Transportation: Boat Trips around Vancouver

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Vancouver’s location at the edge of the ocean makes visitors (and residents) want to cozy up to the water. You don’t have to take a cruise to Alaska or Mexico or own a large yacht to enjoy the breezy salt water and the wide open view from the water. Here are some suggestions for boating excursions in a variety of price ranges.

The least expensive boat ride, and with the most impressive view is the SeaBus, which leaves from the downtown Waterfront station, and ends up in North Vancouver’s Lonsdale Quay. You get a spectacular view of Vancouver’s harbourfront, Stanley Park, North Vancouver’s coastal mountains (you might even see snow on the top of Grouse Mountain), the Lions Gate Bridge and the freighters sitting out in English Bay. Wander around the quaint shops in the Market and then head back! The cost is $1.60 per leg (the first leg is free is you use a valid transfer from the SkyTrain!)

The most fun boat rides in all of Vancouver would have to be the colorful Aquabus ferries, which navigate up and down False Creek, connecting Granville Island Market to downtown and the Science World sphere. These cute little boats with multi-colored canopies run all day, every few minutes. Board at the dock alongside Granville Island food court. Round trip fare ranges from $3 to $7 depending on the trip.

If you want great scenery and a bit of narration, take the one-hour cruise around Vancouver harbour and English Bay aboard the paddlewheeler MPV Constitution (cost about $16). The Constitution is a large vessel and provides guests with both a lounge and dining room. The Constitution departs daily at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. from the pier at the north foot of Denman Street. Reservations are not necessary if you arrive 20 minutes before departure time.

If you want to see a bit of the Sunshine Coast, Alpine Adventure Tours offers a day trip aboard the three-deck MV Britannia. This excursion takes you up the coast to the town of Squamish, where you can sight-see for the afternoon. In the evening, you return on the legendary steam train, Royal Hudson. Round trip for this excursion is $89 for adults, $83 for seniors and youths and $58 for children, and each includes dinner on the Royal Hudson. The Britannia departs from its Coal Harbour pier (next to the Westin Bayshore Hotel, downtown) at 9:30 a.m. and the train arrives back at the North Vancouver BC Rail terminal at 9:30 p.m.

If you want to splurge, Westin Bayshore Yacht Charters offer a luxury yacht for a four-hour cruise around Burrard Inlet, Indian Arm, False Creek and Howe Sound. The yachts range in size from 42 to 115 feet long and are professionally skippered. The yachts start at $440 (for four passengers). Food and refreshments are available (at additional cost), and you can have a catered gourmet barbecue dinner onboard. Call one day ahead for reservations, with departures around either noon or 4 p.m. Yachts depart from the pier at the Westin Bayshore Hotel, at the north foot of Denman Street.