I love a holiday where the travel itself is part of the adventure. The Sunshine Coast is a special place that requires you get out of your normal routine. How many places do you go that require you to travel by air or by boat? As soon as that ferry pulls away from the dock or that float plane takes off, your holiday is underway. Take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy the view.

Here in Canada, our low-key nature tends to understate things by calling our bodies of water “inlets” and “sounds”. Anywhere else in the world, Howe Sound would be described as a majestic fjord on the Pacific Ocean. Glaciers carved these inlets and sounds at the end of the last ice age where the water is as almost as deep as the Coast Mountains are high. Snow caps these striking mountains 10 or 11 months out of the year adding to the visual effect. Green and blue are the colours of life and the green forest of Douglas fir, hemlock and cedar cover the mountains like a warm blanket all year long. On a sunny day, the water is the deepest shade of blue surrounded by a bright blue sky. Yes, we do believe we’ve moved to paradise.

Take the time to go outside on the upper deck of your ferry and smell the salt air. Watch for signs of marine life. Pacific White-Sided dolphins, Dall’s porpoises, orca and grey whales all visit Howe Sound from time to time. Harbour seals and river otters live here in abundance. Bald eagles and blue herons feed here regularly as do many other sea birds.

Before you know it, you’re here. Only a 40 minutes sailing from West Vancouver or a 15 minute float plane from downtown Vancouver. Come by car, bike or on foot. Arcturus Retreat B&B is located 1km from the Langdale Ferry Terminal. Come relax on your private balcony and enjoy the view.