Rough Cut Diamond




Beautiful 'Sea Walk' at Sechelt

When we arrived at Sechelt by boat, we had the mistaken impression that the town might not have much to offer.  Porpoise Bay at the end of Sechelt Inlet provides plenty of space to anchor and has a good mud bottom for holding, but there are several derelict boats in the bay giving a wrong first impression.  We were looking forward to visiting the main part of town and seeing the west side (Strait of Georgia side) of Sechelt, but weren’t expecting anything special.   Our fold-up bicycles were loaded into the dinghy and we motored to shore.  After tying-up the dinghy at the Lighthouse Pub & Marina, we headed south along Wharf Street for the short half-mile bike ride into town.  

West Side Sechelt, great beaches and expansive views

Once in town we turned west towards the Strait and found the seawall or ‘sea walk’ which was surprisingly beautiful.  A low-profile seawall runs for several miles along the beach with a wide ‘sea walk' above, adorned with lovely plantings and park benches.  The expansive views are stupendous overlooking Trail Islands, Trail Bay, and across the Strait of Georgia.  On the north end of the sea walk, new modern-style condominiums follow the shoreline.  It seems that a building boom is beginning at Sechelt; we saw evidence of new apartments and condos being constructed in other areas of the city as well.  Perhaps homes have become too expensive for retirees in the town of Gibsons to the south, so new retirees are moving further north to Sechelt; not a bad choice for a small town with beautiful views and ample shopping.  

Totems of the Shishalh Nation overlooking the ocean beach

As we rode our bikes south along the seawall, we discovered a collection of totems standing over the beach honoring the First Nations of the Shishalh (Sechelt) of the area.  Other totems can be found in various spots throughout town (a map is available at the tourist office).  Various placards along the sea walk describe the importance of Sechelt in earlier times.  The Union Steamship Co., which provided water transportation along the ‘Sunshine Coast’ to various communities of the early 1920’s, promoted Sechelt as a tourist destination, describing the area as the ‘Gulf Coast Riviera.’  Much earlier in

Placard honoring early Explorers of the Sunshine Coast

the late 1700’s, Spanish explorers, including Jose Narvaez, Dionisio Galiano, and Cayetano Valdes in addition to British explorer George Vancouver explored along the Sunshine Coast of today’s British Columbia.  It was Jose Narvaez, Captain of the Saturnina, who was the first European to land at present day Vancouver B.C. and the first European to explore the Sunshine Coast, landing at present day Davis Bay, a small community on the southwest end of Sechelt.  

Davis Bay 'Sea Walk'

We wanted to see this section of the seawall and the location where Narvaez landed.  Unfortunately, the two sections of the seawall or 'sea walk' are interrupted by a busy road.  Determined, we made the three-mile bike trek to Davis Bay and discovered another beautiful sea walk with fabulous views.  It reminded us of California or Alki Point in Seattle; people were out strolling the sea walk and playing on the beach, while cars cruised the strip lined with shops and cafes.  

Placard honoring Jose Narvaez

At the end of the sea walk, near the tide flats, we found the placard describing the importance of Narvaez’ explorations.  Narvaez made a survey of the area incorporated into a chart showing southern Vancouver Island, Juan de Fuca Strait, and the San Juan Islands.  This was the chart shown to Captain Vancouver by Galiano and Valdes the following summer; Vancouver was shocked to find that others had already explored the area.  

Davis Bay 'Sea Walk' and beaches

We were glad we had made the trek to Davis Bay; although probably easier done by Taxi (604-885-3666).  We enjoyed the beautiful afternoon which was fast drawing to a close.  As we rode our bikes back to the dinghy, I couldn’t help but contemplate the courage of the early explorers.