Sunshine Coast Powell River — Day 3 of a 4-Day Trip on British Columbia Coast
It was another gorgeous summer day on the Sunshine Coast. We had the usual breakfast of oats and greek yogurt and coffee/tea and prepared to depart the Airbnb. Our destination for Day 3 on the Sunshine Coast was Powell River.
Day 3
Powell River
We headed to Earls Cove to catch the 12:55pm ferry to Saltery Bay. The ferry ride is free and has a 50 minute crossing time. We were about two hours early to the ferry and were first in line.
Saltery Bay is about a 30 minute drive to Powell River. Powell River is a small town built around a pulp and paper mill, which was closed at the time we visited. By the time we reached Powell River, we were famished and headed to Costa Del Sol, a Mexican and Latin restaurant, for lunch. We waited 25 minutes for a table and promptly ordered the Nachitos to share. For my main, I ordered the crispy chicken tacos (Note: You can turn your taco into a burrito for an extra $3.50). The portions were huge and very delicious!
After lunch, we checked into our hotel, Beyond Bliss Hotel Suites, which is located just across the street. Next destination was the Townsite Heritage District. Townsite is a small area surrounding the pulp and paper mill with historical architecture. We headed to Townsite Brewing to share a flight of beers. My favourite was the passionfruit sour.
Townsite Brewing
We then headed up to the Townsite Viewpoint to see the Hulks, a popular attraction in Powell River. The Hulks are ships built of wood, steel and reinforced concrete and were brought to Powell River to be used as floating breakwater. These ships were once used in the 1st and 2nd World Wars.
We headed down to Second Beach in hopes of getting a closer view of the Hulks, but unfortunately, did not get much better of a view. The beach area was quiet.
Second Beach
After Second Beach, we headed to Willingdon Beach. On our way to Willingdon Beach, we drove through an interesting underpass surrounded by vegetation.
The weather was beginning to cool off and there was a slightly chilly breeze. We walked along the pathway out to the water at Willingdon Beach.
Across from Willingdon Beach is a mini golf location, Putters Mini Golf. The mini golf location is also a popular spot for ice cream. We played a round of mini golf before heading to our 7pm dinner reservations.
Putters Mini Golf
For dinner, we went to Coastal Cookery which was next door to our hotel. We were still really full from lunch, so we ordered the salmon lettuce cups and barbecue chicken wings to share. Portions were once again very big and food was so tasty!
We headed back to Costa Del Sol for evening drinks. We ordered the original margarita and the pineapple coconut margarita. The pineapple coconut margarita tasted like a pina colada — Yum!
To end the day, we took an evening stroll around Powell River and watched the sunset from the hotel balcony.
Evening Sunset Powell River
Complete Day 3 Itinerary
*Travel times may vary. Check Google Maps for most accurate travel details.
8:00am: Enjoy breakfast and relax in the morning.
11:30am: Head to Earls Cove Ferry Terminal (20 minute drive from Madeira Park).
2:00pm: Head to Costa Del Sol for a late lunch (26 minute drive from Saltery Bay).
3:00pm: Visit the Townsite Heritage District (5 minute drive from Costa Del Sol). Enjoy a drink at Townsite Brewing.
4:00pm: Observe the Hulks at the Townsite Viewpoint (1 minute drive from Townsite Brewing). Head down to Second Beach (3 minute drive from Townsite Viewpoint). Continue to Willingdon Beach (4 minute drive). Grab ice cream from Putters Mini Golf and walk along the beach.
6:00pm: Have dinner at Coastal Cookery (2 minute drive from Willingdon Beach). Go to Costa Del Sol for drinks (1 minute walk from Coastal Cookery).
4-Day BC Coast Itinerary
Click “Download” below for an excel version of my 4-Day BC Coast Itinerary. Feel free to use the excel file as a planning template for your own trip along the BC Coast!
Travels with Carolyne 