Lund (British Columbia)

History

Lund was named by brothers Frederick and Charles Thulin, who came from Tryserum near Valdemarsvik, Sweden. When they settled at the harbour in December 1889, they named it after Lund, Sweden, because it was Swedish and fairly easy for non-Scandinavians to pronounce. When they arrived, there were native homes around the harbour The Thulins built a store and in 1892 a post office was added, followed by the first licensed hotel north of Vancouver two years later. Logging and fishing were the source of income in the early years. Transportation was by water. A second hotel, called the Malaspina, was built by the Thulins. When the original hotel was destroyed by a forest fire in 1918, the newer hotel, which continues to operate in the village, was renamed the Lund Hotel. A paved road leading south to Vancouver was completed in 1954 and coastal steamer service ended two years later. The original wharf built by the Thulins was damaged by a storm in 1954 and replaced by a government wharf.

The main way in (and out) of town is Highway 101 (Sunshine Coast Highway). Powell River is 22 kilometres (14 mi) south by road, from where BC Ferries offers service to Comox on Vancouver Island to the west across the Strait of Georgia.
Transportation is also available from Powell River by private aircraft or scheduled service with Pacific Coastal Airlines, which offers half-hour flights to Vancouver.
Road access to Vancouver to the south involves two ferry crossings of fjords along the Sunshine Coast. From Vancouver, it will take about 5-6 hours, depending on the wait time at the ferries.
If you have a boat, moorage is available.

The townsite is small and can be covered by foot. A car or boat will be needed to get to some outlying attractions, restaurants, etc.

By water taxi

If you want to go to one of the islands or be dropped off somewhere around Desolation Sound for hiking, kayaking, etc., a water taxi is an easy option.

• Lund Water Taxi

  phone: +1 604-483-9749
  Provides transport to various islands in the Lund region. Also offers a bicycle and kayak transfer service.

• Savary Island is an island near Lund. It is unique ecologically for the area as it's like a migrating sandbar with beaches along the shore and forests in the middle. The sandy beaches, plus the (relatively) warmer waters, have earned it the nickname of "Hawaii of the North". There are some hiking and snorkeling opportunities and it's a good place just to hang out on the beach and relax. There are some amenities (general store, accommodation) from mid-May to early-September, but if you travel there at other times, be sure to bring your own supplies. Lund Water Taxi provides transport to and from the island; return trip is $20/person.

• Hike
• Boat cruises (tour or fishing)
• Rent a kayak

• Boardwalk Restaurant

  phone: +1 604-483-2201
  address: above the marina at Lund Harbour
  Lunch and dinner with an emphasis on fresh local seafood.

• Laughing Oyster

  phone: +1 604-483-9775
  address: 10052 Malaspina Rd
  Seafood and meat dishes overlooking the water.

• Nancy's Bakery

  phone: +1 604-483-4180
  address: 1451 Lund Highway
  Breakfast, lunch and baked goods.

• Lund Hotel Pub

  phone: +1 604-414-0478
  address: end of the highway
  Good food and drinks with a patio that overlooks Lund Harbour and nearby islands.

• Desolation Sound Resort

  phone: +1 604-483-3592
  address: 2694 Dawson Rd
  Cabins set amid the forest overlooking Okeover Arm.

• Lund Hotel

  phone: +1 604-414-0474
  address: end of the highway, near the marina
  Offers Standard, Deluxe and Superior rooms. Deluxe rooms come with harbour views and complimentary wireless Internet.

• Sunlund By-the-Sea

  phone: +1 604-483-9220
  address: 1496 Murray Rd
  Campground and cabins with spots for motorhomes, trailers and tents. Facilities include washrooms, showers and laundromat and all sites have an electrical outlet and waste drain. Campground open May-Sept, cabins available year round (by reservation only outside of summer).

Lund is quite literally the end of the road or the very beginning depending which direction you want to go. Lund is mile zero for Highway 101 that runs through the United States to Chile. Your options for getting out are to retrace your path to Vancouver or go to Powell River and take the ferry to Comox on Vancouver Island.