17 Best Things to do in Powell River BC

We visited Powell River before and after out kayaking trip in Desolation Sound. We spend a few days checking out what to do in Powell River and so if you’re visiting the Sunshine Coast and looking for the best things to do in Powell River, then this post is for you.

The town of Powell River, BC on the northern end of The Sunshine Coast is a great destination for adventurers.

Whether you’re looking for the best things to do in Powell River, or nearby, you’re sure to find plenty of ideas below.

From the great restaurants in Powell River, to where to go camping in Powell River, adventures such as hiking, climbing, and more, there are lots of fun Powell River activities to keep you entertained.

Note: Though most people know Powell River as the name for this town, the Powell River Regional District changed its name to qathet Regional District in 2018. qathet means “people working together” and was gifted by Elders from the Tla’amin Nation. This reflects the Indigenous Peoples of the area who are the rightful owners of this land.

Map of the best things to do Powell River British Columbia

I’ve put all the things I mention below onto a Google Map which you can use to help plan your trip and see where things are in relation to each other.

To use it, simply click on the image and it’ll open it up in your Google Maps app!

The Best Things To Do in Powell River, BC

Below you’ll find a selection of the best things to do in Powell River. The majority of these are summer activities and summer is the best time to visit Powell River by far. It’s when most of the businesses are open and, with the nicer weather in Powell River, you’ll be able to spend more time outside exploring.

1. Savary Island

Savary Island is just a short boat trip from Powell River and it’s a beautiful and peaceful island that I highly recommend visiting for a day or two while near Powell River.

On this car-free island, the primary modes of transportation are walking and cycling, which just makes the whole place even more peaceful.

The island is also known for having Canada’s warmest waters north of Mexico, and it’s home to remarkably stunning sandy beaches—South Beach being a standout with its pristine white sands and inviting clear waters.

As you walk down Vancouver Boulevard, the island’s main road you’ll come across shops, cabins, and a few places to eat such as Riggers pub and the General Store.

Most places on Savary Island operate on a cash-only basis so don’t forget to bring some!

If you’re interested in exploring the entire island, especially if your time there is limited, bringing a bike on the water taxi or renting one from Savary Bike Rentals is a great way to get around.

The island is ideal for day trips, but if you want to stay longer, be sure to check out this Savary Island camping guide.

How to Get to Savary Island from Powell River

Savary Island has very few vehicles, so people mainly get around by biking or walking.

To reach the island, take a small water taxi from Lund; it carries only people and bicycles.

The Lund water taxi costs $14 per person each way, and it’s wise to book your ticket in advance during the busy summer months.

2. Townsite Brewing

Townsite Brewing, Powell River is a coastal micro-brewery that focuses on great beer with a Belgian flair. You’ll find classic brews and seasonal favorites.

Not a beer drinker? There’s often some cider or kombucha on tap too.

The building itself is super pretty with red brick and even an old-school arcade machine. If you decide to get drinks for later, you can pick up some cans to take back to your hotel or home too.

3. Eat at the best Powell River restaurants

For such a small town there’s no shortage of great Powell River restaurants. You can find delicious Mexican, flavorsome coastal cuisine, and strongly recommended Indian dishes too.

We ended up going back to the same place twice (before and after our kayak trip) because it was just so good!

4. Take a kayak trip to Desolation Sound

This was the main reason we were in Powell River in the first place! Powell River is the perfect place to be before and/or after a kayak trip to Desolation Sound Marine Park.

We rented sea kayaks from Powell River sea kayaks just a little further up the coast and headed out for two nights camping at the Curme Islands. It rained non-stop but we still got some great views.

5. Explore the Copeland Islands

The Copeland Islands are another destination that’s popular with kayakers. It’s on the opposite side of The Sunshine Coast to Desolation Sound and is best accessed from Lund, just a little further north of Powell River.

6. Go Hiking on the Sunshine Coast Trail

The Sunshine Coast Trail is a 180 km long hut-to-hut hiking trail that spans the length of the Northern part of The Sunshine Coast. Completing the whole trail takes most people the best part of two weeks.

However, there are many parts of the trail that work great as day hikes, overnighters, or shorter multi-day trips. Perhaps the most popular segment is the do the Tin Hat Mountain hike on the Sunshine Coast.

This cabin is in one of the most beautiful locations with a view of the forest and lakes below. However, many of the other Sunshine Coast Trail cabins are stunning too!

7. Hit the backroads and go rock climbing

The Eldred Valley Road is extremely remote and renowned for great climbing and bouldering. There are huge granite walls to scale and the Eldred Camp in the forest makes a great base while you work on your project.

Though it’s tricky to get here due to the rough logging roads and remote locations, this is one of the best places for outdoor activities in Powell River if you’re an experienced backcountry user. This is where you’ll find some of the best Powell River secret spots.

8. View The Hulks of Powell River

The Hulks of Powell River is the name given to a line of ships that are concrete-reinforced in order to act as a floating breakwater. These are one of the top things to see in Powell River and they’re pretty unique.

The breakwater was required to make a log pond for the paper and Powell River pulp mill.

Fun fact: this mill was once the largest paper mill in the world!

Usually, these ships would have been sunk but since they were too big they were left floating. This gives you a pretty cool viewpoint – and certainly an unusual one! One of the best places to view the Powell River Hulks is the Townsite Viewpoint on Marine Avenue so head there and check off one of the most unique things to do in Powell River BC.

9. Discover the best things to do in Lund BC

Just 30 minutes north of Powell River is the cute town of Lund. Even smaller than Powell River, Lund is also the end of the road! You can’t get any further north in this area without a boat.

Though it won’t take you long to explore Lund itself, it’s the launch point to Savary Island, the Copeland Islands, and, for some, Desolation Sound.

You can also take tours out into the ocean to try and spot whales, seals, and more.

10. Walk Willingdon Beach Trail

The Willingdon Beach Trail is an easy walk of just over 1 kilometer long on a wide trail. The trail used to be a train line and you can still see bits and pieces from this including an old trestle bridge.

Since you’re walking alongside Willingdon Beach, you’ll get great views and it’s ideal for watching the sunset in Powell River!

11. Go stand-up paddleboarding

There is no shortage of lakes and water near Powell River.

If you don’t have a paddleboard you can rent one from Mitchell’s Canoe, Kayak & Sup. If you’re in the market for a paddleboard then take a look at iRocker. We got ours from there several years ago and have never had any issues!

You can paddle on both the coastline near Willington Beach or head inland to lakes such as Inland Lake, Sliammon Lake, and others. There’s nothing quite like getting out on the water on a beautiful day.

12. Visit Inland Lake Provincial Park

Inland Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes close to Powell River. It’s ideal for swimming, paddling, hiking, running, or cycling around the lake.

The trail around the lake is 13km long and has bridges and boardwalks at various points. Along the way, you’ll enjoy lake views and forest smells and sounds.

13. Spend a Chilled Morning at a Coffee Shop

Unfortunately Base Camp, above, is now closed, but we loved 32 Lakes which does delicious coffee and the best pastries!

14. Walk the Seawalk

At the southern end of town is the Seawalk where a gravel path runs alongside the ocean.

There are some benches and spots to soak up the views of Texada Island and the Powell River ferry from Vancouver Island.

15. Powell Lake

Powell Lake is expansive and serene, making it a must-visit spot, especially at Haywire Bay Regional Park. Here, you can spend a day exploring the stunning lake, or better yet, stay overnight at the campground located right along the lakeshore.

If you’re into water sports, bring your kayak, canoe, or SUP to go out further onto the lake (this can be a great way to get away from any pesky mosquitoes!).

On a sunny summer day, lounging by this lake in Powell River is very hard to beat.

There’s also a campground here that operates on a first-come, first-served basis all year round. If you’re not camping, there’s a great day-use area with a designated swimming area, ideal for families.

16. Explore the historic townsite

Step back in time by visiting Powell River’s Historic Townsite, designated as a National Historic District in 1995.

This well-preserved townsite is home to over 400 original buildings from its 1910 town plan, including a paper mill that was once the world’s largest! Today, the mill, now part of Catalyst Paper, stands as a vivid reminder of Powell River’s industrial heritage.

To delve deeper into the town’s past, make a stop at the Powell River Historical Museum (qathet Museum & Archives) where you can find a wide array of logging equipment and art from the Tla’amin First Nations, offering a comprehensive look at the area’s rich history and culture.

It’s not far from downtown Powell River and it’s one of the best things to do in Powell River on a rainy day.

17. Check out the Powell River Farmer’s Market

The Powell River Farmers’ Market is a beloved local gathering spot, where you can shop for the best of the region’s agricultural produce and artisan products.

The market takes place on Saturdays and Sundays and is definitely the place to go for fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and flowers, as well as homemade jams, honey, baked goods, and more.

Not only is the market a fantastic spot to pick up fresh produce, but it’s also a wonderful opportunity to meet local farmers and artisans.

You can often enjoy live music and hot food from local vendors too.

How to get to Powell River, BC

To get to Powell River you need to take at least one ferry. BC Ferries to Powell River run regularly from two locations and you can see ferry schedules for Powell River on BCFerries.com.

BC Ferries to Powell River from Vancouver

To get to Powell River from Vancouver, you should take the ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale (Gibsons) and then drive to Egmont and get a second ferry to Saltery Bay.

From Powell River to Gibsons is about a 2.5 hours drive and from Saltery Bay it’s a 20-30 minute drive to Powell River.

Despite this journey from Vancouver to Powell River taking around 4-5 hours, Powell River is a great destination for a Vancouver weekend getaway!

Powell River Ferry from Vancouver Island

If you’re on Vancouver Island, drive up to Courtenay and catch the ferry to Powell River from there.

Seaplane to Powell River

Are you feeling fancy or short on time and wondering how to get from Vancouver to Powell River quickly?

You can also get a seaplane to Powell River! Harbour Air leaves downtown Vancouver Harbour and flies directly to Powell River for around $180.

Where to stay Powell River British Columbia

There aren’t many hotels in Powell River, most people end up camping instead or staying in some of the lodges and cabin rentals a bit further outside the town.

However, I have found some great places to stay in Powell River over the years and have included them below.

• Westview Centre Motel: Just a 3-minute drive from the Powell River (Westview) Ferry Terminal and offers rooms with scenic sea views. Each room is equipped with free WiFi, a refrigerator, and a private bathroom with complimentary toiletries. Some guests were even able to see humpback whales and beautiful sunsets right from the motel’s front seating area!
• Four Seasons Private Villa: This private villa in Powell River offers a spacious retreat with 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a fully equipped kitchen. You can enjoy the sea views from the patio and balcony, with free private parking and free WiFi enhancing convenience. The property also has a picnic area and a relaxing garden, and an indoor play area is also available.
• Ocean View Multi-Level Suite with 2 Bedrooms: This holiday home in Powell River offers guests a tranquil stay with a private beach area, garden, and barbecue. The 2-bedroom suite is complete with a well-equipped kitchen, and free private parking as well as a private beach area!

FAQs on what to do in Powell River BC

Final thoughts on these Powell River things to do

Powell River is a fantastic place to visit, full of natural beauty and relaxing vibes. Getting from Powell River to Vancouver is relatively easy and just involves a few ferry crossings.

Whether you love outdoor adventures, are planning a family trip, or just want to chill by the sea, Powell River is a spot that has something for everyone.

From the beautiful lakes and beach walks to peaceful Savary Island nearby, this lovely area on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast is a top pick for anyone looking to experience the best of Canada in a laid-back and welcoming setting.

If you’re looking for more things to do on the Sunshine Coast, why not check out this guide to Smuggler’s Cove Marine Park, or even all my Gulf Island guides and travel guides for Vancouver BC.

Last Updated on August 9, 2024 by Hannah