Paddle into Powell River

Powell River, B.C., has some awesome watery places to explore

Located on the upper end of the Sunshine Coast, Powell River is a great place to get out on the water or hike alongside it. Here are some of the best water features Powell River has to offer.

Willingdon Beach Trail combines ocean views with historical artifacts. This easy walking path goes right along the ocean, and has several old logging machines along its length, such as a Sidewinder and Steam Donkey. These were last used back in Powell River’s logging town days. This trail can be traversed by bike or on foot.

Inland Lake Provincial Park was once a Forest Service Recreation area, but is now open to the public as a provincial park. This lake is a prime spot for swimming, fishing, boating and cycling. The lake has a 13-kilometre, wheelchair-accessible biking and walking trail around its edge.

Copeland Islands Marine Provincial Park is an excellent destination for kayakers, canoers and boaters because of its proximity to Lund and Desolation Sound. Desolation Sound Marine Provincial Park has more than 60 kilometres of shoreline, many islands to explore, and the surrounding waters are warm, making it a perfect location for swimming and scuba diving.

Duck Lake Protected Area is surrounded by nine kilometres of hiking and mountain biking trails. While the shoreline of the lake is rocky, swimming is still available, in addition to fishing and canoeing.

The newly sunk, artificial reef YOGN-86 (a concrete wartime vessel built in the early 1940s) is a recent addition to the Powell River waterway. It was originally on display to the public as part of Powell River’s breakwater seascape, but after the recent purchase of the vessel by the artificial reef society, only scuba divers can explore the ship.

For more information about the Powell River area and all that its water has to offer, visit the city’s website.