Things to do along the Sea to Sky Highway
Given that 2021 became the unofficial year of the road trip, we intentionally spent the summer exploring locations close to our home in Vancouver, British Columbia . Today, we’d like to share our favourite things to do along the Sea to Sky Highway.
There’s good reason why it’s consistently rated as one of the best scenic drives in Canada .
The Sea to Sky Highway, also known as Highway 99 , is a beautiful mountain drive that begins in Vancouver and continues to Pemberton, passing through Squamish and Whistler along the way.
Now, some might argue that the highway actually begins at the USA border in South Surrey and ends at Cache Creek. They would not be wrong. However, for the purposes of this blog post, we will focus on the Sea to Sky Corridor, which starts in West Vancouver and ends in the Pemberton Valley
At the time of publishing this guide to Sea to Sky attractions, the Canada-USA border still has some travel restrictions in place. If you’re not from Canada, make sure you confirm travel requirements before entering Canada.
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Top places to stop in the Sea to Sky Corridor
As residents of Vancouver, we sometimes forget we how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful part of the world.
Every time we return from an international trip we’re reminded that we need to spend more time exploring British Columbia. You can visit most of these Sea to Sky attractions year round; however, the focus for this blog post will be summer activities.
There are so many awesome things to do along the Sea to Sky Highway that you can’t possible do them all on one trip. That said, if you do prove us wrong, please let us know because that would be an epic road trip for the history books!
You might also like – 25 Awesome Day Trips from Vancouver
Cypress Provincial Park
The Sea to Sky Corridor begins in West Vancouver, so let’s start here.
Cypress Provincial Park is home to Cypress Mountain, a popular ski area in West Vancouver. It actually hosted events at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. During the summer, Cypress Provincial Park offers a variety of hiking trails for all skill levels. More info about summer trails here .
One of our favourite hikes is the Eagle Bluffs and Black Mountain trail . The trail starts with a steep leg burner that begins at the parking lot at the base of Cypress Mountain. You hike straight up a series of switchbacks beside the downhill ski runs. The trail continues past a few mountain lakes and tall forest before reaching the outstanding views of the Lower Mainland and Georgia Straight from Eagle Bluffs (see the above and below photos).
The Eagle Bluffs hike is approx 9 km round trip with a 350 meter elevation gain. It takes about 4 hours to complete, including a 15 minute break at the viewpoint.
If hiking is not your thing, it’s still worth driving up the mountain to visit the Cypress Mountain Viewpoint. This is one of the best locations to witness panoramic views of Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. On a clear day, you can see the towering Mount Baker in Washington State.
Related – The Best 10 Day Road Trip from Vancouver
Views of Georgia Straight from Eagle Bluffs trail in Cypress Provincial Park.
Summer hiking trails on Cypress Mountain in West Vancouver.
The best view of Vancouver from the Cypress Mountain lookout.
Horseshoe Bay
Horseshoe Bay is the gateway to Howe Sound and the Sunshine Coast.
It’s located on the western tip of West Vancouver and is often considered the starting point for the Sea to Sky Highway, assuming your driving north from Vancouver.
Horseshoe Bay is also the location of the third busiest BC Ferries terminal. If you plan to visit Vancouver Island, Bowen Island or the Sunshine Coast, you will board the ferry at Horseshoe Bay. Because of this, many people overlook Horseshoe Bay as a destination on its own.
Horseshoe Bay is a fun place to have lunch and spend a couple of hours. There are a few restaurants in the village, including the popular Trolls Restaurant (get the Oyster Burger with Clam Chowder). It has a rocky beach with a playground, making it an ideal spot for families.
Whytecliff Park in West Vancouver
While you’re in the neighbourhood, we recommend you visit nearby Whytecliff Park , one of the first Marine Protected Areas in Canada. Whytecliff is not very big, so it’s easy to explore the entire beach park and trails in about an hour or two.
At low tide you can walk across the big rocks to Whyte Islet, pictured below.
Low tide reveals the rocky path to Whyte Islet from Whytecliff Beach Park.
The beach at Whytecliff Park in West Vancouver.
Boat ride around Howe Sound
Howe Sound is surrounded by a network of fjords situated between West Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast. It is the body of water that makes up the ‘SEA’ part of ‘Sea-to-Sky’.
Driving a small speed boat around Howe Sound is a unique way to experience the natural beauty of British Columbia’s south coast. During the summer, you can visit the lazy sea lions that hang out on Pam Rocks. The only way to see visit these rock islands is by boat.
The best place to rent boats is Sewell’s Marina , located in Horseshoe Bay. Renting a boat is relatively inexpensive and you do not need a special boat licence. A standard driver’s license is sufficient. For two hours of personal boat time (usually enough to get to the seal colony and back) it’s about $180 (check rates here ). The boats take between 4 to 6 people.
To visit marine parks and secluded coves that can only be reached by water, it’s best to do the 4-hour rate. If you do, head to Gambier Island or Anvil Island. Don’t forget your swim shorts if the weather is nice.
Porteau Cove Provincial Park
Porteau Cove is a small provincial park in British Columbia (about 50 hectares in size), situated on the most southerly fjord in North America. The park stretches between the shore of Howe Sound and the Sea to Sky Highway. It’s located 20 minutes south of Squamish.
Aside from its rocky beaches and breathtaking mountain views, Porteau Cove’s star attraction the old ferry terminal that’s been converted into a pedestrian pier. Porteau Cove also a popular spot for cold water scuba diving because it has a series of artificial reefs and two sunken ships.
Keep an eye out for the road signs as you approach Porteau Cove while driving north on the Sea to Sky Highway. You will be turning left at the turnoff, so stay in the left lane and watch your speed so you don’t miss the turnoff.
Porteau Cove Olympic Legacy Cabins
If you’re looking for a unique place to stay along the Sea to Sky Highway, check out the Porteau Cove Olympic Legacy Cabins.
These beautiful log cabins got their name because they were initially built for the 2010 Winter Olympics and later relocated to Porteau Cove Provincial Park. The log cabins are a work of art, complete with hand-carvings of bears and beavers.
We’ve stayed at these oceanfront cabins four times over the past five years. Read about our first experience and see photos of the Olympic Legacy Cabins here .
You must make reservations for the Porteau Cove Olympic Legacy Cabins well in advance because there are only two cabins. If you’re the type who likes to make last minute reservations, you will be disappointed because these cabins book up fast. You might have to make reservations up to one year in advance to get a holiday weekend. Check availability and pricing here .
Oceanfront views from the Porteau Cove Olympic Legacy Cabins.
If you can time it properly, try to visit at sunset. The west facing views are incredible.
Enjoying the moment. The beach at the Porteau Cove Provincial Park campground.
The landmark pier at Porteau Cove Provincial Park in British Columbia .
Britannia Mine Museum
The Britannia Mine Museum is one of the most unique things to do along the Sea to Sky Highway.
The Britannia Mine Museum is both a National Historic Site and British Columbia Historic Landmark. It has a fascinating history that dates back to 1904, when it was the largest copper mine in the British Empire.
There are over 210 km’s of mining tunnels in the mountains surrounding Britannia Beach . Think about that for a moment.
We learned that over 60,000 people from 50 countries once lived and worked in this old mining community over the course of its life from 1904 to 1974.
We visited the museum a few years ago, but our boys were still quite young and they didn’t remember the museum. So, given that we’re advised to travel close to home this summer, we thought it would be a fun day trip from Vancouver. Our boys had a great time exploring the underground mine tunnel on the train ride. And, of course, they loved searching for gold and treasures in the gold panning exhibit.
Ticket prices and reservations here . Guests are asked to arrive 15 minutes prior to reservation time. The underground tour is included with admission. Plan to spend 2 hours at the museum.
If you like this attraction, you also like the train museum in Squamish .
The iconic big yellow dump truck at Britannia Mine Museum. If you’ve driven the Sea to Sky Highway, you’ve likely seen this monster truck as you pass through Britannia Beach.
Family selfie on the old train that transports guests through the old mine tunnels.
Rail track inside the old mine tunnel at Britannia Mine Museum.
Inside the historical Mill 3 to watch BOOM!, the newest attraction at Britannia Mine Museum. It’s a fun way to watch the old mill come back to life.
Photo credit – exploresquamish.com
Murrin Provincial Park
Shortly after you pass Britannia Mine Museum, you will approach Murrin Provincial Park (assuming you are driving from Vancouver to Squamish). The turnoff comes up quickly, so you’ll want to reduce your speed and look for a flashing yellow light. You will be turning left.
This little park gets busy on summer weekends because of Browning Lake, which is a very popular swimming lake for weekend crowds. Parking is limited, so you’ll either need to arrive early or pack your patience as you wait in the parking lot for other visitors to leave.
The Murrin Park Loop Trail is a popular hike in the Sea to Sky Corridor. It’s a 2 km loop with an elevation gain of 150 meters. This intermediate hiking trail leads to a viewpoint that offers spectacular views of Howe Sound. The hike takes about 1.5 hours to complete.
Hikers can also access the Petgill Lake trail from the parking lot at Murrin Provincial Park. This 11.5 km hike has an elevation gain of 650 meters and takes about 6 hours to complete. It’s a lesser known hiking trail in the Sea to Sky Corridor, so you’ll find less crowds here.
Related – The Best 10 Day Road Trip from Vancouver
Views of Howe Sound and Squamish from Petgill Lake trail. Notice the Stawamus Chief located in the top right corner of the above photo.
Hiking in the temperate rain forest along the Sea to Sky Highway.
Shannon Falls Provincial Park
Located right beside the Sea to Sky Highway, Shannon Falls Provincial Park is home to the 3rd highest waterfall in British Columbia.
At 335 metres, Shannon Falls is a must visit attraction in the Sea to Sky Corridor. It’s a short 5 minute walk from the parking lot to the base of the waterfalls. The trail is flat with little elevation, so it’s an easy walk to reach the falls.
If you’re looking for a good half-day hike, try the Upper Shannon Falls trail . The trail can also be accessed from the from the Stawamus Chief parking lot. This hike is 7 km and takes about 5 hours to complete. It’s a leg burner that will surely get your heart rate moving.
There are two waterfall viewing platforms, so make sure you visit both to get a different perspective of the waterfall. The waterfall is most impressive during the spring and early summer, when the mountain snow melts and water flow is at its highest. The powerful waters of Shannon Falls originate from Mount Habrich and Mount Sky Pilot.
Parking can be challenging during the summer months, especially on weekends. There is an overflow parking lot on the opposite side of Highway 99 (the Sea to Sky Highway).
Because the waterfalls are easy to access and it doesn’t take long to view them, people come and go frequently. You only need 30 minutes to visit Shannon Falls. Waiting for a parking spot to come free can be frustrating, but parking spots do open if you’re patient.
More info about Shannon Falls Provincial Park here .
Views of Howe Sound from the Upper Shannon Falls trail.
The Upper Shannon Falls hike continues to the Sea to Sky Summit trail. This means you can take the Sea to Sky Gondola back down to the parking lot. Then you walk the short connector trail back to Shannon Falls parking lot.
Stawamus Chief Provincial Park
Located along the Sea to Sky Highway, the Stawamus Chief is one of the largest granite monoliths in the world.
The Stawamus Chief Provincial Park protects the massive 700 metre granite cliffs that tower over the town of Squamish. It’s widely known as one of the best rock climbing spots in Canada.
The Chief is one of the most popular hiking trails along the Sea to Sky Corridor. You access the hiking trails a from the day-use parking lot located on the Sea to Sky Highway. The trails are also accessible from Shannon Falls Provincial Park via the 1.5 km connector trail.
There are three hikes on “The Chief”
First Peak – 1.5 km trail with an elevation gain of 540 metres
Second Peak – 1.7 km trail with an elevation gain of 590 metres
Third Peak – 1.8 km trail with an elevation gain of 630 metres
The above distances are one way. You must also consider your return hike back down. Plan for about 3 to 4 hours to do the Chief. It’s a strenuous hike for many, so bring plenty of water and snacks, wear proper footwear and check the weather conditions prior to your hike.
See the Stawamus Chief trail map here .
Sea to Sky Gondola
The Sea to Sky Gondola has become one of the most popular things to do along the Sea to Sky Highway.
We visited this Squamish attraction shortly after it opened in 2014 (read about our experience here ). The Sea to Sky Gondola transports passengers from the parking lot, located directly beside the Sea to Sky Highway, up the side of steep granite cliffs to the Summit Lodge .
Once you reach the top, you have access to the Summit Lodge Viewing Deck, Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge, several hiking trails and two interpretive loop walking trails with viewing platforms.
The Summit Lodge Viewing Deck offers outstanding views of the blue-green waters of Howe Sound and the lush Squamish Valley. The Chief Overlook Viewing Platform is accessed from the middle of the Panorama Trail and is 800 metres from the Summit Lodge (about a 15 minute walk).
Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge
The dizzying Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge connects the Spirit Trail/Spirit Viewing Platform to the Summit Lodge Viewing Deck. The bridge is approximately 100 metres long and is a must do for anyone visiting the Sea to Sky Gondola.
The Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge and Summit Lodge viewing deck.
Hiking at the Sea to Sky Gondola
Hikers can reach the summit by tackling the challenging Sea To Summit Trail . This leg-burning 7.5 km trail climbs over 900 metres of elevation and takes about 3.5 hours at a moderate pace. Once you reach the Summit Lodge you can take the gondola back down to the parking lot.
Here’s more info about the Sea to Sky Gondola hiking trails. Check out the Sea to Sky Gondola trail map to get a better understanding of the trails. You can also download the trail map app here .
Sea to Sky Gondola parking is free. However, if you plan to visit on a summer weekend, it’s best to arrive early because parking is limited and it gets busy.
View of the Sea to Sky Gondola from the Sea To Summit Trail.
The spectacular mountain views from the observation deck at the Summit Lodge.
This photo is from 7 years ago, when Braydon was only 3 years old. His face is priceless. He was trying to put on a brave face but he wasn’t sure about the wobbly suspension bridge and steep drop on both sides.
Squamish Adventure Centre
Squamish is the self-proclaimed ‘Adventure capital of Canada’ and it’s a great place to stop while exploring the Sea to Sky Corridor. We could easily dedicate an entire blog post about things to do in Squamish.
You can make several day trips from Vancouver to Squamish and still only scratch the surface.
Visit the Squamish Adventure Centre to learn about what to see and do in Squamish. The facility is located on the Sea to Sky highway, just north of the main intersection that leads to downtown Squamish.
If you prefer to get in the water, the Squamish Spit hosts some of the best windsurfing and kite surfing in the Pacific Northwest. There area also dozens of hiking trails and parks, including the family-friendly Four Lakes Trail in Alice Lake Provincial Park, Smoke Bluffs Park loop trail, or the full day Elfin Lakes hike .
For a leisure walk, check out Rose Park near the Squamish Adventure Centre.
Elaho-Squamish and Cheakamus Rivers offer river rafting in Squamish and Whistler.
Rope Runner Aerial Adventure Park
The Rope Runner Aerial Adventure Park is a new attraction in Squamish. It’s located across the street from the Squamish Adventure Centre, just off the Sea to Sky Highway. Get directions here .
The outdoor aerial adventure course features 50 elements of varying difficulties with no set course, so guests can explore at their own pace and comfort level. They use the CLiC-iT Safety System that ensures guests are continuously attached to the safety cable at all times.
Sessions run every 30 minutes from 10:00 AM. The last session starts at 4:30 PM.
Book online to save $5 on admission. Check ticket pricing and passes here .
Check the website here to watch a video about this ropes course.
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Downtown Squamish
While there is an abundance of outdoor adventures to be had on the Sea to Sky Corridor, downtown Squamish should also be added to your list of things to do along the Sea to Sky Highway. The downtown area is 5 minutes from the main Squamish intersection on the Sea to Sky Highway.
The main street in downtown Squamish is Cleveland Avenue. Here you will find coffee shops, boutique retail stores, native art stores, restaurants, the Squamish Public Library, Junction Park & O’Siyam Pavilion and Howe Sound Brewery at the far end.
The Squamish Farmers’ Market is a popular attraction with over 60 vendors selling a variety of local produce, cheese and artisan goods. It’s open on Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The market is a great place to pick up items for a picnic that can be enjoyed at one of the parks in Squamish.
Other Squamish activities include a visit the West Coast Rail Heritage Park, paddling and fishing on Alice Lake , white-water river rafting down the Elaho-Squamish and Cheakamus River, watch Kiteboarders at the Spit, and join a brewery tour at Howe Sound Brewing .
Restaurants in Squamish
Downtown Squamish has several restaurants, so it’s an ideal place to stop for lunch. Popular Squamish restaurants are The Salted Vine, The Copper Coil, Zephyr Cafe, Fergies Cafe and Howe Sound Brew Pub.
You will find most fast food restaurants in Squamish, easily accessed from the Sea to Sky Highway. If you’re looking for a quick bite, there are drive through pick-up windows at the McDonalds, Tim Hortons and A&W. Squamish also has a White Spot, Boston Pizza and Pizza Hut, if you’re looking for a family restaurant.
Above is the outside patio at The Copper Coil in Downtown Squamish.
Family lunch at The Copper Coil with The Chief in the backdrop.
Stan Clarke Park in Downtown Squamish has a playground for kids.
Kids rock climbing wall at Junction Park in downtown Squamish. The Stawamus Chief in the backdrop.
