Earls Cove is a small settlement located on Jervis Inlet

Jervis Inlet

Jervis Inlet is a principal inlet of the British Columbia Coast, about northwest of Vancouver.-Geography:It stretches from its head at the mouth of the short Skwakwa River to its opening into the Strait of Georgia near Texada Island...

 in the Sunshine Coast region of British Columbia

British Columbia

British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...

. It is a terminal for the BC Ferries

BC Ferries

British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. or BC Ferries is a de facto Crown Corporation that provides all major passenger and vehicle ferry services for coastal and island communities in the Canadian province of British Columbia...

 route across the inlet to Saltery Bay, linking the Lower Sunshine Coast with the Upper Sunshine Coast of B.C. Earls Cove is the at the north end of the Sechelt Peninsula

Sechelt Peninsula

The Sechelt Peninsula is located on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, just northwest of Vancouver. It is bounded to the west by Malaspina Strait , to the north by Agamemnon Channel and Jervis Inlet, to the east by Sechelt Inlet , and to the south by the Strait of...

 and on the east side of the mouth of Jervis Inlet

Jervis Inlet

Jervis Inlet is a principal inlet of the British Columbia Coast, about northwest of Vancouver.-Geography:It stretches from its head at the mouth of the short Skwakwa River to its opening into the Strait of Georgia near Texada Island...

, adjacent to Agamemnon Channel

Agamemnon Channel

Agamemnon Channel is a channel or strait in British Columbia, Canada, located at the mouth of Jervis Inlet on the South Coast, separating Nelson Island from the mainland of the Sunshine Coast , The ferry terminal and recreational community of Earls Cove is on the mainland side of the...

, across which is Nelson Island

Nelson Island (British Columbia)

Nelson Island is an island in the Sunshine Coast region of the South Coast region of British Columbia. It is surrounded by Hotham Sound, Agamemnon Channel, and Malaspina Strait. The closest communities are Pender Harbour, British Columbia and Egmont, both on the Sechelt Peninsula.The island is...

.

Name origin

Historically, Earls Cove was named indirectly after an early pioneer of the area, Mr. Earl: the name was officialized in the plural form (rather than the possessive "Earl's") at the request of the community, as there were several families named Earl in the area.

Access and BC Ferries

Earls Cove is accessed by ferry terminal and paved highway. From the Lower Mainland

Lower Mainland

The Lower Mainland is a name commonly applied to the region surrounding and including Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. As of 2007, 2,524,113 people live in the region; sixteen of the province's thirty most populous municipalities are located there.While the term Lower Mainland has been...

, BC Ferries

BC Ferries

British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. or BC Ferries is a de facto Crown Corporation that provides all major passenger and vehicle ferry services for coastal and island communities in the Canadian province of British Columbia...

 provides service from Horseshoe Bay

Horseshoe Bay

There are various places named Horseshoe Bay:*Horseshoe Bay, West Vancouver, British Columbia, a neighbourhood and ferry terminal in West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada*Horseshoe Bay, Queensland, Australia*Horseshoe Bay, New Zealand...

 to Langdale. From Langdale, Highway 101

British Columbia provincial highway 101

Highway 101 is the main north-south thoroughfare on the Sunshine Coast, British Columbia. Highway 101, which first opened in 1962, is divided into two separate land segments, with a ferry link in between. The number of the highway is derived from that of U.S. Route 101, although it does not...

 runs to the end of the Sunshine Coast at the community of Lund

Lund, British Columbia

Lund is a small craft harbour and unincorporated village in Powell River District, British Columbia, Canada. It is located along the northern part of the Strait of Georgia on the mainland BC coast. The main landmark in the village is the Lund Hotel, established in 1905...

; Earls Cove and the ferry from it to Saltery Bay is approximately midway between Langdale and Lund. The trip by ferry from Earls Cove to Saltery Bay takes about 50 minutes. The distance from Vancouver to Earls Cove is 136 kilometers (85 mi). The ferry trip across the mouth of Jervis Inlet

Jervis Inlet

Jervis Inlet is a principal inlet of the British Columbia Coast, about northwest of Vancouver.-Geography:It stretches from its head at the mouth of the short Skwakwa River to its opening into the Strait of Georgia near Texada Island...

 provides passengers with scenery little changed from when Captain George Vancouver explored the area in 1792.

Climate

The Sunshine Coast lives up to its name - generally winters are mild and wet, and the summers drier than many other coastal areas. Average temperatures range from 4°C (39°F) in January to 18°C (64°F) in July. Average rainfall is about 100 cm (39 in); mild weather patterns mean that snowfall in the area is very light. The temperate climate has made this a popular area for retirees and vacationers looking for outdoor recreational opportunities of all sorts.

Attractions

In terms of attractions, Nearby Sakinaw and Ruby Lakes are noted for their trout fishing in season, they are also freshwater havens for canoers and kayakers. Other attractions include Ruby Lake Lagoon which is home to over 80 species of birds, as well as other animals. Wildlife watchers can observe Wood Duck, painted turtles, beavers, otters, elk, deer and bears. The northern terminus of the Suncoaster Trail, a 33 km (21 mi) trail popular with hikers and bikers, is at Klein Lake, just east of Earls Cove. NIHO strongly recommends before attempting any hike in this region you first purchase a hiking guide from a local bookstore. There are several Provincial Parks in the area, including Musket Island Marine Park. Ambrose Lake Ecological Reserve preserves a small coastal lake, adjacent bogland, and surrounding forest, and is open to the public for non-destructive pursuits like hiking, nature observation and photography.