Seeing Vancouver from the Water

With so many things to see in Vancouver British Columbia and so many ways to see them, there are hardly enough hours in the day to fully appreciate what Vancouver has to offer.

One of the best ways to enjoy the sights of Vancouver is by boat. Being a coastal city, Vancouver is pretty much surrounded by water. Beit the Pacific Ocean or the Fraser River, boating in Vancouver offers by far the best use of your travelling time.

If you do not have access to a boat of your own, there are several places around town to rent them. I have found Granville Island Boat rentals to be the best place for renting boats in Vancouver. Located right outside Bridges Restaurant on Granville Island, Granville Island Boat rentals has a great selection of rental boats to suit your needs.

Once you are finished your day on the water, sit back and enjoy the wide variety of free entertainment available on Granville Island. If renting a boat is not within your price range, you could always hop on one of the many water taxi's leaving from Granville Island, or other docks in and around Vancouver. These rides are shorter, but they are a great way to get to and from various vancouver destinations such as Stanley Park, Vanier Park, Science World and Mario's Gelati (Home of the Best Italian Gelato in Vancouver)

Mario's Gelati

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Granville Island Boat Rentals

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Science World

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Stanley Park - The Jewel of Vancouver

Just a little west of the transvestites on rollerblades, you will find Stanley Park. In the summertime you will find the park swarming with tourists from around the world, so much so, walking around the seawall on a sunny day can be more of an obstacle course than a Beijing market on a Saturday afternoon. That being said, the view is absolutely breathtaking.

Second only to the North Shore mountains and Whitcliff park, Stanley Park is truly the Jewel of Vancouver. On any sunny afternoon, you will find a mixture of office workers who have taken off work early to enjoy a walk around the park. If you prefer to ride a bike, check out Simons' Bike Shop on Robson Street. Simon is a great guy with lots of insight into what Vancouver has to offer.

Attractions include the many beached which surround the park as well as the historic Siwash rock which, according to legend is "Skalsh the unselfish," who was transformed by "Q'uas the transformer" into rock so he could live forever.

Walking around the park will give you an unimpeded view of the North Shore mountains as well as a front row seat for the parade of the cruise ships. If a close up view of nature is more your thing, a walk through the bowels of the park will bring you up close and personal with the many forms of wildlife indigenous to British Columbia.

After your walk around the seawall, you might wish to take in a dinner at one of the many restaurants inside Vancouvers' Stanley Park. If you are looking for more of a casual treat, check out the many stores on Dave and Denman Streets. Just beware of the Transvestites on rollerblades. If high fashion is your thing, Robson Street is not far away.