Top Vancouver On the Water

Get access to British Columbia's best dive sites with this boat trip from Horseshoe Bay. Choose to dive or simply ride along to enjoy the mountain scenery. Divers will see pinnacles, canyons, sponge bioherms, wolf eels, Pacific Octopus, and seals that make their home in Howe Sound. 

Splash through the rapids of the Cheakamus River, paddling gentle waves between towering evergreens, on a full-day combination trip from Vancouver. You’ll travel past British Colombia’s coastal forests on the way to the river, then change into dry clothes for the Sea to Sky Gondola, where you’ll have views across Howe Sound and the mountains. This adventurous, family-friendly day is a good fit for first-time rafters, and it includes your tickets to the Sky to Sea Gondola, as well as round-trip transport from selected hotels in Vancouver.

Scout for an incredible array of marine life during this half-day Vancouver whale watching cruise. Join a professional naturalist on board a modern boat as you search for creatures including orcas, seals, porpoises, and eagles. The waters for your cruise are renowned for attracting whales, offering an up to 90% success rate with sightings. Best of all, enjoy spectacular scenery set amidst the Gulf and San Juan Islands. Your whale watching trip from Vancouver includes round-trip transport from your hotel, plus bottled water and snacks.

Watch for orca, gray and humpback whales on a full-day wildlife safari from Vancouver on a comfortable, covered boat. Learn about the whales’ lives, behavior and migration patterns from a trained naturalist, and try to spot the dolphins, seals, sea lions and bald eagles that thrive along the Pacific Coast. Whales are sighted on 85% of trips.

Make the most of your time in breathtaking British Columbia with an unforgettable 2-hour Howe Sound Sea Safari! Choose from three different routes and hope aboard a 30-ft (10-m) custom, high-speed boat, to view stunning natural attractions like the cliffs of Anvil Island, cheeky seals at Pam Rocks and the Bowen Island caves. Get out of the city and experience the splendor of Horseshoe Bay and the Strait of Georgia. Great for ages five and up!

Experience Vancouver sights by water on this 3-hour zodiac-boat tour from Granville Island. Cross False Creek and admire Siwash Rock, an iconic stone spire located near the Lion’s Gate Bridge. In Vancouver Harbour, learn about the waterfront landmarks. Venture into Deep Cove and the glacial fjord of the Indian Arm, for incredible views of granite cliffs that you can only see by boat. Capture the beauty of Granite Falls and Silver Falls before heading back.

This whale-watching adventure from downtown Vancouver gives you the chance to see whales and other marine life. Hop aboard the 'Salish Sea Dream' our 80-foot flagship catamaran, and keep your eyes peeled from one of several viewing areas.. Learn about the local history and geology from knowledgeable crew on board, and soak up views of the Gulf Islands, San Juan Islands, and Howe Sound.

See Vancouver's dramatic skyline from the water on a small-group cruise in an inflatable Zodiac boat that accommodates 12 passengers. You'll navigate Vancouver Harbour, Burrard Inlet, English Bay, and False Creek, spotting some of the city's top sites and landmarks along the way. And since Vancouver Harbour is home to bald eagles, harbor seals, and dolphins, keep your camera ready and watch for wildlife as you hit speeds up to 30 mph (48 kph).

Amp up your Vancouver vacation with a thrilling 3.5-hour jet ski tour of Howe Sound and dinner at a waterside pub! Delight in lovely evening views of English Bay, Howe Sound and Bowen Island as you rip up the water on your single or double Sea-Doo Watercraft. You’ll see native wildlife, view breathtaking coastal scenery, and savor a hearty dinner and drink on Bowen Island before heading back to the mainland.

Take a sea safari around the islands of Howe Sound. This is your opportunity to see the rugged coastlines and mountains and spot local wildlife. Seals, sea lions, bald eagles and more call this area home. There will be a stop at Snug Harbour where you have the choice of disembarking to tour the charming shops and cafes (return at your leisure via ferry) or stay on the boat to return with the tour.

Torn between a day of city sightseeing and nature excursions? Do it all on this full-day tour of Victoria! From Vancouver, cruise the Strait of Georgia for some epic whale-watching, take a self-guided tour of Victoria and soak up the perfumed beauty of Butchart Gardens! At the end of your full day, relax and take in stunning coastal mountain views as you cruise back to Vancouver at dusk.

Cruise from Vancouver to Victoria and discover native Canadian wildlife in its natural habitat on this 4-hour one-way whale-watching cruise. Hop aboard your cruise boat in Vancouver’s Coal Harbour. Take your seat on board or stand out on deck, and head out onto the waves with your guide. Enjoy panoramic views over the local islands and watch the waters for graceful whales, seals, porpoises and sea lions. Listen as your naturalist guide explains the creatures’ feeding habits and life cycles, and arrive into Victoria ready to enjoy your stay!

Explore the waters near West Vancouver with this 17-foot speedboat rental, and make your way through Howe Sound at a pace that suits your family and friends. Admire city views, a seal colony or a bird sanctuary, and stop at an island for homemade pie. Watch for wildlife such as humpbacks and orcas. Dockside staff show you how to operate the boat and provide a map and suggested routes. Upgrade to include hotel shuttle transport. Note: The rental price is per boat, which accommodates up to five people.

Join an entertaining pirate-themed cruise from Vancouver’s Granville Island. This 75-minute interactive experience is perfect for the entire family. Set sail for False Creek with an expert crew that welcomes you aboard with a pirate name and costume — plus face painting for the kids — that will have you immersed in the world of the buccaneer. Ahoy Mate!

The rivers of British Columbia are known for their excellent big-game fishing, but arranging a fishing trip takes a lot of planning. With this organized sturgeon fishing tour from Vancouver, all necessary equipment, licenses, and transport is provided—as well as a barbecue lunch and a guide—leaving you free to focus on hauling in your catch.

Explore beautiful downtown Vancouver from the water in our luxurious pontoon boat! Have a BBQ and enjoy the pristine waters around Vancouver on your own private boat. Skipper yourself or book one of our experienced captains so you can sit back and relax.

Leave the bustle of Vancouver for an evening on the water with the local wildlife for company. The rigid inflatable watercraft provides a comfortable ride as you circle the sound, located beside one of the southernmost fjords north of the equator. The tour takes you around many of the islands of Howe Sound, and gives you views of wild life in their natural habitat.

Explore beautiful downtown Vancouver from the water in our luxurious pontoon boat! Have a BBQ and enjoy the pristine waters around Vancouver on your own private boat. Skipper yourself or book one of our experienced captains so you can sit back and relax.

We value the richness of traveling through our environment self propelled. Wild Root Journeys offers guides with experience and heart. We are certified through the Sea Kayak Guide Alliance of BC, with ongoing first aid and skills training. This fjord is an oasis of nature so close to Vancouver that makes you just feel away from it all for the day. Come and recharge and take in the city from a totally new vantage and lets see what and who will reveal itself. We often come across many species of sea stars, the curious seal, eagles, herons and the more rare Orca whale.

Delight in the beauty of Vancouver on a lunch cruise along the city’s gorgeous waterfront. Enjoy a unique dining experience as your float through Vancouver’s Inner Harbor, Burrard Inlet, and Indian Arm—a dramatic glacial fjord. Stroll the deck, indulge in a freshly prepared buffet and take in the beautiful sights including the Coast Mountains, verdant forests, and local wildlife.

Experience a group of orca whales in their natural habitat and stroll through the old fishing village of Steveston, where time seems to have stopped. Additionally on request: dinner in one of the good fish restaurants directly at the pier in Steveston. On the way there we also visit the vanDusen Botanical Garden, one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the world The drive to Steveston is approximately 1 hour from downtown Vancouver. However, the whale watching here is better by classes (90% success rate) than directly in Vancouver. Please note that the boat tour itself is not included in the price. Minimum number of people per booking: 2

Enjoy the exquisite waterfront views of Canada's premier West Coast city on a leisurely Vancouver Harbor sightseeing cruise. Travel past landmarks sites such as world-renowned Stanley Park and the city's rejuvenated Gastown district, marvel at the incredible North Shore Mountains from atop an open-air deck, and admire the stunning Lions' Gate Bridge while sipping a cocktail (own expense) from the onboard bar. 

Looking for an enchanting and unusual way to spend an evening in Vancouver? Take a leisurely dinner cruise along the city’s gorgeous waterfront. Listen to live music and savor delicious Pacific Coast-style cuisine as you float through Vancouver’s Inner Harbor. Stroll the deck at sunset, indulge in a freshly prepared buffet, and take in the beautiful sights including Canada Place, the North Shore Mountains and the West Vancouver skyline after dusk.

Learn what makes Vancouver so spectacular as you sail past Coal Harbour, Stanley Park, and the port on a 10-passenger vessel. Glide over the water aboard an electric boat, which creates zero air and water pollution. The ultra-quiet motor lets you hear the captain’s narration during this informative eco-cruise. Enjoy stunning views of North Shore mountains and the Vancouver city skyline.