Vancouver to Squamish: Sea to Sky Highway & Gondola Day Trip

A Cable Car Rises Over Howe Sound While Mountains Fill Every Direction

You ride the Sea to Sky Gondola up to 2,158 feet with views across Howe Sound, stop at Shannon Falls for a short walk to the base, and drive the full Sea-to-Sky Highway from Vancouver through Squamish with your guide pointing out the Olympic route, coastal parks, and granite peaks. Hotel pickup and gondola tickets are included, so you don't arrange transport or buy entry separately. The day runs full length, and you choose how long to spend at each stop.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Stanley Parkpass by
2. Sea to Sky Highway45m
3. Sea to Sky Gondola1h · entry included
4. Shannon Falls30m · entry included
5. Porteau Cove Provincial Park30m
6. Brockton Pointpass by

Vancouver to Squamish scenic tour

• Pass Stanley Park Seawall
• Drive over Lions Gate Bridge
• Stop at Horseshoe Bay village
• Drive Sea to Sky Highway
• Visit Sea to Sky Gondola summit
• Explore Shannon Falls
• Tour Britannia Mine Museum
• Drive by Furry Creek Marina
• Pass Sisters Islets in Howe Sound
• Stop at Porteau Cove Provincial Park
• Visit Whytecliff Park

The experience

Hands grip the railing of the Sea to Sky Gondola as it climbs 2,158 feet above the coastline, and it's the guide who points out which peaks are which, how the light changes the color of the water below, where the 2010 Olympic route ran. The day starts in Vancouver, moving north along the Sea-to-Sky Highway, the same stretch that connects the city to Whistler and beyond. The drive itself is the first stop: Lions Gate Bridge, Horseshoe Bay, then the highway opens up and doesn't close for hours. You're not driving yourself, which means you can actually look at the 7,000-foot mountains instead of watching the road.

Shannon Falls comes early in the day: a short walk from the parking lot to where the water drops 335 meters down the rock face, fed by Shannon Creek from the Coast Range. The interpretive center there explains the geology and the First Nations history, or you can just stand in front of it and let the scale of it settle. After that, the gondola. The ride takes you up to the Summit Lodge Deck, where the views of Howe Sound shift depending on where you stand. Trails branch off from the top if you want to hike. Most people just walk the deck and take photos. The guide knows the timing: how long people usually spend up there, when the light gets best, which direction to face for the skyline shot.

The day includes stops at Porteau Cove Provincial Park, Whytecliff Park, and a drive past Sunset Marina and Tunnel Point: each one a different angle on the same coastline. The vehicle is air-conditioned and stocked with bottled water. You get to choose how much time you spend at each place. The guide adjusts. Whistler Village is on the route if you want to walk through the boutiques or grab lunch, but it's not forced. By late afternoon, you're heading back down the Sea-to-Sky Highway toward Vancouver, the same mountains behind you now instead of ahead.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your Vancouver hotel.
• Sea to Sky Gondola tickets.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• music on demand.
• stops at Shannon Falls, Porteau Cove Provincial Park, Whytecliff Park, and scenic viewpoints along the Sea-to-Sky Highway.
• expert local guide.
• photo stops allowed.

Options for this experience

2 options

Guide in English, Spanish or German09:30 and 10:00

Guide in English, Spanish or German5 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 10:00

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 10:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (22 to 55 years) · Senior (56 and older) · Youth (11 to 21 years) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and German

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 if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Globalduniya

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the Sea-to-Sky Highway and the gondola views without renting a car or buying tickets separately: the private transport and included entry mean you show up and the day unfolds without logistics getting in the way.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 21 years); Child (4 to 10 years); Infant (1 to 3 years).

How long is the drive from Vancouver to Squamish?

The Sea-to-Sky Highway runs roughly 60 kilometers (37 miles) from Vancouver to Squamish. The full day trip includes multiple stops along the way, so total time out is a full day, not just driving time.

Is the gondola ride included in the price?

Yes. Sea to Sky Gondola tickets are included in the tour package.

Can I hike at Shannon Falls?

Shannon Falls is accessible by a short walk from the parking lot. The area also has hiking trails in nearby Stawamus Chief Provincial Park if you want a longer hike, though the tour allows you to choose how much time to spend there.

What if I don't want to go to Whistler Village?

Whistler Village is on the route, but the tour is customizable. You can skip it or spend time there: the guide adjusts the itinerary based on your preferences.

What's included in the tour?

Private transportation, Sea to Sky Gondola tickets, bottled water, an air-conditioned vehicle, and a local guide. Hotel pickup is included.

Can I take photos during the tour?

Yes. Photo stops are allowed throughout the day, and the guide will point out the best viewpoints.

How many people are in the group?

The tour is private, so it's your group only, not a shared tour with strangers.