Sailboats gently lie at anchor in Smuggler's Cove

Smuggler Cove Provincial Park has a fascinating 'history' of illegal Chinese labourer smuggling a century ago.

Today, tiny Smuggler's Cove is a beautiful marine park, and one of the most popular and best summer anchorages on the Sunshine Coast.

The park provides easy hiking on a number of short trails or a 3.5-km (2- hour) round trip trail. Camp sites, toilets and a seasonal park host are available.

A forested trail leads to the secluded anchorage of Smuggler's Cove. A little further on, past the cove, the main trail ends at a small bay off Welcome Pass, with views across to south Thormanby Island and north to Texada Island.

The park is accessed by driving 16 km north of Sechelt on the Sunshine Coast Highway (101). Turn West on Brooks Road and follow the park signs for 5 km to the ample parking area.

Boaters enter Smuggler Cove from Welcome Passage through the narrow entrance at Wilbraham Point (due south of Pender harbour).

Guide and Map: The local guide Trails of The Lower Sunshine Coast is produced by the Sunshine Coast Forest District - available at Visitor Info Centres on the Sunshine Coast.

Click for companies that offer Hiking & Backpacking services, or visit our Recreation section for more information on Hiking and Backpacking in British Columbia.