Deep Cove
The village stop. Ice cream and doughnuts on Gallant Avenue, paddleboards everywhere, and a slow-speed lap past Panorama Park. Come in at idle. We show you where to tie up at checkout.
Where you can go
Our pontoon can go anywhere east of the Lions Gate Bridge: Indian Arm, Deep Cove, Belcarra, Port Moody Arm and Coal Harbour. Chart, distances and the spots to watch.
Your operating area runs from the Lions Gate Bridge in the west to the head of Indian Arm in the north and Rocky Point Park in the east. Everything in between is yours for the day. Every trip starts and ends at our dock in Cates Park/Whey-ah-Wichen, at the mouth of Indian Arm. Times below assume an easy cruise from there.
The Lions Gate Bridge is a hard limit. English Bay, the Strait of Georgia and anything west of the bridge are outside our insurance and outside your rental agreement.
Twin Islands
Two granite islands in Say Nuth Khaw Yum Provincial Park, with a tidal lagoon between them, and the best swim stop on the arm. The water drops deep close to shore, so most skippers drift. We mark the anchoring spots on your chart.
Granite Falls
The biggest waterfall on the arm, on the east shore near the head. You pass the Buntzen powerhouses on the way. The park float only takes boats under 5.5 metres, so you view the falls from the water or anchor off the beach. Plan it as a full-day trip.
Silver Falls
The arm’s second big waterfall, hidden in a steep notch at Elsay Creek. Hug the west shore and come in at idle to find it. No dock, so take your photos from the boat.
Head of the arm
The Wigwam Inn, a 1910 lodge that the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club now runs as a members’ outstation, plus Spray of Pearls Falls and the Indian River estuary. The delta shoals fast, so turn around before the water goes brown.
Belcarra
Belcarra Regional Park has picnic tables, beaches and washrooms. Bedwell Bay next door stays calm when the afternoon wind blows.
Port Moody Arm
Sheltered water, parks on both shores and Rocky Point Park at the end with its famous ice cream. The head of the inlet turns to mudflats at low tide. Stay in the channel and check the tide time we give you.
Coal Harbour and the city
Stanley Park, Canada Place and the skyline. Getting there means passing through Second Narrows, where the tide runs hard under two bridges. We give you the slack water times at checkout and you plan the run around them.
Spots to watch
- Second Narrows. Tidal current runs fast under the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge and the CN rail bridge. Cross near slack water and give tugs and ships plenty of room.
- Port of Vancouver traffic. West of Second Narrows you share the water with deep-sea ships, tugs and barges. They can’t stop or turn for you.
- Coal Harbour floatplanes. Seaplanes land and take off in the harbour. Stay out of the marked aerodrome area.
- Afternoon wind. On summer afternoons the wind often blows up Indian Arm from the south. Expect a bumpier ride home and turn back early if the chop builds.
- Rockfish Conservation Areas. Indian Arm has three, and fishing for any finfish inside them is illegal. We mark them on your chart.
- Crabbing closure. Crabbing is closed between Second Narrows and the Lions Gate Bridge.
- Cold water. Indian Arm takes snowmelt from the Coast Mountains. Keep swims short and keep weaker swimmers in lifejackets.
The chart on this page is a sketch to help you plan. It is not for navigation. The boat carries a proper chart and we go through it with your skipper.