Evergreen and equally gorgeous is home to some of the most spectacular scenic spots in British Columbia, Canada, praised by many for its wonderful rocky mountains and skiing destinations.
The coastal port of Vancouver is one of the most vibrant cities in the world, with a spectacular scene, a vibrant calendar of events and cultural diversity that brings life to the city’s neighbourhoods.
Here, we want to take you to the best day trips from Vancouver to avoid the city clamour and experience the real beauty of Canada’s nature and wildlife. Vancouver is an ideal destination for Spring Vacation.
Must Read: Best places to visit in Canada
Now let’s swing and discover the best day trips from Vancouver.
Before making you crazy for the places, want to make a request that when you go to these places then take time to relax and enjoy the day trip with whom you have gone and have some quality moments.
1. The Bowen Island
The Island is located about 25 km northwest of Vancouver. This island is located in such a place where you will be away from the hustle and bustle of the city. This island is only 6 km wide and 12 km long due to which you can explore it comfortably in one day.
Mountain Biking, Kayaking, Hiking, and Boating all these things happen here. Here are some popular beaches like Tunstall Bay, Bowen Bay and, Sandy Beach. This island is one of the popular things for which Canada is known for.
There are two types of hikes here, one easy and one difficult. Easy one’s name is Killarney Lake Trail which takes 2 hours round-trip covering 9 km’s and the tough one is Mount Gardner which takes 7 hours of round-trip covering 17 km. To go to Bowen Island you will get a ferry from the Horseshoe Bay which will deliver you in 20 minutes.
2. Horseshoe Bay
Horseshoe Bay, the gateway to Howe Sound and the Sunshine Coast and one of the best day trips from Vancouver. It is a small village located in West Vancouver at the western tip. It is a seaside playground where you can enjoy many outdoor activities and experience the seaside deck chair to take stunning views of Bay.
Apart from this, going away from Horseshoe Bay you can travel by companies like Seawall’s Marina and Sea Dragon Charters to enjoy Sea Safari, Scuba Diving, Kayaking, and cruising.
Horseshoe Bay is a very beautiful place to eat and spend time in the afternoon. There are some good restaurants in the village, one of which is Trolls Restaurant whose famous food is Oyster Burger. There is a rocky beach that also has a playground and is facing towards the marine.
3. Howe Sound
Howe Sound is about 30 minutes northwest from Vancouver. This place is considered to be one of the most beautiful places in the Lower Mainland and top day trips from Vancouver destinations. If you want a unique experience of this natural beauty then drive a boat around Howe Sound.
One of the best things during a day trip in summers to see the lazy seals that hang out on the palm rocks. The only way to see these tiny rock stones and wildlife is from a boat.
Anyone can rent a small motorboat from Horseshoe Bay to come here. The cost of renting a boat is very low, you don’t have to pay a lot amount.
4. The Sunshine Coast
It is situated in the Pacific Northwest, it’s a wonderful coastal area that stretches from Langdale to Lund, with numerous interesting communities in between.
If you have the time, this is an extraordinary spot for a coastal road day trips from Vancouver. Many visitors will come to Sunshine Coast from Horseshoe Bay by taking the ferry but you can take floatplane instead ferry depending on the time of year.
In Case, you have only one day, then you give all your attention and time to Langdale and Hopkins Landing. It’s only a short distance away from the Langdale ferry terminal. This is a very great place for kayaking, swimming, and beachcombing.
5. Squamish
Squamish is a place where you can do outdoor adventures during the day trips from Vancouver. You can come to Squamish very easily from Vancouver taking a drive and seeing the outstanding view. No matter how many days trip you have made from Vancouver to Squamish, you will not be able to explore the entire Squamish.
There are lots of adventurous things to do like rock climbing
at the Stawamus chief and then Via Ferrata from the summit lodge. Squamish Spit is a good place to go if you like, getting in the water and you can do windsurfing and, kitesurfing on the west coast. There are lots of hiking trails and parks which are family-friendly.
6. Gondola
Sea to Sky Gondola is a ten minutes gondola ride that takes you to the mountains and gives you an experience of Howe Sound and the surrounding coastal mountains. This is must visit place in your bucket list of best day trips from Vancouver.
There are many things to see and to do once you reached the top. Sky Pilot Bridge is the best thing to do there, you will surely be very happy when you will do that it will give you butterflies in your stomach.
There are lots of hiking trails available, depending upon the individual’s choice and skills. In a case, If a person does not like doing adventurous things then there is an outstanding view to sit, have lunch and just enjoy the moment.
7. Whistler
Whistler is located 125 km north of Vancouver. You can visit Whistler in any season. It is a 4 season resort town with more than 8,000 acres of terrain spread across multiple mountain peaks.
Take a 360 degrees experience. This is an activity you can add to your plan for fun in summers. Give at least three to four hours of experience. Feel better taking a massage at a traditional Scandinave spa.
Whistler becomes the top summer destinations for day trips from Vancouver. It boasts over 50 km of high alpine hiking trails, multiple golf courses, epic zip-line courses, ATV and off-road tours, paragliding and bungee jumping, nature and wildlife tours, summer bobsleigh at the Whistler Slide Centre, endless biking trails and several freshwater lakes.
8. Harrison Hot Springs
Harrison Hot Springs is a resort that is known for its hot springs, lake, and mountain landscapes. It is located about 2.5 hours from Vancouver. Harrison Hot Springs is famous for 5 Hotsprings pools and restaurants.
This lake gives every kind of water sport you can imagine, from kayaking to boating to its massive floating waterpark. The park entrance is located just off the Trans-Canada Highway and it’s only a 10-minute hike from Trans-Canada to the waterfalls.
If you are coming in summer you can also experience Bridal Falls Waterpark it is a small water park.
9. Mount Robson Provincial Park
Mount Robson Park is one of the biggest protected places on the planet. This place is also a part of the Canadian Rockies and also one of the country’s most perfect places for hiking.
This park is home to some virgin valleys totally unharmed by human effect and it likewise shows the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, Mount Robson itself.
Expect a good-looking path and a well-known alpine panoramic view as you separate from city life and grasp nature on this day trips from Vancouver.
10. Haida Gwaii
Make the most of British beach. British Columbia has to offer and spend the island area around Haida Gawai, a chain of islands off the west coast. Comprised of over 450 islands, you will find camping opportunities, hiking trails, kayaking, swimming and everything else you could possibly expect to escape from an island town.
For those who are wishing to immerse themselves in local history, you can experience First Nations culture at the Haida Heritage Center in the village of Calanglagae.
11. Salt Spring Island
A splendid domestic island, Salt Spring is filled with farms, homes and even studios of many artists, who have moved to green and hilly areas. It is indeed a pleasant escape from the city life of Vancouver on a sunny day and you can reach it by catching a non-stop ferry from Tsawwassen. Its the most visited spring vacation destination in Canada and the world too.
Activities on Salt Spring Island range from sampling at locally owned farms to visiting walk-in art studios and seeing some artists at work. For some city comforts, should you miss them, head to the main city of the Ganges where you can explore the waterfront community and check out the shops, restaurants, and galleries?
12. Bridal Falls
Less than two hours from Vancouver, you will find the city of Bridal Falls proudly catering for visitors who explore the base of the famous Bridal Veil Falls.
An amazing place to have a picnic in summer, the 60 meter high waterfalls are loved by the locals and the travelers are the same due to the serene environment nestled in the forest.
The highlight, however, is during the winter, when temperatures drop and freeze themselves, leading to icy dreams, which attract many attractive visitors in the summer.
13. Lighthouse Park
Situated in a residential area just 40 minutes from the center of Vancouver, Lighthouse Park is a spectacular picturesque location based on a lush water-view lighthouse. It is one of the best romantic day trips from Vancouver.
A popular place for the couple due to its romantic setting, it is the perfect place to enjoy a picnic at sunset and close enough to the city where you do not need to leave early.
For those wanting something more active, the area also has several hiking trails, as well as several rock climbing spots.
Conclusion
Hope, After the long discussion on best day trips from Vancouver, you must be a little excited to visit Vancouver. All the places that we mentioned in this blog are very attractive and surely you will get the great experience there.
This 15 days trip to the outskirts of Vancouver will be your best trip to date. If you enjoyed the blog do like, share and comment right below in the comment section.
