Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
much wider than those at English Bay, and at low tide many spots come alive with shore-
birds. One particularly good bird-watching spot is Blackie Spit; walk up to the spit from
Crescent Beach.
ThecoastlineontheNorthShoreisgenerallysteepandrocky.Thebeachat Ambleside
Park, WestVancouver,istheexception.AfewrockybeachesliealongHoweSound,north
of Horseshoe Bay, including Porteau Beach, a popular scuba-diving spot.
The ocean waters around Vancouver reach a maximum temperature of 17°C (62°F)
midsummer, but swimming is still popular. All of the beaches listed here have lifeguards
ondutyfromlatespringtolatesummer.Forthenotsobrave, Second Beach and Kitsilano
Beach have outdoor pools in which the temperature is considerably warmer than the
ocean.
Swimming
AllofVancouver'sbestswimmingbeachesarealongtheshorelineofEnglishBay;10have
lifeguards on duty 11:30am-8:45pm throughout the summer. Even at the peak of summer,
the ocean water here only warms up to about 17°C (63°F), tops. If that doesn't sound en-
ticing, continue to the south end of Sunset Beach to Vancouver Aquatic Centre (1050
BeachAve.,604/665-3424,adult$5.50,senior$4,child$2.80).Insideisa50-meterheated
pool, along with saunas, whirlpools, and a small weight room.
On the south side of English Bay, Kitsilano Beach offers an adjacent public pool,
which is 137 meters (450 feet) long and was built in 1931. The beach and pool are an easy
walk from both Vanier Park and a False Creek Ferries dock.
CANOEING AND KAYAKING
Granville Island is the center of action for paddlers, and the calm waters of adjacent
False Creek make the perfect place to practice your skills. For the widest choice of
equipment, head to Ecomarine Paddlesport Centre (1668 Duranleau St., 604/689-7575,
www.ecomarine.com , 9am-6pm Sun.-Thurs., 9am-9pm Fri.-Sat. in summer, 10am-6pm
daily the rest of the year), which rents single sea kayaks (from $39 for two hours), double
sea kayaks and canoes ($49 for two hours), and stand-up paddleboards (from $29 for two
hours). This company also offers lessons and tours.
The Indian Arm of Burrard Inlet allows for a real wilderness experience, right on
the city's back doorstep. This 22-kilometer (13.7-mile) fjord cuts deeply into the North
Shore Range; the only development is at its southern end, where the suburb of Deep Cove
provides a takeoff point for the waterway. Deep Cove Canoe and Kayak Centre (2156
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