Cruise on an Authentic Paddlewheeler
See the sights from the open-air deck of Vancouver’s only authentic paddlewheeler, the MPV Constitution, on a 1-hour scenic tour with Harbour Cruises. You’ll get great views of Stanley Park, the cruise ship terminals, Gastown, the North Shore Mountains, and more. The tour includes narration with lots of fun facts about the sights you are seeing.
Paddlewheeler cruise in downtown Vancouver. Photo: Harbour Cruises
Enjoy Dinner (or Lunch) with a View
Sip pre-dinner cocktails on the viewing deck while watching Vancouver’s spectacular skyline slide by, then sit down for a sumptuous West Coast-style buffet dinner on Harbour Cruises Evening Dinner Cruise. The 2.5-hour excursion runs every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday all summer long. Harbour Cruises also offers a 3-hour luncheon cruise that includes a buffet lunch.
A dinner cruise in False Creek, Vancouver. Photo: Harbour Cruises
Get Front Row Seats to the Fireworks
One of the most unique ways to see the annual Honda Celebration of Light fireworks display is from a boat. You can book a dinner cruise with Vancouver Cruises, Vancouver Charters, Vancouver Boat Parties, or Harbour Cruises to enjoy a delicious meal and watch the fireworks in style. Prince of Whales also offers a sunset and fireworks tour that includes snacks, hot drinks, and alcoholic beverages. Or book Vancouver Water Adventures‘ Bowen Island dinner and fireworks tour. You’ll cruise over to Bowen Island for dinner at the island’s famous Tuscany Restaurant, then enjoy the fireworks on your trip back to Vancouver.
Boats at the Celebration of Light fireworks. Photo: Destination Vancouver/Dannielle Hayes
Go Dancing at a Boat Party
With drinks, DJs, and dancing, a boat party is a great way to enjoy nightlife while also soaking up incredible views of the glittering lights of Vancouver’s evening skyline. Vancouver Cruises and Vancouver Boat Parties both offer boat parties on weekends throughout the summer.
Photo: Vancouver Cruises
Be the Captain of Your Own Ship
Cruise around the harbour or venture up the coastline at the helm of your own craft. Granville Island Boat Rentals has several types of boats in its fleet. Their downtown location is perfect for exploring False Creek and admiring the city skyline in Yaletown, but you can also cruise past downtown into the wilds of Indian Arm. Sewell’s Marina in West Vancouver also has speed boat rentals. Launch from Horseshoe Bay to enjoy great views of downtown from Lighthouse Park or motor between the islands of Howe Sound.
Driving a speed boat in Vancouver. Photo: Granville Island Boat Rentals
Zip Around in a Zodiac
See Vancouver from the water on a fast-paced Zodiac boat tour with Vancouver Water Adventures. You’ll zip past Stanley Park, False Creek, and the North Shore Mountains while enjoying incredible city views. You’ll also visit a thriving seal colony for an up-close wildlife encounter. Your guide will share fun stories about local history, celebrity homes, geology, nature, and more. If you want to get further out into the wilderness, Vancouver Water Adventures also offers tours to Granite Falls, a spectacular waterfall in Indian Arm, and excursions to Bowen Island and Howe Sound.
Zodiac tour in Vancouver harbour. Photo: Vancouver Water Adventures