For example, you can view the city from above in a sky gondola, zipline, or on a seaplane. If you’re looking to stay on the ground, you can enjoy the gorgeous parks, including the Victoria and Buchart Gardens, Lighthouse Park and the famous Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Each of these offers unique views and great exercise.
While you’re planning your trip, make sure you pack plenty of rain gear and expect to get wet, as locals attest that it is very rainy for most of the year. If you want more local advice on where you can find the best outdoor adventures or what to bring, take a look at Crowdsourced Explorer.
If you’re looking for some unforgettable adventures in beautiful British Columbia, check out what we’ve found below.
Whale Watching at Coal Harbour
Because Vancouver is right on the west coast, there are many fun seafaring adventures you can take. There are many opportunities to do some whale-watching. One of these includes a seaplane flight. You’ll see the beautiful coast and enjoy a trip to Vancouver Island on a ferry or take a warm, whale-watching boat ride to see all sorts of marine life.
Often these cruises and whale-watching trips include some food and drink, but you may want to pack an extra snack just in case.
How to get there – seaplane and whale-watching: You’ll need to go to the seaplane terminal at Burrard Landing in Coal Harbour. You can park at 1095 W Waterfront Rd. Make sure you book ahead and check in 30 minutes before departure.
Duration: 10 hours.
Price: $425+.
How to get there – whale-watching cruise: You’ll need to book ahead of time and meet the boat at 1666 Duranleau street on Granville Island behind Bridges restaurant to check in 30 minutes before departure.
Duration: 5 hours
Price: $160+
Zip, climb & jump at Wildplay Elements Park
.This is a fun treetop adventure for the whole family. It has zip lines, ropes you have to swing on, climbing walls, nets, wobbly bridges, and other obstacles. They have bungy jumping, axe throwing, freefall jumps, and much more! There are age-appropriate activities for kids and challenging courses for adults.
How to get there: Wildplay Elements Park is 15 minutes from downtown Victoria and 1 hour from Vancouver.
Duration: A ticket gives you all day admission
Price: Prices vary, starting at $19.99 per person per activity.
Further Info: Closed from December to February.
Hike Vancouver’s Lighthouse Park
It’s a fun and popular hike on the way to see the lighthouse in Lighthouse Park. It’s a steep hike down toward the ocean and a difficult hike on the way back. The trail from the parking lot to the lighthouse viewpoint is steep. Lighthouse Park has several trails that allow you to view and explore tidal pools. Once you get to the lighthouse, you can enjoy the view, take some pictures and have a picnic.
How to get there: This park is in West Vancouver on Marine Drive, about 30 minutes from downtown. You can access the park from the car park just off Beacon Lane, but the parking lot fills up quickly! Get there early if you’re driving. There are buses that run from downtown directly here.
Duration: 3-4 Hours.
Price: Free.
Take to the slopes at Grouse Mountain
Grouse Mountain is an amazing adventure for children and adults of all ages. Once you pay for admission, you have access to a round-trip on the Skyride, the peak chairlift, and much more.
The mountain has 33 runs for skiing and snowboarding in the winter. There are 15 night runs and 4 chair lifts on the mountain. CNN Travel called one of Grouse Mountain’s runs, “The Cut,” one of the top 100 worldwide. Their ski or snowboard package includes boots with skis and poles or a snowboard and costs $55 for an adult and $32 for a child.
If you’re not visiting in the winter but you want an exciting physical challenge then you should try the Grouse Grind, which is a 1.5-mile hike up 2,830 stairs! This 2.5-hour hike takes you right up to the summit.
How to get there: Grouse Mountain is located at 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver, BC V7R 4K9, Canada.
Duration: All day.
Price: Children $36 / Adult $69 / Family $179 / Season pass $229.
Kayaking at Indian Arm
If you want an exciting kayaking adventure to the ocean, you can travel just 30 minutes outside Vancouver to take the 13.5 mile (22 km) long Indian Arm, a scenic fjord with steep sides. If you camp south of the 150-foot-tall Granite Falls you will be close enough to go kayaking along the Indian arm to go see the waterfall.
How to get there: You can access Indian Arm to begin your kayaking trip from several different locations: Deep Cove, Belcarra Regional Park, Port Moody, Barnet Marine Park, Woodlands.
Duration: Spend a few hours or a day (or even two days, if you want to camp).
Price: Campsites are free, but you will need to either bring or rent your own kayaking equipment.
Rock Climbing in Squamish
If you’re into rock climbing, Squamish is a great place just outside Vancouver to check out. The most popular place to rock climb in Squamish is at the Stawamus Chief, which is a 2296-foot (700-meter) granite monolith near Howe Sound. There are climbing challenges for all levels. Another popular place to climb, with over 250 climbing routes, is Murrin Provincial Park. It has many bolted sport routes. You can find it along Highway 99 to the west. One of the best places to climb is the Smoke Bluffs, which has traditional climbing routes. It is near downtown Squamish. If you’re interested in bouldering, you might want to check out the Grand Wall Boulders at the base of the Grand Wall of the Chief.
How to Get There: Squamish is about an hour northwest of Vancouver, following the BC-99. Buses and trains are also available.
White Water Rafting at Chilliwack
Duration: All day (or overnight trips).
Price: White water rafting tours with Chilliwack River Rafting start at $109. Book online via their website.
Whistler Bungee
If you’re looking for a thrill, you might consider one of the Vancouver area’s more extreme activities: Whistler Bungee. You’ll jump and fall through the air for over 160 feet (50 meters), right over the Cheakamus River. Not only is it adrenaline-inducing, but the basalt cliffs, forest, and mountain peaks of Black Tusk create beautiful scenery.
How to get there: You’ll find the bridge is located on the east side of Hwy 99.
Duration: a couple of hours.
Price: $130 per person (includes tax). You need to book online in advance.
For more local advice on fun activities in Vancouver, check out Crowdsourced Explorer.
Have you been to Vancouver? Got any questions, comments, updates or corrections? Let us know by commenting below.
