Spend Your Holidays at the Vancouver BC Harbour and Never Be Bored
Visitors love Vancouver Harbour! The sights and sounds of the city’s waterfront are second to none and guests will find themselves spending lots of time there.
The Port of Vancouver Canada
Vancouver Harbour is a year-round service port, boasting one of the world’s largest natural deep-water harbours. Each day, tons of cargo arrives here and the port of Vancouver trades about $43 million in goods each year.
From May through September, the Vancouver BC harbour comes alive with the nearly three dozen luxury cruise ships that travel the Vancouver-Alaska route and you’ll find lots of cruise ship passengers happily roaming the areas around the port.
Attractions and Activities at the Harbour
Vancouver’s harbour area is one of the most splendid sections of the city and you’ll discover lots of fun places to visit and things to do there. Start with a trip to the Vancouver Harbour Centre Tower, with its incredible observation deck, providing an eagle-eye 360 degree panoramic view of the city.
Next, be sure to visit to the unique Canada Place, a distinctive landmark (look for the 5 white sails!) that beckons visitors to enjoy the waters of British Columbia. Stop at the 5-story IMAX Theater and enjoy the current flick or check out the goings-on at the convention and visitors center there.
Using the water to get around Vancouver and its surrounding areas is natural for both residents and visitors. Ferries are used to get to work as well as to see the sights of the city. Hop a Sea-Bus for a quick 12 minute ride from downtown to the North Shore or take a passenger ferry to Granville Island and enjoy the shops and fine restaurants there.
Larger vehicle ferries travel to Vancouver Island, the Southern Gulf Islands and the Sunshine Coast. Some also serve the Inside Passage, Discovery Coast and Queen Charlotte Islands in the north. High-speed catamarans also carry visitors to Seattle, Washington each day.
If you can see the landmark Lions Gate Bridge, you’re close enough to enjoy Stanley Park, a 1,000 acre waterfront paradise where you can enjoy tons of fun activities. Ride the horse-drawn carriage, watch a fascinating whale show at the Vancouver Aquarium, swim at one of the park’s three beaches, or stroll through the rose garden.
Are you the really adventurous type? Treat yourself to a tour in a Harbour Air Vancouver floatplane and explore the area from a new perspective!
Boating and Watersports
If you want to spend the day on the water rather than near the water, you’ll find plenty of options here. Take one of the Vancouver Harbour Cruises. Choose from several popular dinner cruises that include dancing under the stars, enjoy private or sailing charters, or book a wedding cruise, for a unique twist to your special event.
Avid anglers will want to do a little fishing. Experienced skippers and guides will direct visitors to the best spots for great Pacific Northwest salmon fishing and you may just catch the evening’s dinner!
Visitors can also rent a sea kayak or enjoy a guided kayaking tour, scuba dive in one of the best cold water diving destinations in the world, or learn to windsurf in the waters surrounding the Vancouver harbour.
Enjoying the Harbour
During peak tourist season, charters rent quickly and leisure cruises fill up in a hurry. Be sure to plan ahead and secure reservations for your desired Vancouver harbour activities so that you’re not disappointed.
