Guidebook for Garden Bay
Food Scene
Our favourite. Fresh, inventive, delicious food. Order take out and walk the open beach at Davis Bay. Or eat on the patio for an awesome coastal vibe between the ferry and Garden Bay. Gourmet mac and cheese, big burgers and a healthy buddha bowl. Extra yum here.
101 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Wobbly Canoe
4774 Sunshine Coast HwyOur favourite. Fresh, inventive, delicious food. Order take out and walk the open beach at Davis Bay. Or eat on the patio for an awesome coastal vibe between the ferry and Garden Bay. Gourmet mac and cheese, big burgers and a healthy buddha bowl. Extra yum here.
Special occasion higher end dining, about a 40 minute drive north (on windy roads, so drive sober and best in daylight).
Inlets Restaurant
6649 Maple RoadSpecial occasion higher end dining, about a 40 minute drive north (on windy roads, so drive sober and best in daylight).
Decent menu with rotating chefs, check hours of operation before you set out.
15 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Lagoon Restaurant at Painted Boat Resort, Spa & Marina
12849 Lagoon RdDecent menu with rotating chefs, check hours of operation before you set out.
New cafe with sunset views. Liquor license, ice cream, general supplies and some gifts. Good Halfmoon Bay Chocolate gourmet bars.
29 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
John Henry's Resort & Marina
4907 Pool RdNew cafe with sunset views. Liquor license, ice cream, general supplies and some gifts. Good Halfmoon Bay Chocolate gourmet bars.
Classic Beachcomber history. Views, good food, easy going. Great for right before or after the ferry and nice to explore the nearby shops too.
80 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Molly's Reach Restaurant
647 School RdClassic Beachcomber history. Views, good food, easy going. Great for right before or after the ferry and nice to explore the nearby shops too.
Hidden at the back of a strip mall in Wilsons Creek, on the ferry terminal side of Canadian Tire.
BEST Coffee on the Sunshine Coast, if not BC. Buy beans to take home. Beautiful bakery items and lunches, with photographic French Toast on weekends. At the back of the plaza, buy beans, worth a stop (but don't miss your ferry!)
23 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Strait Coffee
4330 Sunshine Coast HwyHidden at the back of a strip mall in Wilsons Creek, on the ferry terminal side of Canadian Tire.
BEST Coffee on the Sunshine Coast, if not BC. Buy beans to take home. Beautiful bakery items and lunches, with photographic French Toast on weekends. At the back of the plaza, buy beans, worth a stop (but don't miss your ferry!)
Excellent coffee. Skip the ferry coffee and get the good stuff here. Iconic ‘Sunshine Coast’ yellow metal tin souvenir cups in our home come from here.
44 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Beachcomber Coffee Company
264 Gower Point RdExcellent coffee. Skip the ferry coffee and get the good stuff here. Iconic ‘Sunshine Coast’ yellow metal tin souvenir cups in our home come from here.
In Horseshoe Bay. If you line up for your ferry in time, send someone for croissants, shortbread or sourdough for your trip. Just across from the ferry terminal. Tasteful gifts too.
Flour Bakery
6363 Bruce StIn Horseshoe Bay. If you line up for your ferry in time, send someone for croissants, shortbread or sourdough for your trip. Just across from the ferry terminal. Tasteful gifts too.
Great milkshakes and creative burgers on the Main Street of Sechelt
15 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
PKLS Burgers
5666 Cowrie StGreat milkshakes and creative burgers on the Main Street of Sechelt
Pender Clubhouse and Sports Bar (at Pender Harbour Golf Club)
Essentials
Best place for enjoying ice cream while overlooking the sunset. Closest $ groceries for what you forgot (main Grocery Store is in Madeira Park 15 minutes farther), liquor store, new small cafe with amazing views. You can walk the docks and the red government docks. Great walking bridge near the ocean pool to watch the tide go in and out. Ice Cream in summer a must.
29 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
John Henry's Resort & Marina
4907 Pool RdBest place for enjoying ice cream while overlooking the sunset. Closest $ groceries for what you forgot (main Grocery Store is in Madeira Park 15 minutes farther), liquor store, new small cafe with amazing views. You can walk the docks and the red government docks. Great walking bridge near the ocean pool to watch the tide go in and out. Ice Cream in summer a must.
Largest local grocery store, surrounded by cafes, a bookstore, a liquor store, and a tourist information kiosk in summertime.
33 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
IGA Madeira Park
12887 Madeira Park RdLargest local grocery store, surrounded by cafes, a bookstore, a liquor store, and a tourist information kiosk in summertime.
Pharmacy, groceries, liquor store. Excellent Earthfair bookstore. Veterinarian, cafes and thrift shop.
36 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Madeira Park
Pharmacy, groceries, liquor store. Excellent Earthfair bookstore. Veterinarian, cafes and thrift shop.
Gas, Propane and sometimes phone cord supplies.
Best place for slushies that the kids want.
Petro-Canada
13525 Sunshine Coast HwyGas, Propane and sometimes phone cord supplies.
Best place for slushies that the kids want.
Madeira Park. Full wine, beer and spirits. Larger store 15 minutes away. A smaller one closer at John Henry’s. If you’re drinking, don’t drive to Madeira Park - the roads are very windy. You can walk to John Henry’s.
12 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
BC Liquor Stores
12887 Madeira Park RdMadeira Park. Full wine, beer and spirits. Larger store 15 minutes away. A smaller one closer at John Henry’s. If you’re drinking, don’t drive to Madeira Park - the roads are very windy. You can walk to John Henry’s.
Garbage $5. Drive up, weigh, they tell you which bin to throw it in, drive, throw, weigh and pay. On the highway side of mt Daniel. Check hours and plan ahead. A 10 minute errand.
Pender Harbour Transfer Station
Garbage $5. Drive up, weigh, they tell you which bin to throw it in, drive, throw, weigh and pay. On the highway side of mt Daniel. Check hours and plan ahead. A 10 minute errand.
They take everything and we like to support them. They pay or you can donate. On the way to Madeira park but we like to turn in coming back as it’s on the highway at a switchback. ♻️
Green Recycling In Pender Society
They take everything and we like to support them. They pay or you can donate. On the way to Madeira park but we like to turn in coming back as it’s on the highway at a switchback. ♻️
Parks & Nature
Tours. Kayak bioluminescent or boat tours. Versatile guide. www.mettaecoexperiences.ca
You can walk from our home, head right from our driveway, left on Clayton Road and its a rewarding view of the ocean with a dock. See if you can do the loop and find the ancient logging machine! Unique lichen species in the spring here. Note first photo is not ON the hike, just overlooking Pender Harbour.
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Garden Bay Marine Provincial Park
5220 Claydon RdYou can walk from our home, head right from our driveway, left on Clayton Road and its a rewarding view of the ocean with a dock. See if you can do the loop and find the ancient logging machine! Unique lichen species in the spring here. Note first photo is not ON the hike, just overlooking Pender Harbour.
This is a medium level hike with highly rewarding 280 degree views of the ocean, lakes and Pender Harbour. It can be done in 2.5 hours and is worth it. Kids and dogs can do this.
33 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pender Hill Trail Head
4331 Coastview DrThis is a medium level hike with highly rewarding 280 degree views of the ocean, lakes and Pender Harbour. It can be done in 2.5 hours and is worth it. Kids and dogs can do this.
Awesome destination to see the 3D map of the area, buy eco friendly books. They also have a kids program in summer - Lagoonies - usually on Saturdays 10-2. They also run the Earthfair bookstore in Madeira Park.
11 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Iris Griffith Field Studies & Interpretive Centre
15200 Sunshine Coast HwyAwesome destination to see the 3D map of the area, buy eco friendly books. They also have a kids program in summer - Lagoonies - usually on Saturdays 10-2. They also run the Earthfair bookstore in Madeira Park.
No incline trail along the ocean with vies of Texada and Vancouver Island and usually interesting boats moving past. Hard to find the entrance sometimes, but good for all ages. See if you can make it to the Arbutus Grove at the end with views of Thormamby Islands and beyond.
51 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Francis Point Provincial Park
No incline trail along the ocean with vies of Texada and Vancouver Island and usually interesting boats moving past. Hard to find the entrance sometimes, but good for all ages. See if you can make it to the Arbutus Grove at the end with views of Thormamby Islands and beyond.
New Garden with growing collections. They host weddings and have a lovely pavilion. Some special events. Frogs and friendly staff are highlights, not always in that order (they have a sense of humour).
11 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sunshine Coast Botanical Garden
5941 Mason RdNew Garden with growing collections. They host weddings and have a lovely pavilion. Some special events. Frogs and friendly staff are highlights, not always in that order (they have a sense of humour).
Future citizen science project Pender Ocean Discovery Centre in Irvine’s Landing. Support the Earthfair bookstore.
PODS - Pender Harbour Ocean Discovery Station
4150 Madeira Park RdFuture citizen science project Pender Ocean Discovery Centre in Irvine’s Landing. Support the Earthfair bookstore.
Arts & Culture
Dozens of Sunshine Coast Artists sell from this blacksmiths workshop - felt, ceramic, jewelery, furniture and glass blowers. He specializes in beautiful bells made from diving tanks.
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Flying Anvil Studio
6013 Garden Bay RdDozens of Sunshine Coast Artists sell from this blacksmiths workshop - felt, ceramic, jewelery, furniture and glass blowers. He specializes in beautiful bells made from diving tanks.
If you love beautiful hand made clothes, art and craft this is a surprising stop. It’s hosted national and provincial award winning artists. Gallery and supplies and finished pieces large and small for sale. We have bought gorgeous pillows, silk hand dyed shirts and felted sculptures from here. Check hours before you go. Right on the highway opposite the storage. We call it ‘moon base alpha’ because of all the yurts.
FibreWorks Studio & Gallery
12887 Sunshine Coast HwyIf you love beautiful hand made clothes, art and craft this is a surprising stop. It’s hosted national and provincial award winning artists. Gallery and supplies and finished pieces large and small for sale. We have bought gorgeous pillows, silk hand dyed shirts and felted sculptures from here. Check hours before you go. Right on the highway opposite the storage. We call it ‘moon base alpha’ because of all the yurts.
Beautiful restoration of a schoolhouse named after a prominent settler. Not always open, but rentable. On the way to Pender Hill hike and PODS Pender Ocean Discovery Station.
Sarah Wray Hall
4334 Irvines Landing RdBeautiful restoration of a schoolhouse named after a prominent settler. Not always open, but rentable. On the way to Pender Hill hike and PODS Pender Ocean Discovery Station.
Art gallery, music venue, local library in old forestry buildings. A nice walk through to the government docks from the retail and school in Madeira Park. Check for hours. Buy art !
Harbour Authority of Pender Harbour
12967 Madeira Park RdArt gallery, music venue, local library in old forestry buildings. A nice walk through to the government docks from the retail and school in Madeira Park. Check for hours. Buy art !
Shopping
15 minutes to Madeira Park for major supplies. 5 minutes to Garden Bay marina for more costly groceries and ice cream. 30 minutes to Sechelt shopping and Saturday farmers market.
Crafts, craft beer and good groceries. Some skin care and medicinal product vendors too. Original makers 10-2 by Sechelt library
46 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sechelt Farmers' & Artisans' Market
5800 Cowrie StCrafts, craft beer and good groceries. Some skin care and medicinal product vendors too. Original makers 10-2 by Sechelt library
Palmeros
5514 Wharf AveShoes and Ayala Bar jewlery for goddesses
Gorgeous fibers for discerning tastes. Uncommon modern unique threads.
10 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Blue Magnolia Clothing
5644 Cowrie StGorgeous fibers for discerning tastes. Uncommon modern unique threads.
Earthfair Bookstore in Madeira Park is run by this active nonprofit nature group. Great gift shop
The Ruby Lake Lagoon Nature Reserve Society
15386 Sunshine Coast HwyEarthfair Bookstore in Madeira Park is run by this active nonprofit nature group. Great gift shop
Excellent locally owned large grocery store
50 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Claytons Heritage Market
5755 Cowrie StExcellent locally owned large grocery store
Amazing local books store with a 3D map of the area. Local naturalists building a destination aquarium PODS in the future. Native plant garden nearby.
Earthfair Store
12902 Madeira Park RdAmazing local books store with a 3D map of the area. Local naturalists building a destination aquarium PODS in the future. Native plant garden nearby.
Getting Around
For when you want to keep exploring the northern Sunshine Coast. My favourite ferry ride views in BC.
BC Ferries Earls Cove Terminal
16550 Sunshine Coast HwyFor when you want to keep exploring the northern Sunshine Coast. My favourite ferry ride views in BC.
Back to Vancouver. You are not charged for the return trip, but they do ask for a count of passengers at the gate. Best to check Current Conditions and allow at least an hour drive time to get there. Fingers crossed you get the boat you want! We recommend $10 reservation booked in advance.
12 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Langdale Terminal station
1376 Port Mellon HwyBack to Vancouver. You are not charged for the return trip, but they do ask for a count of passengers at the gate. Best to check Current Conditions and allow at least an hour drive time to get there. Fingers crossed you get the boat you want! We recommend $10 reservation booked in advance.
The Bus Stop for a $2 bus ride to the Langdale ferry terminal is located just northwest of this store, on Cowrie Street. Good for when not all family members can stay as long, and it connects to downtown Vancouver easily on the other side. Saves someone an hour of driving if they are staying longer in Garden Bay.
11 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Trail Bay Source For Sports
5504 Trail AveThe Bus Stop for a $2 bus ride to the Langdale ferry terminal is located just northwest of this store, on Cowrie Street. Good for when not all family members can stay as long, and it connects to downtown Vancouver easily on the other side. Saves someone an hour of driving if they are staying longer in Garden Bay.