A hen party on a pontoon: planning a Vancouver boat day
Afternoon light on Indian Arm, a grazing board, a swim and a waterfall photo. A planning guide for a hen party on our 25-foot pontoon.
A pontoon gives a hen party the thing restaurants can’t: your own space for four or eight hours, with mountains on both sides and a swim whenever you want one.
Choose the afternoon
A 4-hour block from about 2 pm to 6 pm catches the best light on Indian Arm. The sun drops behind the North Shore mountains and the water turns gold, which makes for better photos than midday glare. It also ends in time for dinner.
Food on board
Grazing boards travel well. So do wraps, fruit and a box from Honey Doughnuts in Deep Cove. Bring plenty of water and soft drinks.
Alcohol stays on land. BC law only allows open liquor on boats with permanent sleeping, cooking and toilet facilities, and our pontoon has none. Save the bubbles for dinner.
Decorations
Bring decorations that tie on and come off clean: banners, balloons on ribbons, flower garlands. Leave the confetti and glitter at home. It ends up in the water and in the bilge, and we charge for the clean-up.
The skipper
Someone in your group drives the boat and stays sober for the trip. They need to be 25 or older and hold a Pleasure Craft Operator Card, or complete the Transport Canada checklist with us at the dock. Pick someone other than the bride.
A route for the afternoon
Head north to Twin Islands for a swim while the water still holds the day’s warmth. Idle back down to Deep Cove for ice cream and a lap of the cove in the evening light.
Pack list
- Hats and sunscreen, because the water doubles the glare
- A warm layer each for the ride home
- Towels and a change of clothes for the swimmers
- A dry bag for phones
Book an afternoon block and pick “Hen party” as the occasion.