When non-residents learn that I live in Gibsons, BC, they’ll sometimes ask, “What’s it like to live on the Island?” While this comment draws ire from some Sunshine Coasters, there are a few reasons why the uninitiated might be forgiven for thinking we’re part of Vancouver Island. But there are also a couple of ways that the Sunshine Coast is distinctly its own thing.
SAME – Both rely on the ferry
Just like Vancouver Island, you need to ride a ferry to visit. The Sunshine Coast is part of BC’s mainland, but there’s no road that connects us to the rest of the province so if you want to visit Gibsons or Sechelt or Pender Harbour over a long weekend, you’ll need need to ride a ferry. (If you were REALLY determined, you COULD walk from Squamish to Port Mellon but it’d be a slog!)
For visitors and tourists, riding the ferry can feel like taking a spaceship to another planet. The physical distance from the Lower Mainland to the Sunshine Coast or Vancouver Island is relatively modest, but the necessity to visit using either destination via ferry makes both feel very remote.
DIFFERENT – Gentle isolation
The Sunshine Coast has what I like to call a gentle isolation. We’re not REALLY really cut off from the rest of civilization but there’s enough separation that it makes instant gratification more difficult. There are no same-day Amazon deliveries, there are no hardware stores open until 10pm, and there are no highways that allow you to leave for another part of Canada anytime of the day or night.
Crossings to the Sunshine Coast are long enough that they act as a deterrent to those only casually interested, but short enough that locals know making semi-regular trips isn’t the end of the world.
SAME – Similar vibes
The vibe on the Sunshine Coast kinda feels Vancouver Island-y, especially when you venture out into smaller communities. The Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island both have beautiful coastline, snow capped mountains, bear, deer, lakes, beaches, and lots of trees. There’s hiking, sailing, fishing, and camping. People are generally friendly and laid back.
DIFFERENT – Smaller and less populous
The Sunshine Coast is physically smaller than Vancouver Island. Depending on how you measure it, the Sunshine Coast is about 180km from its southernmost to its northernmost point. Including qathet Regional District, the population is roughly 55,000 people.
In comparison, Vancouver Island is 450km from top to bottom and covers an area of 32,000 km². At well over 850,000 people, Vancouver Island’s population far exceeds that of the Sunshine Coast.
Vancouver Island has more and larger cities. The largest centres are:
- Greater Victoria with a population of about 397,000;
- Nanaimo’s metro area is 115,000; and
- Courtenay/Comox has a combined population of around 75,000.
Compare those populations to the Sunshine Coast:
- Gibsons has nearly 5,000 residents;
- Sechelt is home to 10,500 people; and
- Powell River has a population of right around 14,000.
Because of the larger population size of Vancouver Island, more services and businesses are offered. This means you may find fewer reasons to leave the Island and go into Vancouver compared to the what’s available on the Sunshine Coast. A prime example that I hear again and again is the lack of a Costco on the Sunshine Coast, whereas Vancouver Island has three separate locations.
Car shows
Another fun example that may apply to a smaller group of people are car shows. If you’re into showing off your collectible car and you live on the Sunshine Coast, there’s only one or two car shows a year to participate in. But if you’re on Vancouver Island, there are more car shows at more times of the year that you can go to without leaving the island and putting your collectible car on a ferry. If you’re on the Sunshine Coast and you want to participate in more car shows, you’ll need to put your hot rod onto a ferry which may give you pause.
But on the other hand, there’s nothing cooler than being on the ferry when there’s a fleet of old cars travelling to or from a car show!
Val’s note
In my mind, the ferry isn’t a barrier; it’s a filter. It keeps life on the Sunshine Coast a little simpler, a little slower. If you’re thinking about visiting, or even moving here, be ready to adjust your pace. You can’t rush the Sunshine Coast, but if you’re craving balance between connection and calm, you’ll find it here on this not-quite-an-island.
Call or text Val: 604-399-8935
Email Val: info@vallabrecque.ca
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