Vancouver, similar to other PNW hubs, offers a fantastic balance between metropolitan culture, natural corridors, and quirky communities.
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It’s a highly advanced city with great infrastructure, plenty of green space and bike lanes, and unique neighborhoods where you can find independent boutiques and eateries. While the city is grappling with a growing homelessness crisis that you’ll absolutely notice, there are concerted efforts to create infrastructure like shelters that will help address this problem.
In other words, despite its ongoing challenges, Vancouver remains a fantastic choice for vacation—especially if you want access to the great outdoors.
One of the coolest parts about visiting Vancouver is that, despite its massive size, its public transportation is functional. Between buses and rideshares, you can avoid renting a car—without giving up the chance to get outside.
Just book one of these outdoor tours in Vancouver that will get you out of the city and into nature. I’ve categorized the top options based on excursions on the water, in the mountains, and multi-stop nature tours.
Best nature tours in Vancouver for getting out on the water
Covered boat whale watching tour with free photos
Head out from Vancouver and into the great Salish Sea. You’ll be on board a three-level catamaran, meaning you can get the views you want and also manage any seasickness more easily. Whale sightings are also guaranteed.
Whale watching tour with naturist guide + sea lions, seals, and bald eagles
This whale-watching tour runs between three and five hours, depending on how much wildlife you spot. You’ll be aboard a faster vessel that’s more dynamic for whale sightings, along with sea lions, bald eagles, seals, and more. What I like about this tour is that it’s led by a naturalist, meaning you’ll learn a lot from a passionate conservationist.
Scenic boat tour through UNESCO Biosphere of Howe Sound
Vancouver is surrounded by stunning coastal channels. Howe Sound is one of the most popular thanks to its status as a UNESCO Biosphere. During this boat trip, you’ll get the chance to spot killer whales, humpback whales, sea lions, seals, and even porpoises. During your tour, you’ll also get the chance to learn about what makes Howe Sound so ecologically important.
Boat trip to Bowen Island through Howe Sound UNESCO Biosphere
Unsurprisingly, multiple nature tours in Vancouver explore Howe Sound. This is your second option: a trip to Howe Sound that includes a visit to Bowen Island. There, you can grab a snack and drink. It’s one of the longer tours of Bowen Sound, lasting around four hours.
Guided kayaking tour through Howe Sound
No need to rush through Howe Sound on a fast-moving vessel. You can also take this much slower tour that includes the chance to kayak through Howe Sound. You’ll get the same mountain views and marine wildlife sightings—just from a kayak. No previous kayaking experience is required.
1.5-Hour boat tour of English Bay
Don’t want to spend half a day on the water? This shorter tour runs for just 1.5 hours. You’ll get to zoom fast over the water as you strike out into English Bay. During your tour, you’ll also get to check out Lighthouse Park and get up-close to Vancouver’s seal colony.
Indian Arm Zodiac boat tour around Vancouver
Indian Arm is a glacial fjord that’s only around ten miles from Vancouver. This tour (aboard a specialized, inflated vessel called a zodiac boat) runs for about three hours. You’ll get to see sweeping views of Vancouver’s skyline before heading to Indian Arm to get an up-close look at the glacial fjord.
White water rafting in Squamish/Elaho
This full-day tour takes you to the nearby Elaho and Squamish Rivers, where you’ll suit up and prepare to take on the Class 3 and Class 4 rapids. That even includes a high-octane stop called the Devil’s Elbow. Aside from the white water rafting, you also get to enjoy wildlife sightings and check out nearby waterfalls.
Family-friendly white water rafting in Cheakamus
This half-day white water rafting tour is a safe thrill for the whole family. The guides are experienced at keeping activities accessible, meaning little kids and elders will do just fine on the slow-moving, beginner-friendly Cheakamus River.
Best nature tours in Vancouver for exploring the mountains
Hike a rainforest outside the city and see waterfalls
Get outside of Vancouver and into some of its most scenic rainforests. This four-hour tour also includes a visit to easy-to-reach waterfalls and a death-defying walk over one of the province’s highest suspension bridges.
Guided hiking through Grouse Canyon & Lynn Canyon
Tie up your laces and get ready for a grand hiking adventure. This seven-hour tour takes you to Vancouver’s gorgeous North Shore Mountains. You’ll get to hike the famed Grouse and Lynn Canyons. However, there’s no need to be an athlete—this tour is pretty even-keeled, and includes a ride on the Grouse Mountain Skyride gondola.
North Shore Mountain snowshoeing
If you’re visiting Vancouver during the cold, snowy months, then you might want to snowshoe through the North Shore Mountains instead. This four-and-a-half-hour tour takes you to the pristine mountains where you can hike to get better views and enjoy the snow-covered vistas.
Via Ferrata climbing experience on Whistler Mountain
Rock-climbers, assemble! This nature tour takes you to Garibaldi Provincial Park, which includes the famed Whistler Mountain. From there, you’ll take a short gondola ride before climbing the rungs of Whistler Mountain’s via ferrata. When you reach the perk, you’ll feel like you’re standing on top of the world.
Grouse Mountain skyride and tour just outside the city
Take this four-hour tour if you want a quick introduction to the mountains around Vancouver. Specifically, you’ll get to explore the well-known Grouse Mountain, enjoying its gondola, ziplining, and views. You can stick with the guide for the whole tour, or strike out on your own during free time.
Full-day Whistler tour
Want to get a full Whistler experience? This full-day tour takes you to the mountain’s top sights, which change by season. You’ll get to learn about the history, ecology, and impact of Whistler. With a knowledgeable and passionate guide at your disposal for the whole day, it’s the perfect chance to nerd out on Mother Nature.
Explore Stanley Park by bike
If you like to cycle through nature, take this easy-peasy three-hour bike tour of Stanley Park. Though located inside the city, Stanley Park spans 1,000 acres and includes off-road bike trails, sections of rainforest, and coastal views. You’ll get to hug giant trees, check out lagoons, and ride Vancouver’s best forested bike lanes.
Best nature tours in Vancouver that have multiple stops
Joffre Lakes Park and Whistler day trip
This full-day tour lets you learn about Whistler’s top sights while hiking through them. But you also get to delve further into nature, taking on Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, as well. There, you’ll find crystal-clear lakes that you can paddleboard across. This is a very small group tour, making it feel personalized and intimate.
Vancouver highlights, including rainforest hike
This nature tour in Vancouver also includes stops in the city. After you explore the Capilano Suspension Bridge and hike some of the city’s top rainforests, you’ll head back into town. Then, you can explore areas like Gastown, Chinatown, and Granville Island.
Victoria, Gulf Islands, & Butchart Gardens tour
This full-day tour includes car rides and ferry journeys. After a bit of sightseeing in downtown Vancouver, you head to Victoria by ferry. From there, you get to check out the famous Butchart Gardens. Afterwards, you have more time to explore Victoria before heading back to Vancouver.
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