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.
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
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