Because many businesses vital to the Sunshine Coast have located in Sechelt, it is known as "The Heart of the Sunshine Coast". At one time, the isthmus between Sechelt Inlet and Strait of Georgia was the entire community of Sechelt. Now, through referendum, Sechelt's borders have expanded, giving the community the longest coastline on the Sunshine Coast.
Sechelt is home to the Sechelt Nation's impressive cultural centre, the House of Hewhiwus (House of Chiefs). The centre houses band government, an Art Centre Gallery, totem poles, theatre and museum.
The isthmus at Sechelt, only about 1 km at its narrowest, is all that prevent the entire Sechelt Peninsula from being an island.