Being out on the water, there is always the chance of getting wet.

Is there parking available?

Paid parking is available throughout Granville Island near our office. There's lots of space but on the weekends it can fill up, so plan to arrive a little early. You can easily catch a 10-15 min Uber or taxi from any hotel downtown.

You are welcome to wear whatever you feel comfortable in. We recommend dressing in layers, avoiding cotton/denim if possible, and wearing clothing that lets you move freely. Workout clothes are usually a great option.

Will it be wavy or rough on the water?

By sticking to only calm and protected waterways, we very rarely encounter rough water or wavy conditions.

What is your cancellation policy?

With Trip Protection, you can cancel up to 1 hour before departure for a full refund. Without Trip Protection: 100% refund for cancellations more than 7 days before departure, 50% refund between 3 and 7 days, no refund less than 3 days before departure.

What if I still have questions?

We're here to help! Simply call us at (604) 229-5929 if you have any additional questions or concerns.

Best Things to Do in Vancouver During Match Season 2026

Home » Best Things to Do in Vancouver During Match Season 2026

Make the Most of Your Time Between Matches

Vancouver is hosting big matches at BC Place this summer, and that means the city is full of visiting fans with a surprise afternoon free and no plan for filling it. The simplest answer, and one many locals would give: head to Granville Island and get on the water.

Vancouver Water Adventures has been running boat tours and jet ski rides from Granville Island since 2009 — long enough to know exactly how to make the most of a few free hours in Vancouver. Tours run 1.5 to 3 hours, and in that window you will cover more of the city’s coastline, wildlife, and scenery than most visitors see in an entire trip.

What to Look for in a Between-Match Tour

The scenery outside the stadium genuinely competes with the action inside it. Mountains behind the skyline. Harbour seals at Seal Island. Fjords you can cover in a 30-foot Zodiac at up to 80 km/h (60 km/h).

From Granville Island, open water is minutes away, and a well-timed tour fills a gap between matches with something that lasts a lot longer than a halftime show.

When choosing your tour, two things matter most: how long you have, and how far the tour goes. A 1.5-hour window calls for something close to the dock with a fixed route. A longer afternoon opens up tours that run further out into Howe Sound.

Either way, look for a tour that departs from Granville Island. It is the most central launch point in the city: 10 to 15 minutes from any downtown hotel, and it means you are not losing your match-day window travelling across the city.

Our Recommended Tours for Match Season

City and Seals Tour (1.5 hours, from $89/person) Leaves Granville Island, passes Lighthouse Park, visits the harbour seal colony at Seal Island, and returns with full views of the Vancouver skyline. The most accessible tour for a tight window between matches. See the full route and book here.

Granite Falls Tour (2.5 hours, from $139/person) Runs through Indian Arm — one of North America’s only urban fjords — and ends at a glacial waterfall surrounded by ancient rainforest. Worth it if your gap between games runs longer. Check availability for the Granite Falls Tour.

If you have a full day off between matches, the Jet Ski to Bowen Island Tour runs 4 hours through the Howe Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region with a stop on Bowen Island, and our complete guide to getting to Bowen Island covers exactly what that day looks like. (Link to that post once it’s published — flagging so it doesn’t ship as dead text.)

Both shorter tours include a certified local guide and run rain or shine.

Where to Find Us and What to Know Before You Book

Getting here:

– All tours depart from 1832 Mast Tower Lane on Granville Island, in the heart of False Creek
– 10 to 15 minutes from any downtown hotel by Uber or taxi
– A short Aquabus ride from the Yaletown waterfront
– The Granville Island Public Market is right there — worth building in extra time before or after

Before you book:

– No experience required for any tour. Certified guides handle everything, including a full safety briefing before departure
– Minimum height for boat tours is 4 feet.
– Match season is also peak summer in Vancouver, and tours regularly sell out well in advance. Book early
– Instant confirmation is available online, and you can cancel up to 1 hour before with Trip Protection if plans change

Ready to fill the gap between matches? Book the City and Seals Tour or the Granite Falls Tour and see a side of Vancouver most visiting fans never get to.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long are Vancouver Water Adventures tours? Tours range from 1.5 hours (City and Seals) to 4 hours (Jet Ski to Bowen Island). Most popular options run between 2 and 3 hours — a comfortable fit for most match-day gaps.

How do I get from BC Place to Granville Island? Your best bet is the Aquabus or False Creek Ferries: both depart from the Plaza of Nations dock, about a 9-minute walk from BC Place, and drop you at Granville Island in a few stops. Prefer to stretch your legs? The False Creek seawall walk takes about 20–25 minutes and is worth every step.

Is Granville Island easy to reach from downtown Vancouver? Yes. It is 10 to 15 minutes by Uber or taxi from any downtown hotel, and accessible by Aquabus ferry from False Creek and Yaletown.

Do I need experience to join a water tour in Vancouver? No experience required. Certified guides lead every tour and cover safety basics before departure.

Can groups book private water tours during match season? Yes. Private charters for up to 12 guests per boat are available across most tours. Recommended for fan groups who want a flexible, exclusive window on the water. Book early — private slots fill quickly in July.

How far in advance should I book during match season? As early as possible. Match weeks fall during VWA’s busiest stretch of the season. Instant confirmation is available online.

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