For an unobstructed, 360-degree view of Vancouver’s skyline, skip the big boats and experience Vancouver’s water on an open-air Zodiac boat. Departing right from Granville Island, an ocean sightseeing tour brings you right up close to the Stanley Park Seawall, under the towering Lions Gate Bridge, and into the historic port of Burrard Inlet.

Before or after heading out onto the water, spend a morning exploring Granville Island. Grab fresh-baked pastries from Lee’s Donuts, local smoked salmon, and fresh fruit from the market stalls, then take your food outside to watch the boats roll through False Creek.

Did you know Vancouver has a natural glacial fjord right in its backyard? Accessible best by boat during the summer months, Indian Arm stretches deep into the coastal mountains. A guided boat excursion up the inlet reveals pristine granite cliffs, dense rainforest, and the cascading waters of Granite Falls.

Vancouver’s ocean waters are teeming with wildlife during the summer. Keep an eye out for harbour seal colonies sunbathing on rocky outcrops around Point Atkinson and Lighthouse Park, as well as bald eagles soaring over the treetops of Stanley Park.

The 8.8-kilometer (5.5-mile) Stanley Park Seawall is the world’s longest uninterrupted waterfront path. Rent a cruiser bike near Denman Street in the late afternoon and ride counter-clockwise along the ocean. For an extra special ride, wait till sunset to catch the golden hour over English Bay.

Looking up at the massive green suspension cables of the Lions Gate Bridge from directly below on the water offers a perspective few land tours can match. It’s one of the most striking photo opportunities in Metro Vancouver.

Skip the traffic and hop on one of the iconic water taxis that crisscross False Creek. It’s an inexpensive, scenic way to travel between Granville Island, Yaletown, Science World, and Kitsilano Beach.

When the sun sets past 9:00 PM in peak July and August, locals head to the beaches of Vancouver! Grab takeaway fish and chips, pull up a piece of driftwood, and watch the sun dip below the horizon over the Strait of Georgia.

For a workout on the water, rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard (SUP). False Creek offers calm, protected urban paddling with city views, while Deep Cove in North Vancouver gives you a quiet, forested inlet experience.

Cross the harbour from Waterfront Station to the Shipyards District in North Vancouver via the SeaBus. During summer weekends, the Shipyards Night Market features live music, food trucks, local artisan stalls, and massive patio views looking back at downtown Vancouver.