The next day we took our last ferry to Horse Shoe bay in Vancouver which sends us back into the city and traffic.
If you ever in that area make this trip.

Our 26Ft motorhome cost us from Comox to Horseshoe bay
little more then $200.00, but the scenery was priceless.