Vancouver's midsummer saltwater temperature rarely exceeds 65°F (18°C). If you've really got a hankering to do a saltwater swim, there are heated outdoor pools at both Kitsilano Beach and Second Beach.. Others take to the water at public aquatic centers.
The Vancouver Aquatic Centre, 1050 Beach Ave. at the foot of Thurlow Street (tel. 604/665-3424), has a heated, 50m (164-ft.) Olympic pool, saunas, whirlpools, weight rooms, diving tanks, locker rooms, showers, childcare, and a tot pool. Adult admission is C$4.25 (US$3.20). The new, coed YWCA Fitness Centre, 535 Hornby St. (tel. 604/895-5777), in the heart of downtown, has a 6-lane, 25m (82-ft.) ozonated (much milder than chlorinated) pool, steam room, whirlpool, conditioning gym, and aerobic studios. A day pass is C$13 (US$9.75) for adults. UBC's Aquatic Centre (call tel. 604/822-4522 for the pool schedule), located next door to the Student Union Building and the bus loop, has designated hours when facilities are open for public use. Adult admission is C$4 (US$3), C$3 (US$2.25) for youths and students, and C$2.25 (US$1.70) for seniors.
Canoeing & Kayaking
Both placid, urban False Creek and the incredibly beautiful 30km (19-mile) North Vancouver fjord known as Indian Arm have launching points that can be reached by car or bus. Rentals range from C$15 (US$11) per hour to C$50 (US$38) per day for single kayaks and about C$50 (US$38) per day for canoe rentals. Customized tours range from C$70 to C$110 (US$53-US$83) per person.
Ecomarine Ocean Kayak Centre, 1668 Duranleau St., Granville Island (tel. 888/425-2925 or 604/689-7575; www.ecomarine.com), has 2-hour, daily, and weekly kayak rentals, as well as courses and organized tours. The company also has an office at the Jericho Sailing Centre, 1300 Discovery St., at Jericho Beach (tel. 604/222-3565). In North Vancouver, Deep Cove Canoe and Kayak Rentals (at the foot of Gallant St.), Deep Cove (tel. 604/929-2268; www.deepcovekayak.com), is an easy starting point for anyone planning an Indian Arm run. It offers hourly and daily rentals of canoes and kayaks as well as lessons and customized tours.
Lotus Land Tours, 2005-1251 Cardero St. (tel. 800/528-3531 or 604/684-4922; www.lotuslandtours.com), runs guided kayak tours on Indian Arm. Tours come complete with transportation to and from Vancouver, a barbecue salmon lunch, and incredible scenery. Operator Peter Loppe uses very wide stable kayaks, perfect for first-time paddlers. One-day tours cost C$145 (US$109) for adults, C$110 (US$83) for children.
Sailing
Navigating sailboats in the unfamiliar surrounding straits is unsound unless you enroll in a local sailing course before attempting it. Knowing the tides, currents, and channels is essential. Multiday instruction packages sometimes include guided Gulf Island cruises.
If all you want is to get out for a day, you can charter a 3-hour yacht cruise with Cooper Boating Centre, 1620 Duranleau St. (tel. 604/687-4110; www.cooperboating.com), which offers cruises, boat rentals, and sail-instruction packages on 6m to 13m (20 ft.-43 ft.) boats. Boat rentals start at C$69 (US$52) for a half-day rental in the off season and go as high as C$600 (US$450) for a full-day rental in the peak season, depending on the size of the boat.
White-Water Rafting
Located just a 2 1/2-hour drive from Vancouver, on the wild Nahatlatch river, Reo Rafting (tel. 800/736-7238 or 604/461-7238; www.reorafting.com) offers some of the best guided white-water trips in the province, at a very reasonable price. One-day packages -- including breakfast, lunch, all your gear, and 4 to 5 hours on the river -- start at C$120 (US$90). Multiday trips and group packages are also available.
Only an hour and a half drive from the city is Chilliwack River Rafting (tel. 800/410-7283; www.dowco.com/chilliwackrafting), which offers half-day trips on the Chillwack River and in the even hairier Chillwack Canyon. The cost is C$89 (US$67) for adults and C$69 (US$52) for children.
Whistler also offers excellent rafting on the Green River.
Windsurfing
Windsurfing is not allowed at the mouth of False Creek near Granville Island, but you can bring a board to Jericho and English Bay beaches or rent one there. Equipment sales, rentals (including wet suits), and instruction can be found at Windsure Windsurfing School, 1300 Discovery St., at Jericho Beach (tel. 604/224-0615). Rentals start at C$18 (US$14) per hour, wetsuit and life jacket included.
