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Get on the water in the Tri-City
Wednesday, June 6th, 2007 by GetawayBC.com
The Tri-Cities are blessed with a diversity of natural surroundings and scenic landscapes, but one of the most defining features is the area’s abundant waterways.
With rivers, lakes and an ocean fjord, Tri-City boasts numerous ways to get on the water – and you don’t need to be an experienced boater or even own your own craft to do it. There are plenty of opportunities to rent canoes and kayaks, take a guided tour or hop on a motorized boat and let a knowledgeable guide show you the area’s hidden gems.
And a day on the water is more than a fun way to beat the summer heat. Paddling the waters of Indian Arm, Buntzen Lake or Burrard Inlet is also a unique opportunity for the family, out-of-town guests or individuals who want to join a group tour to check out Tri-City’s majestic natural surroundings.
RENT A BOAT
- Burrard Inlet
Burrard Inlet may be right in the Tri-Cities’ back yard, but checking it out from the seat of a kayak provides an abundance of new and interesting things to investigate throughout the tidal zone.
“There’s lots to look at just a stone’s throw from the dock,” said Rocky Point Kayak owner Jamie Cuthbert, who’s been renting out kayaks, giving lessons and guiding tours from his Rocky Point Park location since 2000. “There’s not a lot of effort you have to put out with a kayak, but you see things you would otherwise never see.”
Kayakers can head west to watch a herd of seals sunning themselves on the log boom near Pacific Coast Terminals; spend enough time quietly paddling the waters and you’re just as likely to see their smooth grey heads and big black eyes popping up to check you out.
Going east from the dock offers an up-close view of an osprey nest and, at high tide, get close enough to the Shoreline Trail to see the massive eagle nest perched high in the trees. If a longer trip is in your range, Cuthbert suggests a three-hour tour to Belcarra’s Admiralty Point and back or a scenic five-hour trip to the islands on the eastern shores of Indian Arm.
And that’s the beauty of kayaking, says Cuthbert – it doesn’t take a seasoned athlete to enjoy an afternoon of paddling. Renters get detailed instructions on safe passage and boating right-of-way through the channel, but kayakers and canoers should be prepared for a leisurely day on the water.
COST: Rentals include paddles, life jacket, spray skirt, safety demonstration, etc. Reservations recommended.
Prices range between $28 (single kayak, two hours, weekday) to $85 (double kayak, overnight, weekend). Canoes are $30 (two hours) to $75 (overnight).
DETAILS: Visit www.rockypointkayak.com for more info on rates, lessons and tours, or call 604-619-2837.
- Indian Arm
Ron Wood, GVRD park operations supervisor, is a big fan of this ocean fjord snaking its way along Eagle Ridge.
“With all the pocket beaches there are plenty of opportunities for kayaking and canoeing,” he said. “It’s one of the most incredible areas, and it’s relatively protected. You can spend a whole day out there and not really even realize it.”
Nestled on the shores of Belcarra Regional Park is Takaya Tours, a first nations canoe and kayak rental facility run by the Tsleil-Waututh. The “people of the inlet” offer a unique way to experience the scenery of Indian Arm, using songs and stories for a historical and culturally-inspired tour.
“Where we’re standing used to be a village 200 years ago,” said kayak manager Michelle George. A short distance away is Boulder Island, where there was a traditional burial site; around the peninsula and up Indian Arm is Jug Island. Paddling north to Twin Islands kayakers will discover what was once a popular food gathering site for local native people, and which today offers camping, outhouses and a protected lagoon ideal for landings.
“People can see pictographs on the way that have been carbon-dated to 5,000 years ago,” George explained of just a few stories kayakers on a guided tour will hear.
Takaya, which means “wolf” in Hakamelem, the Tsleil-Waututh language, is located in the picnic area of Belcarra Regional Park in a longhouse-style building. Check out the painting along the rim – a two-headed serpent that, according to first nations lore, lived in Indian Arm.
Visitors can rent kayaks or take a guided tours, ranging from two to five hours or, for those with experience, an overnight paddle/camping trip. Prefer a powered craft? Take the motorized eco-cultural exploration, where you’ll see pictographs, islands and waterfalls.
COST: Kayak rentals range from $25/two hours to $45/eight hours for a single kayak; $35/two hours to $60/eight hours for a double.
DETAILS: Visit www.takayatours.com for full details and information on group tours, or call 604-936-0236.
- Sasamat Lake
Take the family camping, canoeing or both on Sasamat Lake in Belcarra Regional Park. In a beautiful natural setting the Sasamat Outdoor Centre offers a convenient way to take the whole family out in a canoe in this small, protected lake.
Camping is in a “no frills” cabin room – all you bring is the family, toys and bedding and the outdoor centre provides canoes, kayaks, and does all the cooking and cleaning. If just a day on the water is more your family’s style, the centre has opportunities for more short-term rentals with instruction.
There are several courses and camping options available at Sasamat Lake, with instructors who can tailor a session to your particular needs.
DETAILS: Visit www.sasamat.org for information or call 604-939-2268.