The City by Kayak

Vancouver is a city shaped by a series of ocean inlets and the branching arms of the Fraser River. If you’re drawn to the water, you’ll find lots of meandering coastline calling your name. Think of these surrounding bodies of water as liquid parks that can offer a unique perspective on the city. And try navigating them the authentic West Coast way, by kayak—the slim, feather-light and nearly silent vessel handed down to modern adventurers from the Inuit people.

Touring by kayak in English Bay
(photo by Ecomarine Ocean Kayak Center)With its three central waterfront locations at Jericho Beach, Granville Island, and English Bay, Ecomarine Ocean Kayak Centre is perfectly positioned to help you discover Vancouver by water. Every day, the veteran company offers 2.5-hour guided tours for about $54 per person in single or double kayaks. You won’t have trouble finding a kayak to suit as Ecomarine has the largest rental fleet in Canada. Choose from Kevlar, fiberglass or plastic ocean kayaks made by all the leading manufacturers.

Once your guide has given you a short safety orientation, the sightseeing begins. Take in the dramatic Coast Range from a position near the anchored freighters in English Bay. Learn about Native legends from your guide as you circumnavigate Stanley Park. Or explore odd nooks, floating sculpture and urban scenery while floating on the calm surface of False Creek. Stop anywhere along the way to ask questions—your guide is a fount of knowledge about Vancouver’s history, geography and art.

Large groups are easily accommodated. Ecomarine’s private docks on the west side of Granville Island cater to parties of up to 12. The Jericho and English Bay locations—the latter housed in a historic Bath House—can handle group sizes of up to 48. All locations also offer many levels of lessons. If your nautical gang is hungry after the Jericho tour, you can book a salmon barbeque or catered buffet in private waterfront rooms inside the Jericho Sailing Centre.

For a more in-depth experience, kayakers can book guided trips to Ladner Marsh near the mouth of the Fraser River. There you can birdwatch and even island-hop in the rich estuary—the number of islands depends on the tides. Other specialty tours include a four-hour guided Paddle and Rainforest Tour, which includes a brief walk in Stanley Park and information about B.C.’s natural heritage. Or there’s the Guided Sunset Paddle Tour, a three-hour pleasure outing along the shorelines of English Bay, with gilded late-light views. Ecomarine offers instruction and touring opportunities for all levels of paddlers and books adventures as far afield as Thailand and Greenland. Custom local daytrips are easily arranged, too—just call 604.689.7520/ 888.425.2924 (outside Vancouver) or visit www.ecomarine.com