Top British Columbia Water Tours

Looking for an enchanting and unusual way to spend an evening in Vancouver? Take a leisurely dinner cruise along the city’s gorgeous waterfront. Listen to live music and savor delicious Pacific Coast-style cuisine as you float through Vancouver’s Inner Harbor. Stroll the deck at sunset, indulge in a freshly prepared buffet, and take in the beautiful sights including Canada Place, the North Shore Mountains and the West Vancouver skyline after dusk.

Scout for an incredible array of marine life during this half-day Vancouver whale watching cruise. Join a professional naturalist on board a modern boat as you search for creatures including orcas, seals, porpoises, and eagles. The waters for your cruise are renowned for attracting whales, offering an up to 90% success rate with sightings. Best of all, enjoy spectacular scenery set amidst the Gulf and San Juan Islands. Your whale watching trip from Vancouver includes round-trip transport from your hotel, plus bottled water and snacks.

Experience Vancouver sights by water on this 3-hour zodiac-boat tour from Granville Island. Cross False Creek and admire Siwash Rock, an iconic stone spire located near the Lion’s Gate Bridge. In Vancouver Harbour, learn about the waterfront landmarks. Venture into Deep Cove and the glacial fjord of the Indian Arm, for incredible views of granite cliffs that you can only see by boat. Capture the beauty of Granite Falls and Silver Falls before heading back.

Enjoy the exquisite waterfront views of Canada's premier West Coast city on a leisurely Vancouver Harbor sightseeing cruise. Travel past landmarks sites such as world-renowned Stanley Park and the city's rejuvenated Gastown district, marvel at the incredible North Shore Mountains from atop an open-air deck, and admire the stunning Lions' Gate Bridge while sipping a cocktail (own expense) from the onboard bar. 

See Vancouver's dramatic skyline from the water on a small-group cruise in an inflatable Zodiac boat that accommodates 12 passengers. You'll navigate Vancouver Harbour, Burrard Inlet, English Bay, and False Creek, spotting some of the city's top sites and landmarks along the way. And since Vancouver Harbour is home to bald eagles, harbor seals, and dolphins, keep your camera ready and watch for wildlife as you hit speeds up to 30 mph (48 kph).

This whale-watching adventure from downtown Vancouver gives you the chance to see whales and other marine life. Hop aboard the 'Salish Sea Dream' our 80-foot flagship catamaran, and keep your eyes peeled from one of several viewing areas.. Learn about the local history and geology from knowledgeable crew on board, and soak up views of the Gulf Islands, San Juan Islands, and Howe Sound.

Immerse yourself in nature’s splendor moments from downtown Vancouver. History meets the great outdoors at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, where you wander through the stunning temperate rain forest. Soar over the Capilano River as you cross the suspension bridge, climb through old-growth fir trees on the Treetops Adventure, and rise high above the canyon along a towering wall of granite on the new Cliffwalk.

Spend half a day touring Vancouver’s natural and urban highlights on this sightseeing bus tour. Your savvy guide escorts you to key attractions such as Canada Place, Robson Street and across the Lions Gate Bridge. Listen to interesting commentary as you wind through vibrant neighborhoods and tree-lined paths in Stanley Park. Then head to Capilano Suspension Bridge for an exhilarating walk along the cliff-hanging footpaths.

Soar above the scenic city of Vancouver, enjoying a bird's eye view of its picturesque harbor and nearby mountain peaks, on this 20-minute, small-group seaplane flight. Hop aboard your seaplane as you leave the tourist crowds in downtown Vancouver behind, as you glide above the city's beautiful skyline and take in an aerial view of its Olympic facilities. This small-group flight, limited to just 14 guests, also includes a carbon offset levy.

Experience some of Vancouver's highlights on this family-friendly day tour, including stops at Grouse Mountain and the Capilano Suspension Bridge. With a small group of just 14 travelers, watch the lumberjack and endangered bird shows at Grouse Mountain. Visit the Treetop Adventure and the Cliffwalk at the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Round-trip hotel transportation included.

Delight in the beauty of Vancouver on a lunch cruise along the city’s gorgeous waterfront. Enjoy a unique dining experience as your float through Vancouver’s Inner Harbor, Burrard Inlet, and Indian Arm—a dramatic glacial fjord. Stroll the deck, indulge in a freshly prepared buffet and take in the beautiful sights including the Coast Mountains, verdant forests, and local wildlife.

Cycle and hike your way through British Columbia’s rugged landscape on a 6.5-hour tour from Vancouver with lunch. Watch for signs of wildlife as you walk through Lynn Canyon, cross a scenic suspension bridge and explore a stunning temperate rainforest. Get sweeping views from the saddle while riding the Trans Canada Trail through Pitt Meadows, where the snow capped mountains around Frasier Valley are a dramatic backdrop for winding rivers and marshland. Enjoy all-inclusive access to equipment, lunch and transportation.

You’re visiting Vancouver and want to experience the natural wonders outside the city. Avoid the hassle of renting a car with this day trip that shows off BC's fjords, inlets, and mountains, with included transportation and a ride on the Sea to Sky Gondola. A guide provides commentary on the drive, and you'll enjoy photo stops as well as free time in Whistler Village.

Get a glimpse into Vancouver’s rough and rowdy past on a walking tour of the historic Gastown neighborhood. Hear haunting tales of the city’s darkest days, when fires, smallpox and gold dust fever swept through the frontier outpost. Visit the neighborhood’s landmarks and historic sites as your guide evokes the thieves, hustlers and vagabonds that made the west so wild.

Discover the natural wonders of Vancouver and Victoria an exhilarating whale watching excursion! Delight in lovely aerial views on the crossing of the Strait of Georgia by seaplane—the most eco-friendly transport to Victoria. From the island capital, set off on an exciting cruise through Haro Strait, native home to orcas (killer whales), sea lions and seals, followed by a return flight to the mainland.

Experience an up-close encounter with northern Pacific marine life on a 3-hour whale watching cruise off Victoria’s coast. Travel out into the open ocean aboard a comfortable, motorized boat to look for native species like humpback whales, gray whales, orcas, elephant seals and sea lions in their natural habitat. Learn about local marine ecology from a naturalist guide, and take in fantastic views of Vancouver Island in between animal sightings.

Immerse yourself in the natural landscape of British Columbia on a rafting tour down the Illecillewaet River. No previous experience is necessary, as your guide navigates the route and provides safety instruction and equipment to ensure your comfort throughout the day. In addition to rare views of the Selkirk Mountain Range, the tour includes a snack break and post-tour meal discount, making it a popular choice for families.

Discover the sights and sounds around Vancouver, British Columbia, on this scenic, 90-minute boat tour. Led by a knowledgeable local guide, travel along the coastline of English Bay, west of the downtown peninsula, to popular Lighthouse Park, the Seal Colony and centrally located False Creek, which separates downtown Vancouver from the rest of the city. Along the way, see a plethora of attractions, like Stanley Park, English Bay Beach, the Lions Gate Bridge, plus offshore freighters, the beautiful homes of West Vancouver and much more.

Enjoy round-trip travel from Vancouver to Victoria, and discover top attractions in British Columbia on this Victoria and Butchart Gardens day trip from Victoria. Take the ferry to Vancouver Island, and enjoy fine views over the beautiful Gulf Islands. Dock in Swartz Bay, and visit the famous Butchart Gardens, exploring the grounds at your leisure. Then, enjoy free time to explore the city, perhaps walking through Chinatown and the Inner Harbour, before returning to Vancouver by ferry.

Share the waters with whales, orcas, and more on a wildlife watching tour. In addition to animal sightings, the aquatic adventure also offers great views of the San Juan and Gulf Islands, plus the Howe Sound. Stay warm inside the cabin, where you can purchase snacks and drinks. Your ticket comes with a whale sighting guarantee, with a free tour should you not spot any whales.

Discover why British Columbia is one of the best places in the world to see whales and other marine wildlife on this 3-hour tour with Eagle Wing Tours at Victoria’s Fisherman’s Wharf. Hop aboard a comfortable semi-covered or open boat and help support Eagle Wing’s many conservation, education and research activities! Let certified and knowledgeable naturalists be your guides to the stunning wildlife and natural history of the Salish Sea. Watch for seals, sea lions, otters and porpoises as well as bald eagles and a mind-boggling assortment of marine birds. Hoping for something bigger? There’s always a chance to see humpback, killer, minke or grey whales!

A twist on a famous classic, our City and Wildlife tour is a 90-minute adventure departing from False Creek with stops near Stanley Park, the Lions Gate Bridge, English Bay, and along the shores of West Vancouver. Get up close and personal with a seal colony near Lighthouse Park (Point Atkinson) and view bald eagles in their natural habitat. We will show you West Vancouver as you've never seen it before! *Whale watching is not included in this tour

Make your meal an adventure on a 3-hour zodiac tour from Vancouver to Bowen Island at the mouth of Howe Sound. In addition to dinner and a drink at Doc Morgan’s, this tour includes a high-speed boat ride, ocean-ready gear, and sightseeing along the Vancouver waterfront.

Many whale-watching cruises stick close to the shoreline, but this small-group tour increases your chances of seeing whales by heading out onto the open ocean. Cruise by the Carmanah lighthouse, Sea Lion Rock and the West Coast and Juan de Fuca Trails while keeping your eyes peeled for telltale blows, as well as black bears, deer, bald eagles and other wildlife.