Kayaking & Canoeing
Family kayaking (Dave Heath photo)
Canoeing and kayaking in and near Vancouver provides a new perspective on the city's blend of urban and natural beauty.
From a watercraft, Vancouver's cityscape is nearly always framed by surrounding mountains and ocean. Vancouver's downtown core and the famous Stanley Park share a peninsula bordered by two prime ocean kayaking locations.
To the west is English Bay, part of the Pacific Ocean's Strait of Georgia, and directly to the south is False Creek – "false" because it is actually a protected inlet that extends from English Bay, dividing downtown Vancouver from the rest of the city to the south.
Just thirty minutes' drive east, Indian Arm offers excellent wilderness paddling in a pristine setting. Deer Lake in Burnaby and Buntzen Lake, near Port Moody, also offer great canoeing and kayaking.
Read More
Where to Paddle
Vancouver’s huge parks, long beaches, several neighbourhoods and numerous attractions are all within paddling distance on an urban kayaking adventure.
A paddle around English Bay takes you from Jericho Beach on the south shore to downtown Vancouver and Stanley Park on the north. Kayak around Stanley Park, one of North America's largest urban green spaces, and trace the world-famous Stanley Park seawall.
Rent a kayak at Granville Island. Explore False Creek by water, then return to the island and discover its dynamic arts scene and impressive public food and arts market. At the mouth of False Creek, Vanier Park is home to abundant green space, plus the Museum of Vancouver, the Vancouver Maritime Museum, and the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre.
Just 30 minutes by car from downtown Vancouver, the glacier-carved fjord of Indian Arm lures local and visiting canoeists alike with its protected waters and pristine Coast Mountain vistas. Start at Deep Cove in North Vancouver and spend a day paddling this remarkable extension of the Pacific Ocean.
A quick drive from the suburb of Port Moody, fjord-like Buntzen Lake is a haven for picnickers and canoeists. This large lake is surrounded by wilderness and power boats are prohibited, so a scenic and serene paddle is almost always guaranteed.
Minutes east of Vancouver in the heart of Burnaby, Deer Lake is an accessible urban oasis with some great paddling opportunities. Explore this small oval lake in a rented canoe and you're likely to see bullfrogs, rainbow trout, and a variety of wild birds.
Guided Tours and Rentals
Canoe and kayak rentals are available throughout the Vancouver area. At Buntzen Lake, rentals are available year-round and must be arranged at Anmore Store (just outside the park area). In Deep Cove (Indian Arm), rentals are readily available from April to October and can sometimes be arranged in winter months as well. Canoe and kayak rentals at Deer Lake run from April to October.
On a weekend in July or August, take a guided First Nations canoe tour of Indian Arm. Along the way, an Aboriginal guide will recount traditional legends and discuss the area's cultural history.
When to Paddle in Vancouver
The best time for kayaking and canoeing in Vancouver is April through October, but thanks to the city's mild climate it's possible to paddle year-round. Choosing to paddle in the early morning may allow you to enjoy a body of water all to yourself.
Practical Points and Safety
Read Less
Show me Kayaking & Canoeing close to:
or
Main Address
Activity/Branch/Terminal
Visitor Centres
4 Kayaking & Canoeing in Vancouver
1 - 4 of 4 Results
Page:
1
1
2354 W 8th Ave
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6K 2A9
Websitehttp://www.damgoodlogistics.com
Toll-free
Phone604-783-3597
Start your journey here with Dam Good Logistics for self-guided kayaking and hiking adventures in stunning British Columbia. My experienced colleagues and I believe that the self-guided, highly personalized kayak & hiking trips we create offer you a unique kind of independence and flexibility. We match your needs with the many opportunities available in BC and equip you to do it. Alone. Unguided. But well informed and advised about what challenges you will face. That's how we put our knowledge to work for you.
More Details
2
1668 Duranleau St
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6H 3S4
Websitehttp://www.ecomarine.com
Toll-free888-425-2925
Phone604-689-7575
Ecomarine is Vancouver's leading paddlesport specialist with 3 unique oceanfront locations; Jericho Beach, English Bay & Granville Island. We offer kayak and SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) rentals, lesson & tours. Jericho Beach features a large beach with easy parking, ocean kayak rentals, sit on top rentals, adult lessons, kids camps & custom group tours. English Bay is conveniently located in downtown Vancouver and has our largest SUP fleet. Our retail store on Granville Island is open year-round, selling ocean kayaks, SUP boards, outdoor clothing, footwear, books & charts for your outdoor adventures. Ecomarine Paddlesport Centres offers perfect paddling experiences for everyone!
More Details
3
700 Apex Ave
North Vancouver, British Columbia
V7H 2R5
Websitehttp://www.takayatours.com
Toll-free
Phone604-904-7410
West Coast Canoe Tours:
Explore the rich marine ecosystem while experiencing Coast Salish culture while you enjoy a guided interpretive paddle in one of our traditional 31 foot Coast Salish Ocean going canoes. Gently paddle the protected waters of Burrard Inlet & the beautiful pristine Indian Arm. Trained First Nations Guides share first nation's culture, sing traditional songs & tell legends & the history of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation.
Rainforest Ground Tour:
Explore the ancestral trails of Whey-Ah-Whichen (Cates Park). Learn about the traditional uses of the local flora and fauna, harvesting methods, traditional medicines & how to identify different plant species.
More Details
Other businesses with Kayaking & Canoeing
4
1596 Johnston St
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6H 3R9
Websitehttp://www.ediblecanada.com
Toll-free
Phone604-558-0040
Sightseeing for your taste buds! Edible Canada (formerly Edible British Columbia) is located across from Vancouver's Granville Island Public Market. We are Canada's largest culinary tourism & locavore retail company, dedicated to sourcing the highest quality culinary products from coast to coast for our customers. Services include our retail & online artisan food store, guided Granville Island Market & Chinatown Tours, demonstration guest chef Market Dinners, Gourmet Kayaking Weekends & popular Amuse Bouche newsletter & blog. In Summer 2011 we opened Edible Canada at the Market - a vibrant bistro in the heart of Granville Island & at the forefront of Canadian cuisine.
More Details