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Things to do in Coal Harbour

Our most recommended things to do in Coal Harbour

Vancouver: Floatplane and Capilano Suspension Bridge Combo

1. Vancouver: Floatplane and Capilano Suspension Bridge Combo

Take a 20-minute seaplane tour departing from downtown Vancouver and get a spectacular aerial view of the city. Enjoy a visit to the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park with an admission ticket and explore the Cliffwalk, Capilano River, and more on this combo tour. Combine your seaplane tour with a visit to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. You will get the benefit of a complimentary shuttle transfer from downtown Vancouver to the park.  Located 70 meters above the Capilano River and measuring 140 meters in length, this bridge has been used as a crossing since 1889. Also, discover the new Cliffwalk which follows a precipice along the Capilano River on a maze-like series of bridges, stairs, and platforms through rainforest vegetation.

Vancouver: 24 or 48-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Pass

2. Vancouver: 24 or 48-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Pass

See the sights of Vancouver at your own pace with a 24- or 48-hour pass for the hop-on-hop-off sightseeing bus. Choose from a variety of options to suit your interests. Listen to an informative on-board commentary to help you choose where to hop off. Experience the hustle and bustle of downtown Vancouver and the serene natural beauty of the local parks. Jump off at Science World or indulge your passion for sport at the Olympic Village. Stroll the rainforest pathways of Stanley Park, enjoy a bite to eat on Granville Island, visit the iconic Gastown Steam Clock or shop 'til you drop on Robson Street. Benefit from multiple stops, including Coal Harbour, English Bay Beach, Chinatown, and the Sports District. Make the most of your experience in Vancouver with additional options. Choose experiences like seeing the city from the water on a relaxing harbor cruise, or taking a tour of the city in the evening.

Classic Vancouver Panorama Tour by Seaplane

3. Classic Vancouver Panorama Tour by Seaplane

Enjoy the most popular tour of Vancouver and the North Shore Mountains. This ideal introduction to seaplane aviation departs from downtown Vancouver’s Coal Harbour and provides a complete aerial view of the city, as well as its surrounding parks and beaches. As if the scenery isn't enough, the thrill of flying will really carry you away. The exhilarating spray of the water is always a highlight during take-off and landing. With over 50 aircraft currently, your hosts operate the largest all-seaplane fleet and the first carbon neutral airline in North America. DeHavilland DHC-3 Turbine Single Otters and Twin Otters service regularly scheduled flights between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. DHC-2 Beavers service the Gulf Islands. Cessna 185 aircraft are available for charter.

Vancouver Bicycle Tour

4. Vancouver Bicycle Tour

Explore Vancouver's highlights on a guided bike tour to the city's top sights and districts. See more in less time as you peddle by Beaver Lake and along English Bay. Take a ferry across False Creek and view the Olympic Village complex and Gastown.  Meet your group at the bike rental shop in downtown Vancouver and put on your helmet. Listen to a safety briefing before taking off along flat, protected bikeways. Travel at a leisurely pace, allowing you to soak up the city's vibrant culture. Start with a tour of the world-famous Stanley Park including the stunning seawall and the mesmerizing forested trails within. Wave to the beavers at Beaver Lake and marvel at the towering trees. Cycle through English Bay, home to some of the hottest beaches in the city. Hop on a ferry over False Creek to discover amazing food and art at Granville Island. You'll have a one-hour break, leaving you time to find some lunch in the area. Travel along the seawall that follows False Creek. Take in the city skyline framed by the North Shore Mountains. Pass by the Olympic Village complex and Science World. Hear about Expo ’86 and the 2010 Winter Olympics. Finally, travel back in time to check out Vancouver’s vibrant Chinatown including a visit to the Dr Sun Yat Sen Chinese Gardens and history-rich Gastown. Learn about the city’s beginnings as a logging outpost and hear about infamous Gassy Jack. See Vancouver's first pub before heading to the seawall and making your way back to the bike shop through Coal Harbor. One last look at waterfront provides a great view of marinas and seaplanes taking off and landing.

Vancouver: Extended Panorama Flight by Seaplane

5. Vancouver: Extended Panorama Flight by Seaplane

Discover even more of the majestic mountains and expansive coastline that surround the breathtaking city of Vancouver, as you fly high over the scenery on this 35-minute flight. This extended version of the Vancouver Panorama tour offers the same sights before following the coast further north towards Whistler, then looping back down over the Islands and exploring the incredible Sunshine Coast. With currently over 50 aircraft, Harbour Air and Westcoast Air operate the largest all-seaplane fleet in the world. DeHavilland DHC-3 Turbine Single Otters and Twin Otters service regularly scheduled flights between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. DHC-2 Beavers service the Gulf Islands, and Cessna 185 aircraft are available for charter. Take your chance to experience Vancouver's beautiful landscapes from a bird's-eye-view!

Sea Vancouver Waterfront Sightseeing Adventure

6. Sea Vancouver Waterfront Sightseeing Adventure

Choose from a morning or afternoon departure and slip into the required red cruiser suit to get a safety tutorial. Then, board the open-air, purpose-built zodiac boat and set off on a scenic ride through Burrard Inlet. Get up close to native wildlife and listen to the expert commentary as you navigate the waterways at speeds up to 30 miles per hour (50 kilometers per hour). Admire the lush greenery of Coal Harbour, North Shore, English Bay, False Creek and Stanley Park, looking for dolphins, harbor seals and bald eagles along the way. Marvel at the skyscrapers of British Columbia’s largest city as you cruise back to harbor.

Vancouver: Floatplane Transfer between Vancouver & Victoria

7. Vancouver: Floatplane Transfer between Vancouver & Victoria

Make your way to Coal Harbour, part of Burrard Inlet near Canada Place, and board a seaplane to take you to your next journey in Victoria, BC. Located right along Vancouver’s iconic seawall, the terminal features a passenger lounge with panoramic views of Stanley Park and the North Shore mountains, a gift shop, and the fully licensed Cockpit Café. From Burrard Inlet, ascend for bird’s-eye views of the green towers of Lion’s Gate Bridge and the Brockton Peninsula of Stanley Park. Flying south over the Salish Sea, look down on a cluster of the Gulf Islands dotted with beaches, forests, and fields of gold and green. After 35 minutes in the air, your pilot will land in Victoria’s Inner Harbour. Along the harbor, visit the majestic ivy-covered Fairmont Empress hotel and pass the BC Parliament Buildings which, at night, twinkle with thousands of lightbulbs. Victoria's floating terminal boasts some of the city’s best waterfront views and is located beside The Flying Otter Grill and its new extended outdoor patio (the Otter Deck), serving fresh west coast cuisine for lunch and dinner. This journey is also available in the opposite direction, from Victoria to Vancouver.

Vancouver: Fly & Dine to Bowen Island

8. Vancouver: Fly & Dine to Bowen Island

Escape by seaplane from downtown Vancouver’s vibrant Coal Harbour to tranquil Bowen Island for a memorable seaside dinner and enjoy a West Coast style meal at Doc Morgan’s restaurant. Enjoy ocean views before boarding the ferry from Snug Cove to Horseshoe Bay and be met by your car service. Then experience the city lights as you return to downtown Vancouver. This truly west coast evening will surely become one of the highlights of your trip. Harbour Air Seaplanes started as a two airplane operation in 1982 to service the BC forestry sector and has grown into North America’s largest seaplane airline and only fully carbon-neutral airline. With a showcase fleet of Canadian-made De Havilland aircraft, enjoy flying aboard a DHC-3 Turbine Single Otter, DHC-6 Twin Otter, or DHC-2 Beaver.

The Dark Secrets of Stanley Park Tour

9. The Dark Secrets of Stanley Park Tour

Uncover the secrets of Stanley Park on a 2-hour insider walking tour with an expert guide. Explore the famous seawall, dark forested trails, historic totem poles, bizarre public art, and notorious crime scenes. See Vancouver landmarks Coal Harbour, the Lions Gate Bridge and Deadman's Island. As you stroll along the glistening shoreline and beneath towering trees, you'll hear the inside story of one of the world's most remarkable parks. Meet your guide at the fountain directly outside the Vancouver Aquarium entrance and then set off to explore Stanley Park. You'll quickly leave the tourist trail behind and take a little used path through the forest. You'll hear the tale of Captain George Vancouver before you emerge on the Stanley Park seawall for the perfect vista of the glittering downtown skyline and Coal Harbour. Following the seawall, you'll hear the tragic history of Deadman's Island as you approach the park's world-famous totem poles. A short rest stop at the totem poles gives you time to visit the bathroom, take photos, or buy a snack or water at the concession stand. A short walk later finds you admiring views of the North Shore Mountains, Burrard Inlet, and the Lions Gate Bridge. You'll take in some of the city's most loved public art, and cross a long lost cemetery hidden beneath your feet. Next, it's time to leave the seawall and head onto dark forested trails. Your guide will lead you through towering groves of giant Cedar, Hemlock and Douglas Fir, some hundreds of years old. These are trails few tourists ever step foot on - a genuine Pacific Northwest forest experience. You'll see the location of a long lost indigenous village known as Whoi Whoi. A short walk later you'll be In the heart of Stanley Park where you'll hear the story of one of Vancouver's most shocking crimes. You can catch your breath on the short stroll back to the start point. Your guide will be on-hand to answer your questions, help you plan the rest of your day, and take photos. After the tour, you can continue your adventure with a visit to the Vancouver Aquarium, or travel back to downtown to relax and remember your visit to incredible Stanley Park.

Other Sightseeing Options in Coal Harbour

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What people are saying about Coal Harbour

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 1,169 reviews

The seaplane rise was wonderful (despite the strong smell of kerosene throughout the trip). We had great views, especially of the city. The Capilano Suspension Bridge is set in a beautiful forest, with a lovely walking trail. The bridge itself isn’t for the faint hearted. The tip I received from a tourist behind me was to keep walking and look ahead. If you stop, it swings more.

The trip was in total a perfect hit! The flight was really well done and our captain reacted to the weather conditions on the day the flight took place and it was just perfect. Best thing if you combine both activities (flight and suspension bridge) :)

An amazing experience with views you can only dream of. A must do for anyone visiting Vancouver.

A fast and efficient tour! It's definitely something I'll use again when I'm traveling.

Great tours, both buses and cruise are good. I definitely recommend it.