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Craig and I are living on the Sunshine Coast in Roberts Creek for two months this summer and man we feel lucky! Beaches, lakes, and lush parks are why they call it Beautiful B.C. Not even a fortnight, my parents have followed us, so we’ve hired a car and headed north to see what natural delights the Sunshine Coast offers, starting with Pender Harbour.
Sunshine Coast Road Trip
The Sunshine Coast is so easy to navigate, which was helpful for Craig driving on the wrong side of the road.
You’ll find Madeira Park on Highway 101, where boat tours of Pender Harbour commence.
Pender Harbour
The SloCat Boat tour by Slocat Harbour Tours has been recommended by Martin, the manager of Up The Creek in Roberts Creek.
He advises that all the small areas around Pender Harbour were historically not reached by wheels; there was no paved road access until the ’60s!
Slocat Harbour Tours
We met our captain, Mark, at 3pm and set sail with another group of five.
The boat was comfortable with padded seats and was equipped with a hand drawn map, Mark putting his Geography degree to use and binoculars, which we used to spot bald eagles and blue heron but unfortunately not killer whales like the week before.
The beauty of the tour was not only what we could see – the mountains, the animals, fancy boats and plush houses but Mark’s knowledge and charm!
Mark’s tour is a geography, historical, cultural and political tour of the harbour.
He told us stories about shipwrecks, pressure for the input of First Nations, the Sechelt Indian Band and the bust and boom of the housing market.
Mark is originally from Vancouver but fell in love with Pender Harbour – the small drinking town with a fishing problem after he accidentally stumbled across the area, mainly Ruby Lake, on an impromptu cycle trip.
His previous resume includes a Geography degree tours around Whistler and a radio announcer, so the transition to the captain of the Slocat Tour was logical.
It’s easy to see why he transitioned from life in the big city to the waves of Pender Harbour.
Be sure to reserve your seat on a small boat tour of Pender Harbour during your trip to the Sunshine Coast, BC.
- Address: 12967 Madeira Park Road
- Contact: 1-604-741-3796
- Email: [email protected]
Our Sunshine Coast BC Guides
Thanks to Mark at Slocat Harbour Tours for our ride, honest review as always.
Sad that you didn’t see any whales! 🙁 That is such a treat. I think you’ll have to do another tour while you’re staying there! 😉
I recently watched the Youtube clip of the whale who was set free by some Joe Publics and then did a magical display for them. Made me smile!
another 2 Scots who visited this cracking place with our friends Jim and Brenda Peever from Vancouver way back in 1976.Great memories
Love it!
Great post – Mark looks like a lovely chap! It really does make a difference when a tour guide adds a little something extra. A bit more background and detail makes all the difference. Shame you didn’t spot the killer whales on this trip but great photos none the less :).
Gabby
He was a dude, you are right. The guide makes it! It’s been the same on all of our walking tours too.
You are indeed fortunate to be spending time in Pender Harbour! I’ve explored much of Beautiful BC, but not yet the Sunshine Coast. Enjoy!
Ah you’ll need to make it a priority if over again.
Looks like a beautiful and relaxing way to spend a day!
It really was!
Love the pics! There’s something about the water that calls to me.
There were a few people in the small group who dozed off!