Howe Sound boat tour from Vancouver: Bowen Island with wildlife
A Zodiac boat carries you past seal colonies and into a fjord most Vancouver visitors never reach by land.
A 4-hour boat tour from Granville Island through Howe Sound, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve north of Vancouver, with a stop at Bowen Island's Snug Cove. You'll ride a 12-passenger Zodiac past the Tantalus Mountain range and Tantalus Glacier, watch for sea lions and bald eagles, and receive a complimentary beer, wine, specialty coffee or ice cream on the island before returning to the city.
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore Howe Sound and Bowen Island
- Arrive at Granville Island
- Start tour in False Creek waters
- Pass Downtown Vancouver and English Bay
- View Stanley Park from boat
- See Kitsilano, UBC, and West Vancouver
- Stop at Lighthouse Park for photos
- Visit Seal Colony near Lighthouse Park
- Stop at Bowyer Island and watch Horseshoe Bay
- Explore Bowyer Island coastline and wildlife
- Boat through Sea to Sky corridor
- Experience UNESCO Howe Sound fjord
- Stop at Bowen Island Snug Cove
- Enjoy free drink or ice cream at Snug Cove
- Granville Island 10m
- False Creek 10m
- Downtown Vancouver 5m
- Stanley Park 5m
- English Bay 30m
- Sea to Sky Highway passing by
- Bowen Island 1h
What’s included
- A 12-passenger Zodiac boat with lifejacket and warming suit.
- a complimentary beer, wine, specialty coffee or ice cream at Bowen Island's Snug Cove.
- a live English-speaking guide throughout the 4-hour tour.
Times
- Saturday and Sunday 12:00
Before you book
Operated by Vancouver Water Adventures
Prices and times updated today
Traveler reviews
The experience
The tour departs from Granville Island and heads into False Creek, then out past Stanley Park and into English Bay. From there the boat follows the coast toward Howe Sound, passing Lighthouse Park and Bowyer Island on the way. You'll see the Tantalus range and glacier across the water, and the operator stops to point out seal colonies and talk through the glacial and mountain history of the corridor. The Zodiac holds up to 12 passengers and the tour runs with a live English-speaking guide.
At Bowen Island's Snug Cove, you get off the boat for a short stop. Your tour includes your choice of a beer, wine, specialty coffee or ice cream at one of the shops in the cove, and there's time to walk around the quieter waterfront town before heading back. The return follows the same route through Howe Sound and back to Granville Island.
You'll wear a lifejacket and warming suit for the ride. The boat is wheelchair accessible, and children from age 6 are welcome. A minimum of four guests is required to run a tour, though multiple parties can combine to meet that threshold. The tour takes 4 hours total.
Is this one for you?Small groups of up to 12 travel together on the same boat, so this tour suits anyone comfortable in a shared group setting who wants to see Howe Sound's wildlife and glaciers without driving the Sea to Sky Highway.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 15 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What wildlife might I see on the Howe Sound boat tour?
Sea lions, bald eagles and porpoises are common sightings along the Tantalus range and near the seal colonies the guide points out during the ride.
What is Snug Cove on Bowen Island like?
Snug Cove is a small waterfront town with shops and restaurants where you'll spend your island stop. It's quieter and more low-key than downtown Vancouver, and your tour covers a complimentary drink or ice cream at one of the local spots.
Do I need to arrange my own way to Granville Island, or is pickup included?
Hotel pickup is not included, but public transportation options are available near Granville Island, where the tour departs and returns.
Is the Zodiac boat ride rough, or is it suitable for most fitness levels?
The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though it is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health. You'll wear a warming suit and lifejacket for the ride.
Howe Sound boat tour from Vancouver: Bowen Island with wildlife
4h · EN
from CA$ 199 per person
≈ US$ 145 in your currency
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.