Leaving Vancouver’s urban atmosphere behind for a marine wilderness adventure is easier than you might imagine!

Departing by boat from Granville Island, you’ll set sail into the stunning waters of Say Nuth Khaw Yum Provincial Park, offering a completely different perspective of the city. It’s a chance to experience just how closely Vancouver is connected to the wild landscapes that surround it.

Leaving Granville Island

Your journey begins at the lively docks of Granville Island. Long before it became the famous public market and cultural hub it is today, this area was a mudflat in False Creek, raised in 1915 using sand dredged from the ocean floor.

As you leave, you’ll first take in some of Vancouver’s most iconic sights, including the downtown skyline and Lions Gate Bridge, before leaving the city behind and heading toward the remote wilderness of Say Nuth Khaw Yum Provincial Park.

Vancouver’s Glaciers and the Fjord

As you enter the 18-kilometre stretch of fjords, the landscape quickly changes. Vancouver’s urban skyline gives way to towering cliffs, old-growth forests, and open water.

The fjord was carved around 15,000 years ago during the last Ice Age. Glaciers up to two kilometres thick slowly cut through the mountains, creating the deep valleys we see today. As the ice melted, rising sea levels flooded the valleys and formed the fjord.

Along the route, admire the rugged rock faces, steep shoreline drop-offs, and dense coastal forests. Our guides share stories along the way about how glaciers and the forces of nature shaped this landscape over thousands of years!

The Ocean “Layer Cake” and Historic Powerhouses

Cruising further up the inlet showcases a unique water dynamic called estuarine stratification. Because a massive volume of fresh water pours into the fjord from mountain streams, it sits directly on top of the heavier, salty ocean water like a multi-layered cake. This nutrient-rich upper layer feeds plankton, attracting marine life such as salmon, harbour seals, bald eagles, and black bears.

Along the eastern shoreline, you will also pass the striking Buntzen Lake Powerhouses. Built in the early 1900s, these castle-like stone buildings served as Vancouver’s first major hydroelectric plant, powered by a four-kilometer tunnel hand-blasted through solid granite to link Coquitlam Lake to the generators on the water.

Pausing at Silver Falls

The first major waterfall along the route is Silver Falls. Nestled in a mossy, forested alcove along the western shore, this cascade flows down from high mountain streams. Approaching by boat allows you to feel the cool breeze generated by the cascading waters while taking in views of massive Douglas firs and western red cedars.

The Grand Finale at Granite Falls

A highlight of the tour waits at the very head of the inlet: Granite Falls. Roughly 150 feet of exposed granite cliff, this impressive waterfall creates a mist that drifts over the calm ocean surface. Pausing here offers time to take photos, watch for wildlife along the rocky shore, and absorb the untamed landscape before making the return trip back to Granville Island.