Vancouver: Sea to Sky Gondola & Squamish Waterfalls Private Tour

Six Hours Along the Sea to Sky Highway, Just Your Group and a Local Driver

You travel the Sea to Sky Highway in a private vehicle with a local guide, stopping at Shannon Falls, riding the Sea to Sky Gondola to the summit, crossing the suspension bridge, and visiting Mamquam Falls in Squamish Canyon. Snacks, water, and gondola entry are included. The 6-hour tour is flexible: your group sets the stops and timing, and the driver waits while you explore.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Lions Gate Bridgepass by
2. Sea to Sky Highwaypass by
3. Shannon Falls20m
4. Sea to Sky Gondola1h 30m · entry included

Private Sea to Sky Scenic Tour

• Cross Lions Gate Bridge
• Drive along Sea to Sky Highway
• Optional stop at Britannia Beach
• Visit Shannon Falls Provincial Park
• Ride Sea to Sky Gondola summit
• Walk Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge
• Explore summit trails and lodge
• Visit Mamquam Falls in Squamish Canyon

The experience

You start at the Lions Gate Bridge. That's where the drive begins, crossing from downtown Vancouver into West Vancouver before the Sea to Sky Highway opens up in front of you. The water's on one side, the Coast Mountains on the other, and for the next six hours it's just your group in a private vehicle with someone who knows where to stop and when to linger. No fixed schedule, no strangers on a coach, no rushing through the good parts.

The first real stop is Shannon Falls, where water drops 1,100 feet down granite cliffs into a forest so thick you can't see the sky. There's a short walk to the viewing platform. Nothing strenuous, just enough to get close to the sound and the spray. After that comes the Sea to Sky Gondola, the centerpiece of the tour. You ride up to the summit, walk across the Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge if you want to, and stand at a viewpoint where Howe Sound spreads out below and the peaks go on forever. The lodge at the top has a place to sit if you need one, and the trails around the summit let you move at your own pace. Your guide carries water and snacks the whole day, so you're not hunting for a café or worrying about what you forgot.

On the way back toward Vancouver, the tour includes Mamquam Falls: a narrower, quieter waterfall tucked into Squamish Canyon where the water rushes through a rock gorge. It's the kind of stop most people miss, and it's why a private tour works better than a standard one. You also get an optional 10–15 minute break in Britannia Beach if the timing feels right, a small seaside town where you can stretch and grab a coffee. The whole thing is built around your pace, not a clock.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned vehicle with a local guide.
• Sea to Sky Gondola admission and summit access.
• stops at Shannon Falls, Mamquam Falls, and the Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge.
• bottled water and light snacks throughout the day.
• optional 10–15 minute break in Britannia Beach.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (under 13)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by YellowCap Experience

Is this one for you?This works best if you want the main Squamish and Howe Sound highlights without renting a car or coordinating separate tickets and timing. The private format means your group moves together, stops when something catches your eye, and doesn't wait for anyone else.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 13).

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.

How long is the drive from Vancouver to the Sea to Sky Gondola?

The tour is 6 hours total. The drive to Squamish along the Sea to Sky Highway takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours depending on traffic and stops.

Is the Sea to Sky Gondola entry included?

Yes. Gondola admission is included in the tour price, along with access to the summit trails and the Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge.

What's the walk like at Shannon Falls?

It's a short walk to the viewing platform. The itinerary notes it's suitable for all fitness levels, and families with children often do it without issue.

Can we skip stops or add extra time somewhere?

Yes. The tour is private and flexible. You set the pace and choose which stops matter most to your group. Extra time is available if you want to stay longer at one location.

Is lunch included?

No. The tour includes snacks and water, but not a full meal. You can stop in Britannia Beach or elsewhere to eat if you'd like.

What's included in the price?

The Sea to Sky Gondola entry, snacks, bottled water, soft drinks, and the private vehicle with driver. Government fees are also included.

Can we see wildlife on this tour?

The itinerary mentions keeping an eye open for wildlife sighting at Mamquam Falls, though sightings are not guaranteed.