Vancouver: False Creek Ferries
A vital aspect of Vancouver is its waterways, but not only because of the C$200 billion of trade that passes through the port each year; the 115,000 jobs the ports substains; and the multi-million dollar prices properties with water views attract.
They also create a vast number of water-based activities, with 10 marinas offering about 1,500 marina berths and countless recreational pursuits such as fishing, canoeing, dragon boat racing, whale watching, kayaking, sailing, stand-up paddle boarding, countless cruises, and much, much more.
The Vancouver region is divided by waterways, with Victoria (the capital of British Columbia) based on the 12,000-square-mile Vancouver Island, which is more than 12 miles or 20 kilometres across Burrard Inlet and the Straight of Georgia.
They also create a vast number of water-based activities, with 10 marinas offering about 1,500 marina berths and countless recreational pursuits such as fishing, canoeing, dragon boat racing, whale watching, kayaking, sailing, stand-up paddle boarding, countless cruises, and much, much more.
The Vancouver region is divided by waterways, with Victoria (the capital of British Columbia) based on the 12,000-square-mile Vancouver Island, which is more than 12 miles or 20 kilometres across Burrard Inlet and the Straight of Georgia.
Burrard Inlet and Vancouver Harbour divide North and West Vancouver from the rest of the city, with Stanley Park and Downtown Vancouver being "separated" from the rest of the city by False Creek. In the centre of False Creek is the famous Granville Island Public Markets and creative workshops. Further south, the Fraser River divides the city from Richmond and other suburbs.
One of the most fun, fascinating and beneficial uses of the waterways we experienced is the False Creek ferry network. Although there is train tunnel and a road bridge to Granville Island and beyond, the fastest and most encomical way to travel across or along False Creek is by ferry.
There are two main ferry operators: Aquabus, which has been operating more than 30 years and has 13 bright Rainbow-colored boats; and the original ferry boat operators False Creek Ferries, who have been providing a cruising and ferry service along these waters for more than 35 years.
One of the most fun, fascinating and beneficial uses of the waterways we experienced is the False Creek ferry network. Although there is train tunnel and a road bridge to Granville Island and beyond, the fastest and most encomical way to travel across or along False Creek is by ferry.
There are two main ferry operators: Aquabus, which has been operating more than 30 years and has 13 bright Rainbow-colored boats; and the original ferry boat operators False Creek Ferries, who have been providing a cruising and ferry service along these waters for more than 35 years.
The False Creek Ferries are not only a fast and inexpensive way to get around, they are also offer a network of unique and cute boats that take up to 12 passengers and run regularly between the 11 stops along the creek. We both agreed that our grandkids would have loved to have jumped on board because they were almost like something out of a fairytale.
However they were extremely safe and remarkably comfortable, except when I forgot to duck my head at one point!
It was a 15-minute stroll from our hotel in Downtown Vancouver to the Yaletown Dock, where we got an unlimited day pass for only a few dollars. From there the ferries head east under the Cambie Bridge to the Plaza of Nations Dock, which gives access to the the main sports stadiums and Rogers Arena, as well as to the Village Dock, giving access to Science World and the former Olympic Village.
However they were extremely safe and remarkably comfortable, except when I forgot to duck my head at one point!
It was a 15-minute stroll from our hotel in Downtown Vancouver to the Yaletown Dock, where we got an unlimited day pass for only a few dollars. From there the ferries head east under the Cambie Bridge to the Plaza of Nations Dock, which gives access to the the main sports stadiums and Rogers Arena, as well as to the Village Dock, giving access to Science World and the former Olympic Village.
We took the western route, as we were keen to see the Granville Island Public Markets (above right), but also visited the nine other docks, going under two more bridges and past the Giants of Granville Island silos (above left) all the way to the Maritime Museum dock, where there was a popular beach and dog recreation area (below left).
Cash-only tickets can be purchased on board the ferries or there is a ferry tent at the Granville Island dock.
Whether you are looking to get to many of the attractions along False Creek; need an inexpensive ride to explore all that Granville Island has to offer; or just want to take a leisurely cruise along False Creek - which is actually a much larger waterway than most "creeks" - to get a different view of the city skyline (below right), then you should contact False Creek Ferries.
Just remember that tickets between the two ferry services are not interchangable. False Creek Ferries have the blue and white boats; Aquabus features the rainbow-colored ferries.
Cash-only tickets can be purchased on board the ferries or there is a ferry tent at the Granville Island dock.
Whether you are looking to get to many of the attractions along False Creek; need an inexpensive ride to explore all that Granville Island has to offer; or just want to take a leisurely cruise along False Creek - which is actually a much larger waterway than most "creeks" - to get a different view of the city skyline (below right), then you should contact False Creek Ferries.
Just remember that tickets between the two ferry services are not interchangable. False Creek Ferries have the blue and white boats; Aquabus features the rainbow-colored ferries.