Lower Mainland and Sea to Sky
Vancouver and the BC coast
Mountains, sea and the best Asian food in the country, without the cruise-ship weeks.
- City
- Coast
- Food
- Wildlife
- Mountains
Best in March–May · September–October
About this place
Vancouver is expensive and crowded from June to September, when the cruise ships dock. In spring and fall it is a different city: cherry blossoms and grey whales in March and April, dry golden weeks and salmon runs in September and October, and the Sunshine Coast and Gulf Islands within a ferry ride and nearly empty.
Things to do
Stanley Park seawall
A 9 km loop you can walk in two hours or cycle in one, with rental bikes on Denman Street. Start early to have Third Beach to yourself.
Granville Island and Richmond
Granville Island Public Market for lunch; Richmond, one SkyTrain ride south, for dumplings, hand-pulled noodles and Alexandra Road’s dozens of Chinese restaurants.
Whale watching from the harbour
Boats leave Granville Island and Steveston from March to October. Grey whales pass in spring; humpbacks and orcas are most reliable from May.
Sea to Sky to Squamish
Ninety minutes north along Howe Sound: Shannon Falls, the Sea to Sky Gondola, and the Stawamus Chief for a hard two-hour climb. Whistler beyond it is quiet and discounted between the ski and summer seasons.
Sunshine Coast by ferry
A 40-minute BC Ferries crossing from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale, then Gibsons, Sechelt and the Skookumchuck Narrows tidal rapids. Book the vehicle ferry ahead; foot passengers just turn up.
Bald eagles at Brackendale
From November to January thousands of eagles gather on the Squamish River to feed on spent salmon. The count peaks in December; watch from the dyke at Brackendale.
When to go
Late March to April
Cherry blossoms line the streets (the festival runs in April), grey whales are migrating, and hotel rates are well below summer. Expect showers.
September to mid-October
The driest, warmest stretch of the year with the cruise season winding down. Salmon return to the Capilano River in October; in dominant years the Adams River sockeye run is worth the drive.
November to February
Rain, but the eagle count, Grouse and Cypress skiing 30 minutes from downtown, and the lowest hotel prices of the year.
How to get there
Fly to Vancouver (YVR)
Nonstops from London, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Zurich, Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, Sydney and most North American hubs. The Canada Line train reaches downtown in 25 minutes.
No car needed in the city
SkyTrain, buses and the SeaBus cover Vancouver, North Vancouver and Richmond. Rent a car only for the Sea to Sky or the Sunshine Coast.
From Seattle
Amtrak Cascades runs Seattle–Vancouver in about four hours; bring your passport.
Trips here
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1 package
Vancouver and the BC coast5 nightsGulf Islands Spring Kayak Expedition
Five nights kayak-camping the Southern Gulf Islands with guides, all gear, and orca and sea-lion sightings likely.
- Adventure
- Wildlife
- Guided
From $1,780 per person
approx. £946 / €1,104
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