Shack by the Sea - Ocean Beach House Views of Vancouver Island
House • Sechelt BC Canada
6 Guests
3 Bedrooms
1 Bathroom
Pets welcome
Secondary home
Exchange types accepted
Simultaneous
Non-Simultaneous
Non-Reciprocal
Hospitality
Statistics
Listed September 2025
Views 325
General Overview
The Shack by the Sea (est. 2017) is a place to gather that's charming and unfussy. It's about recreating those amazing memories that happen when birds announce breathtaking sunrises, laughter echoes off the water during swims and paddles, waves provide the background music for afternoon naps, simple meals taken outdoors taste extra good, skies light up the clouds for spectacular sunsets, evenings are lit by the stars and sleep is so so good.
We share this place with resident seals, sea otters, herons, eagles and cormorants. The Trail Islands provide a great zone for water activities that we also share with occasional visits from tugboats that overnight with their logs lined up like a train, small boats, other paddlers, the Coast Guard, passing float planes and on our luckiest of days... Orcas, Grey Whales and Dolphins.
The Shack (as we affectionately call it) is actually a 3 bedroom home that was built in West Vancouver the 1950s and barged to this spot in the 70s. Sechelt is a community of about 11,000 with quaint shops, restaurants and services just a 5 minute drive away.
The Space
The beach house 121 sq. m. (1,300 sq. ft.) and deck 46 sq. m. (500 sq. ft.) are on one level. The living/dining room has a gas fireplace and TV on one side and views of the ocean on the other. The kitchen is quirky but sizeable enough for gathering around the island and equipped well for any hobby chef. There are 3 bedrooms (King, Queen and Twin XL w TV) and a full bathroom with tub/shower. A stacking washer/dryer and utility sink share a little room with some desk space and views of the garden.
The deck includes an area for dining, lounging (2 loungers) with 2 umbrellas (seasonal) and a covered/enclosed seating area that has two glass walls that can be opened or closed to suit the conditions so it can be enjoyed all year round. There are 3 sets of speakers (kitchen, living room, deck) for playing music via Sonos system. There is a separate studio/storage on the property that is not accessible.
Guest Access
There is one set of stairs from the parking level to the front and another set of stairs to the side door of the house. The deck and the glass gazebo are located on the same level as the house. The grassy area between the house and the beach can be reached from the deck using 4 steps that span the width of the deck. The beach is accessible from the grassy area by taking 4-5 steps down a series of large rocks 'steps'.
Notes
There are beach toys and water shoes, plus an outdoor shower wand with hot and cold water for showering off after a day at the beach. There's a selection of games, puzzles, crafts for all ages. We've assembled a variety of local information for guests, including some wonderful water-resistant photo guidebook for identifying local seashells, seaweed, mushrooms, rocks, etc. Our collection of reference books is always 'growing.' If you're curious about the history of Sechelt, The Coast, British Columbia, or ocean ecosystems, trails, native plants and animals and related topics, you'll find something here.
Features
Washer
Dishwasher
Clothes dryer
Oven
Microwave
Coffee machine
Fridge
Iron
Hair dryer
Heating
Air conditioning
TV
WiFi
High Speed Internet
Bathtub
First aid kit
Wheelchair accessible
Smoke alarms
Fire extinguisher
Bed sheets
Towels
Workspace
Fireplace
Home cinema
Toys
Gym
Sauna
BBQ
Pool
Hot tub
Balcony
Garden / yard
Deck / patio / courtyard / terrace
Covered porch / verandah
Kosher home
Meat-free kitchen
Gated community
EV Home Charger
Bikes
Camping gear
Kayak
Tennis court
Standup paddleboard
Travel Styles
Long term
Weekend
Adventure
Family
Romantic
Foodie
Relaxing
Eco
Village
Mountains
Beach
Water
Culture
Hiking
Cycling
Last minute
Golf
Cross-country skiing
Accessibility
Single level
Accessible tap hardware
Accessible windows
Handheld shower
House Rules
Suitable for infants under 2
Suitable for children ages 2-12
Pets welcome
No smoking
Allergens
Smoke free
Dates of Availability
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Neighbourhood
Sechelt is the largest population centre in the heart of the Sunshine Coast with a population of 10,216 (2016, BC Stats). Nestled between the Salish Sea and Sechelt Inlet, Sechelt is located about 30 km north from the ferry terminal that connects the Sunshine Coast to the Lower Mainland (Vancouver area). It's not an island but a 40-min car ferry is needed to get here because of the fiords and rugged coastline.
Famous for its relaxed seaside vibe, “The Coast”, as locals call it, is renowned for the tremendous outdoor recreation opportunities. There are hundreds of kilometers of well-maintained trails that are used in all four seasons, an enviable network of mountain bike trails (including part of the BC Bike Race), golfing, cross-country skiing, and endless water recreation including kayaking, paddle boarding and diving.
As well, the Sunshine Coast has more artists per capita than anywhere else in Canada. Many studios can be visited throughout the year and a popular 3-day art crawl in October when about 200 artists open their studios. There's a wonderful farmers market with in season produce, baking, makers and food every Saturday between mid May and mid October. A series of craft breweries and cider makers to check out on the coast. Many offer outdoor spaces and great sharable eats.
Getting to my home
From Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver, take a 40 minute car-ferry ride through small islands of Howe Sound to the ferry terminal in Langdale. We're a 30 minute drive from there and you'll pass through the town of Sechelt just 5 minutes before reaching our place.
Nearest airport
Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
It is located about 60 minutes from Horseshoe Bay, West Vancouver, where we catch the car/ferry to the Sunshine Coast.
Small local airports:
Sechelt Airport (YHS) is a regional airport with a paved runway and offers fuel services, supporting local businesses, tourism, and healthcare by providing air travel options for residents, visitors, and essential supplies. For those arriving by seaplane, the Harbour Air Sechelt base serves as another water-based access point to the area. Both of these airports are 15 minutes away. Harbour Air operates a service from the south terminal at YVR to Sechelt year round. In summer, Harbour Air offers flights from Sechelt to Coal Harbour (downtown Vancouver) and back, if you're looking for a special excursion to get there.
Getting Around
There is public transit from YVR to Horseshoe Bay where you can be a foot passenger on the car/ferry, and a transit bus from the ferry terminal to Sechelt.
There is also a bus stop that's a 5 minute walk from the beach house. That bus travels to Sechelt in 5-7 minutes, according to a daily schedule that's limited.
However, we recommend having a vehicle to fully explore the Sunshine Coast and access various sights and activities that cannot be reached by public transit.
Map of Approximate Location
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People Like Us Local Guide
I'm happy to provide orientation to hiking trails, the artist community, shops, restaurants and local events
Feedback
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"We're looking for 2 or 3 exchanges; each for 2 weeks if possible. We're open to discuss!"
Dates Flexible
Dates Flexible
1 Nov 2026 - 20 Dec 2026 (Flexible)
"Looking for 2 or 3 exchanges; each for 2 weeks, if possible. Open to discuss!"
Dates Flexible
Dates Flexible
Dates Flexible
People Like Us is the world's most trusted home exchange community. We believe in sharing, trust, generosity, respect, communication, equality, cooperation, honesty, hospitality, friendship, flexibility and adventure. We take pride in our homes and we care about the environment in which we live: our village, city, country and our planet. We care about the ethos of home exchange and we do it because we love the experience and the friendships that it generates.
Catch sunrises and sunsets from the south-facing property with views of the Trail Islands and Vancouver Island.
Two sea kayaks (and gear) available for exploring wildlife around the Trail Islands.
Two paddleboards available.
Easy access to the water
Enjoy the outdoor space adjacent to the beach for games. We have a bocce set available.
Corn hole game for fun times after a day exploring the beach, or sightseeing. If this is new to you, it's a bean bag toss game that's great for all ages.
Our home is pet friendly.
Rocks arranged as steps from the lawn to the beach. The Trail Islands a short paddle away. There are homes on each of these and a small collection of rock outcrops nearby that seals have made their home.
Sunrise with views of nearby Davis Bay and distant views on the horizon of the Olympic Mountains and Mount Baker.
The Trail Islands
Explore the shoreline of logs, driftwood, pebbles and sea glass treasures that's constantly changing with the tides.
Sunset with views of Parksville and the mountains on Vancouver Island.
Beach combing.
Catch the sunrise from the kitchen window, deck or bring your coffee to enjoy from these chairs to be immersed in the sights and sounds of the ocean as the you, and the day awaken.
When there is no campfire ban in place, beach fires are permitted. This is usually during the late Fall, Winter and early Spring.
Evening skies light up with the moon and stars.
Covered seating area on the deck with a gas fire bowl and two glass walls that can slide open or closed to suit the conditions.
The house was built in the 1950s and barged from West Vancouver to this site in 1976.
The Trail Islands at sunset.
46 sq. metre (500 sq. ft.) deck for outdoor dining (shown here), lounging and covered seating.
Living room with picture window, fireplace, Sonos speaker sound system and TV
Gas fireplace with temperature control.
Dining room seating for 8-10 people.
Cozy, comfortable seating with a gas fireplace and TV in the living room. Board games, puzzles, crafts and books available for all ages.
Entry hall from the garden.
This island is the heart of our kitchen where we gather around for food prep or appetizers. Standing, or sitting on stools (4).
Kitchen (original) and updated with a dishwasher, gas stove and island for prep and gatherings.
Twin XL bedroom with a view of the garden and a TV
King bedroom with a peek-a-boo view of the ocean.
Queen bedroom with a garden view
Bathroom with vintage tub with modern shower.
Laundry Room
A small workspace with a garden view is located in the little laundry room opposite the washer/dryer.
Nearby trails offer hundreds of kilometres for hiking and mountain biking and include old growth trees, native plants and wildlife.
Views of Garden Bay from the trail to Mount Daniel.
Views of the Sunshine Coast from the trail to Mount Hallowell.
Winters are typically mild, by Canadian standards but we do sometimes get snow in December or January. Nearby, at higher altitudes, there's snow for the winter that supports cross-country skiing at Dakota Ridge.