Questions

We launch in spring 2027, with trips from 1 March 2027. You can reserve a date now with no payment. Before launch we email you to confirm, collect your skipper’s details and take the $300 deposit.

Canada requires proof of competency to drive a powered boat. Your skipper can use a Pleasure Craft Operator Card, or complete the Transport Canada rental boat safety checklist with us at the dock. The checklist counts as proof of competency for the length of your rental. Visitors from outside Canada can also use the boating card from their own country.

25 or older, with government photo ID at the dock.

Up to 12, skipper included. Babies and children count as people.

Soft drinks, water and food, yes. Alcohol, no. BC law only allows open liquor on boats with permanent sleeping, cooking and toilet facilities, and only while they’re anchored or tied up. Our pontoon has none of those. Plan your drinks for after you dock.

Yes. Stop the engine and take the key out first, use the ladder to get back aboard, and keep swims short. Indian Arm stays cold well into summer.

Yes. Bring your own rods, tackle and traps, and make sure everyone fishing holds a BC tidal waters sport fishing licence. Crabbing is open in Indian Arm and east of Second Narrows, and closed in Vancouver Harbour. Three Rockfish Conservation Areas in Indian Arm are closed to all finfish fishing. Our fishing guide has the details.

Yes. Add up to two stand-up paddleboards when you book, at $40 each. We include paddles and lifejackets. Paddlers launch only when the boat is stopped with the engine off.

Maybe. Killer whales visit Burrard Inlet and Indian Arm a few times a year, and humpbacks have turned up in the harbour. Seals and eagles you’ll see on most trips. If a whale appears, stay at least 400 metres from killer whales and 100 metres from other whales.

Pink salmon return to the Indian River in odd-numbered years, peaking from late July through August. The next run comes in summer 2027.

Any time between 6:00 am and 8:00 pm. Book a 4-hour block for $700 starting whenever suits you, or the full day for $1,200.

Yes, up to 9 days in a row at $1,200 per day. You have the boat from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm each day and bring it back to our dock at Cates Park each evening. Want to camp overnight in the park instead? Tick the camping option when you reserve. We confirm overnight trips individually before launch.

Yes, that’s our self taxi idea. Drive to a public dock in Deep Cove, Lonsdale Quay, Port Moody or Coal Harbour, tie up, pay any posted moorage and walk in. The skipper stays sober and brings everyone back to Cates Park by your booked return time. We don’t do one-way trips.

Every trip starts and ends at our dock at Cates Park/Whey-ah-Wichen in North Vancouver, at the mouth of Indian Arm. We send directions and parking details with your confirmation.

No. Deep Cove, Belcarra Regional Park and Rocky Point Park all have washrooms within a short walk of the water. We show you where at checkout.

Yes. We carry child lifejackets, and children wear them the whole time they’re aboard. Tell us the ages when you book so we pack the right sizes.

Ask us before you book.

If there’s a wind warning or we judge it unsafe, we cancel and you pick a new date or take a full refund. If you’re already out and it gets rough, head back. We’d rather see you early than late.

Anywhere east of the Lions Gate Bridge. See where you can go for the chart and the stops.

We fill the tank before you leave, top it up when you return and charge you for what it took at the pump price. A half day around Indian Arm uses a modest amount. A Coal Harbour run uses a lot more.

We take a $1,000 card hold at the dock. If the boat comes back with damage, missing gear or cleaning beyond normal use, we deduct the cost. Otherwise we release it the same day.