|

Great boat day trips from Vancouver

If you’re a local trying to experience something new or a tourist in Vancouver looking to experience the epic nature outside of the city, then read on to learn more about an amazing boat trip option available from Vancouver Water Adventures.

A city skyline with modern high-rise buildings seen from the water under a clear blue sky, with boats docked along the waterfront.
Leaving Granville Island.

Why book a boat day trip?

There’s nothing like seeing English Bay and Howe Sound from the water to appreciate the gorgeous mountains from a new angle and the secluded islands. Even as a local, to get up close to the freighters, spot porpoises popping up in the water and get close to islands that otherwise are difficult to access in Howe Sound gave me a unique perspective and appreciation for this place. Plus, it was fun – if you’ve never been on a zodiac, it’s a safe but fast and exhilarating way to travel over water.

Two men in red suits stand near a blue inflatable boat labeled PEARL OF THE OCEAN docked at a marina with other boats and kayaks.
The zodiac boat used for tours with Vancouver Water Adventures.

Why book with Vancouver Water Adventures?

Vancouver Water Adventures offers a number of different boat trip tours, and has been operating since 2009. They have an impressive fleet of various watersports gear (like jetskis, paddleboards, and kayaks), and offer various boat tours if you want to see the sights without getting wet. Their guides and boat drivers have multiple certifications and offer valuable insights throughout the tour.

What’s the tour like?

Departure Point

You start at Granville Island. Make sure to allow for ample time for parking as it can be limited. Check in at the office and then get suited up in a special suit for both flotation and warmth. I originally didn’t think I’d need to wear it but I’m so glad I did as even on a bright 20 degree C sunny day it was a little chilly when going at 50 km/hr!

A person stands outside with arms outstretched, wearing an oversized red and gray suit, near a building and boats in the background.
Suited Up
Bright orange and gray insulated suits hang on metal racks in a room with wooden floors and windows in the background.
Water suits

What to Expect

Five people in red jackets sit on a blue boat on a calm body of water, with forested mountains in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
On the zodiac.

The boats offer comfortable, shock absorbant seats and have surround sound speakers so you can enjoy some great music while traveling at high speeds. There is no washroom on the boat, so make sure you use the facilities before departing.

Stops along the way

Lighthouse park

One of the first stops on the tour was Lighthouse Park, where the actual best view of the lighthouse is from the water. We learned about the World War II history of the area from our knowledgeable boat driver.

White lighthouse with red accents stands on rocky shore next to a small white building, surrounded by trees under a partly cloudy sky.
Lighthouse Park.

Panoramic Views of the North Shore

As we cruised from Lighthouse Park, passing Whytcliff Park, the mountains of the North Shore came into view. It was a gorgeously clear day, and you could see every angle of the primary peaks like Mt. Brunswick, The Lions, and St. Marks.

View of forested mountains with clouds above, under a partly cloudy sky, seen from across a calm body of water.
North shore mountains.

Circumnavigating Anvil Island

Next we skirted around Boyer Island and then Anvil Island, both barely inhabited natural islands in the middle of Howe Sound. I loved how close we were able to get to appreicate the steep cliffs where fixed ropes from rock climbers were visible. It’s nearly impossible to visit these islands without private watercraft. Especially on the far west side of the island, it felt thousands of miles away from civilization, instead of the mere 10km or so.

Bird and Seal Sanctuary

A rocky island with a lighthouse sits in calm water, with forested mountains and a partly cloudy sky in the background.
Seals hiding out on rocks from whales at Christie Islet Migratory Bird Sanctuary.

We stopped at the Christie Islet Migratory Bird Sanctuary in the middle of the Sound, which is home to many seal colonies and migrating birds. No humans are allowed on the island, but we were able to get close enough to appreciate the seals warming themselves on the rocks and swimming around the island.

Brittania Mine

We stopped close to the Brittania Mine, which is not a site I would ever have expected to view from the water. From that angle, you can really appreciate the architecture of the mine. Our guide also shared the history of mining in BC so we could appreciate it’s role in the history of development in the area.

A stepped white building sits on a forested hillside near water, with mountains and blue sky in the background.
Brittania Mine on the right.

Lunch Break on Bowen Island

After cruising around the sound for 2 hours, enjoying the gorgeous views, we pulled into the harbour at Snug Cove for an hour break. We headed over to the Bowen Island Pub to grab some beers and a quick lunch in the sun. Snug Cove is a cute hamlet with a few restaurants, bars and ice cream. As part of the tour, you are provided with a voucher for a beer, coffee or ice cream at a few of the restaurants on the island. If you don’t want to eat a full lunch, you can lounge in the marina area in adirondack chairs perched over the water, and watch the ferry come and go. It was a very relaxing time and gave a nice preview into life on sleepy Bowen Island.

Two plastic cups of light-colored beer on a table with a rewards card offering various food and drink options in front of them.
Drinks voucher
A green marina building with flags, a balcony, and a lawn in front, surrounded by trees under a blue sky.
Snug Cove
A table with a burger, salad, fish and chips, glasses of beer and water; a person in blue shirt is using a phone.
Delicious lunch at Bowen Island Pub

The Return Journey

The return trip to Granville Island is just as exciting as the outbound journey. We got an up close view of some of the freighters as we sped back to False Creek.

A large red cargo ship named ERINI MANDI is floating on calm water under a clear blue sky.
Speeding by freighters.

This was a great day out on the water – definitely consider booking with Vancouver Water Adventures if you want a unique perspective on the gorgeous landscape around Vancouver. They also offer boat tours that include dinner (a more extended version) on Bowen Island, or to Granite Falls.

Rebecca runs The Adventure Beckons, a travel and outdoor adventure blog based in Vancouver, British Columbia. As an experienced traveler to over 40 countries and counting, she provides her readers with practical travel itineraries from day trips to multi-week adventures. She strives to balance nature and hiking with the must-see tourist highlights that are genuinely worth your time and money.

Related Posts

Leave a Reply