The Scenic Seaside Canadian Village Where Mountains, Rainforests, And Beaches Collide

Just a 40-minute drive from downtown Vancouver, you'll find Deep Cove, a waterfront village that was once a quiet fishing town and is now a charming community and ecological treasure trove with rainforest, mountains, and the ocean in its vicinity. The area surrounding Deep Cove presents some of the best scenery around Vancouver, with hiking trails leading to spectacular viewpoints, as well as beaches, forests, and a waterfront park. Nestled at the foot of one of North America's southernmost fjords — Indian Arm — Deep Cove is the perfect place to reset. 

The peaceful community has a relaxing aura, although, for the more adventurous, Deep Cove offers the opportunity to hike, kayak, paddleboard, and explore the wilderness, which is teeming with incredible plant and animal life. In Deep Cove town center you'll find cute boutiques and bistros, with restaurants offering regional delicacies prepared from local produce. Deep Cove also greatly values art and culture and is home to galleries and a local theater.

Though Deep Cove seems like a universe away from Vancouver, the journey from the city is relatively simple. To get there by car take Highway 1 onto Dollarton Highway, which extends all the way to Deep Cove. It can be difficult to find a parking spot within the area so you are advised to arrive early if driving. The #211 bus from Burrard Station also goes directly to Deep Cove, a more eco-friendly option. Alternatively, Viator offers guided tours of Deep Cove, which makes a trip here a lot more convenient as the sheer amount of activities on offer can leave visitors overwhelmed.

With the Viator Kayaking Vancouver Tour, you'll discover some of Deep Cove's highlights, as well as get to know the Pacific Northwest scenery, via the river. This tour begins at Deep Cove, where you'll get an introduction to this charming town. Pick up a doughnut from Honey Doughnuts and Goodies before heading to the Deep Cove Kayak Center to pick up your boat and begin the river adventure. The tour includes a three-hour kayak excursion where you'll experience the surrounding mountains and thick forestry with a stunning 360-degree view from the water. Don't worry if you're not a pro, the staff at Deep Cove Kayak Center can provide tips for beginner kayakers. 

After ample time on the river, this tour will introduce you to Deep Cove by land, as you embark on part of the Baden Powell Trail from Panorama Park to Quarry Rock. This rugged but well-maintained trail is an extremely scenic 45-minute walk that leads to the rocky bluff of Quarry Rock — an incredible vantage point to survey the Indian Arm fjord and the surrounding mountains. After this, the tour will take you to Panorama Park, where you can enjoy Deep Cove's picturesque shoreline and sit down for a picnic before heading to Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge.

This narrow 160-foot-high suspension bridge is part of the Baden Powell Trail. It hangs over a raging waterfall and canyon at the stunning Lynn Canyon Park, another of Deep Cove's natural highlights, and a hiker's paradise. The suspension bridge leads off onto more hiking trails within the park, but if you prefer to relax and unwind you can also visit the park's cafe or Ecology Center before heading to the next stop on the tour.

After getting your fill of forest, this tour will lead you through some more of Deep Cove's treasures including Stanley Park, where you'll experience the area's rainforest, Parkside Beach, another picturesque hotspot for watersports should you wish to extend your visit, before finally returning to Deep Cove. The town's small sandy beach is the perfect way to end an action-packed day at this ecological paradise, as you watch the sunset along Deep Cove's pier and marina.