Photo: James Wheeler | Flickr
There鈥檚 no better way to spend a hot day than exploring Vancouver鈥檚 Instagram-worthy waterfront, savouring gelato while strolling the seawall, or lounging at Kits Beach. But when the waterways surrounding the city sparkle like diamonds under the summer sun, you鈥檒l feel the irresistible urge to dive headlong into the surf. Here are four ways to get wet in Vancouver:
- See the city from a new perspective with Sea Vancouver . This high-speed zodiac tour zips around Vancouver鈥檚 Inner Harbour and across Burrard Inlet while guides provide commentary on historical, cultural and architectural points of interest. For a full day鈥檚 adventure, book a Prince of Whales whale watching cruise over to Victoria 鈥?鈥榯is the聽season for sightings, after all.
- Swim alongside seals with Sea Dragon Charters . The company鈥檚 snorkeling adventures bring marine lovers to the seal colony at Pam Rocks (less than 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver), where participants dive into the tranquil waters and cuddle up to the wildlife. The trip also includes lunch and a cruise past multimillion-dollar homes.
- Learn how to SUP with Ecomarine Paddlesport Centres . Kayaking is cool, but stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is the hottest way to cool down. Ecomarine offers lesson/tour hybrids out of Granville Island (daytime) and English Bay (sunset). If summer鈥檚 jam-packed schedule has you frazzled, book a SUP yoga session 鈥?it鈥檚 a great way to calm聽down while toning up.
- Join Simplicity Sailing Charters for a leisurely sailing lesson. The ocean is your oyster during this leisurely sail around Vancouver鈥檚 waterfront: skippers are at your service and you control the direction of the 28-foot Blue Heron. Simplicity Sailing offers morning, afternoon and sunset cruises, and you choose whether to learn the ins and outs of sailing or simply lounge back and enjoy the ride.
- Take an Aquabus tour around False Creek. What do Yaletown鈥檚 sparkling glass towers, bustling Granville Island, and the breweries at Olympic Village ( Steel Toad Brewpub and Craft Beer Market , for starters) have in common? They鈥檙e all on the Aquabus mini-ferry route. Board one of the rainbow-coloured boats at any stop and enjoy a round-trip cruise before hopping off to continue touring. Talk about a cool commute!
