Look at Vancouver on a map, and you’ll see a city almost completely surrounded by the waters of the Pacific Ocean. An intricate network of inlets, bays and straits encircles the vibrant downtown core. It should come as no surprise then that one of the best ways to experience Vancouver is gliding along the shoreline in a sleek kayak.
A great starting point is Granville Island , the bustling neighborhood of gourmet food and crafts shops situated on downtown’s False Creek inlet.
Even if it’s your first time in a kayak, the gentle waters – lined with colorful house boats, a fishermen’s pier and glimmering skyscrapers – make for an ideal maiden voyage. This summer, Ecomarine Ocean Kayak Centre is offering 2.5-hour guided kayak tours of the inlet, excellent for beginning and experienced paddlers alike ($65 a person).
To see a bit more of Vancouver’s wild side, strike out from downtown’s English Bay for the rugged coast of Stanley Park , the 1,000-acre green sanctuary right in the heart of the city. Ecomarine’s 2.5-hour kayak tour skirts the perimeter of the park, offering fantastic views of the snowcapped North Shore mountains and the city’s iconic Lions Gate Bridge ($65 a person). You’ll also see plenty of wildlife, from great blue herons to bald eagles.
And for a truly unique experience, consider a Full Moon Paddle. Once a month at full moon, Ecomarine offers a two-hour nighttime tour ($59 a person). Expect to see shimmering phosphorescent plankton in the water, the city skyline lit up at night and plenty of nocturnal wildlife.
