Explore Smuggler Cove Marine Park on BC’s Sunshine Coast

Smugglers Cover Sechelt is a beautiful Marine Park on the Sunshine Coast in BC. It was one of my favourite mornings on our long weekend trip to BC’s Sunshine Coast which was full of hiking and kayaking.

The coastline is beautiful and one of the prettiest places we visited was Smuggler Cove Marine Park.

We visited early in the morning and came across just a few other people wile walking around the main inlet of the ocean.

There were a few sailboats anchored in the cove and it was incredibly peaceful.

As we were leaving it’d got much busier so if you’d like to visit I recommend getting up early!

If you are looking for things to do on the Sunshine Coast BC, then be sure to check out this guide to Smugglers Cove Park.

Hiking in Smuggler Cove Marine Park

Smuggler Cove Marine Park has a 4 km trail that’s well signposted and easy to follow. Simply start in the small parking area. You’ll spot a sign to the right of the car park which heads into the forest and the path for the Smugglers Cove hike is easy to follow.

Soon you’ll come out at a wooden boardwalk with takes you over a marshy area.

You’ll then head towards the left and come to a gravel trail. From here there’s a second bridge and then another boardwalk.

Continue along the trail as you head through the forest and come to a junction. Turning left here takes you up to a viewpoint that looks over to Grant Island. Follow the trail back to where you left it and this time head right. This climbs uphill and you’ll be able to see the cove itself.

The path continues uphill and comes out at a rocky entrance to Smugglers Cove Sunshine Coast. From here just follow the path round the park.

There are beautiful views of the Georgia Strait as well as of Thormanby Island. You’ll come across plenty of boards with history and information on them so pause to read these. Take a break on one of the benches around the park to soak up the morning quiet before returning back to the car park.

How to get to Smuggler Cove

From Vancouver catch the ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Gibsons. Then follow the Sunshine Coast Highway for 42km and turn left at Brooks Road. It’s signposted and easy to find!

About Smuggler Cove Marine Provincial Park

Smuggler Cove is on the south side of the Sechelt Peninsula near Secret Cove on the Lower Sunshine Coast.

It’s a beautiful 185-hectare park and is super peaceful if you go early and a bit off-season (otherwise expect to come across lots of people on the trail!).

Smuggler Cove was once used during the prohibition period to hide alcohol from the authorities as they sailed it south to the US.

Other hikes on the Sunshine Coast BC

Once you’ve explored Smugglers Cove BC, be sure to check out some of the other awesome places t visit on the Sunshine Coast BC.

One of my other favourites, was the Pender Hill hike. Soames Hill is also. a fun and relatively easy hike to do once you’ve arrived off the ferry, or just before you head back. Its location by Gibsons makes this a great hike in Gibsons BC.

For more of a walk than a hike, be sure to check out the Skookumchuck Rapids. Besides this Smugglers Cove hike, this was another of my favourite things to see during this trip.

And, if you have more time, head to the upper part of the Sunshine Coast and check out these things to do in Powell River such as camping in Powell River, or taking a Desolation Sound kayak trip.

Last Updated on December 28, 2023 by Hannah