Vancouver: City & Harbour Boat Tour with Photo Package

Summary

See Vancouver from the water with local stories and city views

You’ll feel Vancouver come alive from the harbour as you zip along with a local guide, take in Stanley Park’s green edges, and catch salty breezes across English Bay. With your photo package included—and yes, you might get splashed—you’ll leave with stories (and maybe slightly windblown hair) you’ll want to tell again.

What’s the experience like?

I’d never really seen Vancouver until I was zipped into that bright cruiser suit and stepped onto the boat at Coal Harbour. The air smelled like salt and engine oil, and our guide—Sam, who grew up in Kitsilano—handed out these thick suits with a grin, saying we’d thank him later. He was right. As soon as we pulled away from the dock, the breeze bit through my jacket but the suit kept me warm. The city looked different from out there—glass towers glinting, floatplanes buzzing overhead, someone waving from a kayak nearby like it was just another Tuesday.

We picked up speed crossing Burrard Inlet (I swear my cheeks still sting thinking about it), and Sam pointed out where the old sawmills used to be before all the condos. There’s something about hearing those stories while you’re actually moving past the places—they stick more. We slowed near Stanley Park; even in June, you could smell cedar drifting off the shore. A heron stood so still on a log I thought it was fake until it blinked. English Bay opened up wide and bright ahead of us, boats bobbing around like toys. I tried to take photos but honestly, half of them are crooked—I was laughing too hard when we hit a wake.

There were moments of calm too: False Creek was quieter, reflections rippling under bridges. Sam told us about Expo ’86 and how this whole area changed after that—he had this way of mixing facts with little jokes (“That glass building? Locals call it ‘the cheese grater’”). I didn’t expect to care about city trivia but somehow I did. We looped back toward downtown, sun flickering on the water, everyone kind of quiet for a minute—just soaking it in.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Vancouver Harbour sightseeing boat tour

• Begin cruising Vancouver Inner Harbour
• Cross Burrard Inlet at 55 Km/h
• View Coal Harbour and North Shore
• See English Bay and False Creek
• Pass by Stanley Park

Top questions

How long is the Vancouver city & harbour sightseeing boat tour?

The tour lasts approximately 90 minutes from start to finish.

Does the boat tour include whale watching?

No, whale watching is not included in this tour.

What areas does the sightseeing boat tour cover?

The route includes Coal Harbour, North Shore, English Bay, False Creek, and Stanley Park.

Is there a guide on board during the boat tour?

Yes, an experienced local guide/skipper leads each tour and shares information along the way.

What should I wear for the Vancouver sightseeing boat tour?

You should dress in layers with flat closed-toe shoes; cruiser suits are provided for warmth and safety.

Will I get wet during the boat ride?

You may get wet during parts of the ride; bringing a plastic bag for your camera is recommended.

Are children allowed on this sightseeing boat tour?

Children under 4ft/120cm or 50lb/23kg (usually under 7 years old) cannot join for safety reasons.

Is pickup included for this Vancouver harbour tour?

No hotel pickup is included; you meet at Coal Harbour before departure.

What’s included in the price of this sightseeing tour?

The price includes your local guide/skipper, all necessary equipment (including cruiser suit), and a free photo package.

What’s included

Your day includes all necessary equipment like a Transport Canada-approved cruiser suit to keep you comfortable on board, guidance from an experienced local skipper who shares stories as you go, plus a free photo package so you can relive those moments after drying off back on shore.