Gibsons
Gibsons is located on the traditional territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation). A charming coastal town, and the first stop for many visiting as it’s just a short 40-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver. This town is known for its stunning natural beauty, vibrant art scene, and friendly community atmosphere.
MADEIRA PARK SHOPS
Get groceries at the IGA and the Oak Tree Market (great butcher!), spirits at the BC Liquor Store, prescriptions at the Marina Pharmacy, building supplies at RONA, check out the Bargain Barn Thrift Store, enjoy the famous burgers at Triple B’s Burgers, eat awesome pizza at the Harbour Pizza, sushi at the Japanese Restaurant, tacos at the Mexican Restaurant, pastries at Baked On The Coast, wings at the Royal Canadian Legion, cocktails at the oceanfront Grasshopper Pub, pick up books and gifts at the EarthStore – and in case you need these services, find an ATM at the Sunshine Coast Credit Union, book office space at Fuse Work Hub, get checked at the Pender Harbour Health Center, get a haircut at Shear Intensity, take Fido to the veterinary hospital.
ACCOMMODATIONS
For affordable accommodations in or close to Madeira Park, stay at the Stonewater Motel and Camping, the Sunshine Coast Resort & Marina, and the Pender Harbour Hotel and Marina with it’s popular Grasshopper Pub overlooking the harbour.. Or stay at the beautiful Madeira Park Bed & Breakfast, the Moon Dance Cabin on Oyster Bay and the Freedom Lodge with its Spa services.
On the higher end, stay at the Painted Boat Resort, with its world-class Spa Garden and Lagoon restaurant and marina where float planes come and go, adds a touch of class to this charming sea‐side village. So does the Rockwater Secret Cove Resort with its fine dining restaurant and romantic Tenthouse Suites sprinkled along the shoreline.
Across the harbour in the Garden Bay area, camp at Hotel Lake, Katherine Lake, and Garden Bay Resort. You can also camp or stay in an oceanfront cabin at the Pender Harbour Resort and Marina or at the John Henry’s Marina and Resort.
BOATING
Pender Harbour is a popular spot for boaters, as there are multiple marinas available for moorage:
- John Henry’s Marina and Resort
- Pender Harbour Resort & Marina
- Sunshine Coast Resort & Marina
- Pender Harbour Hotel and Marina & Grasshopper Pub
- Painted Boat Resort, Marina, Restaurant & Spa
- Coho Marina & RV Resort
- Harbour Authority of Pender Harbour
You can also anchor pretty much anywhere inside this protected harbour. Take your dinghy to any of the resorts’ restaurants and pubs that have marinas with dinghy docks.
Tie up at the government dock in Madeira Park to access the village shops and more restaurants. For boat fuel, stop at John Henry’s Marina and Resort. For boat repairs, check out Madeira Marine right next to the government dock. Call SeaWolf Diving for anchor retrieval and haul scraping. Other popular anchorages in the area include Smuggler’s Cove and the Thormanby Islands, a popular for campers pitching tents on the sandy beach.
GO FISH
Rent a motorboat at the Pender Harbour Resort & Marina to go explore around Fearney Bluffs, Nelson Rock, and the Anderson and Charles Islands just outside Pender Harbour. Or simply drop a fishing line off the resort’s pier.
Or some serious fishing, call the Gulf Rascal Charters. Pender Harbour is well‐known for its salmon, cod, flounder, and snapper, as well as surface‐feeding trout in many of our freshwater lakes in the Garden Bay area.
HIKING FOR ALL LEVELS:
EASY
In Madeira Park, enjoy a relaxing hike in the forest by Lily Lake and spot the turtles that nest there. Visit the Iris Griffith Wetlands with interpretive signs on the boardwalk just past the Post Office. Look out for duck species feeding in the lagoon, plus the resident beaver!
MODERATE
In Madeira Park, take a 5 minute-drive on Francis Peninsula Road to find Meryl Street. The street ends at Francis Point Marine Park. Go up to the lookout or hike the trail by the ocean to a light beacon on the point.
CHALLENGING
Take Garden Bay Road at the PetroCanada gas station in Kleindale to find Mount Daniel, Pender Hill and Daniel Point for spectacular views!
For a real challenge, hike the Suncoaster Trail.
GO JUMP IN A LAKE
The Garden Bay area in the northern shores of Pender Harbour (turn west at the PetroCanada) are blessed with beautiful lakes perfect for swimming! Many of the lakes have little docks you can jump off, but the best of the bunch is Katherine Lake, a regional park campground with a beautiful sandy lake beach.
Continuing north on the Sunshine Coast Highway is Ruby Lake with another sandy lake beach at Dan Bosch Park. This is also home of the Lagoon Society and the Ruby Lake Resort with its excellent Italian restaurant. Klein Lake recreational area in Egmont is a remote lake offering primitive camping, fishing and swimming off the docks.
How To Get Here
Travellers from Vancouver – Take a BC Ferry from Horseshoe Bay (West Vancouver) to Langdale (Gibsons), and then drive a scenic 50 kilometres (1 hour) northwest on Highway 101.
If you are driving down from Powell River, take the Saltery Bay BC Ferry to Earl’s Cove and then drive south for 30 minutes to Pender Harbour.
