Every way to get on the water in Squamish, BC — from a motorized 18-foot RIB you skipper yourself on Howe Sound, to skippered wildlife tours, to canoes and paddleboards delivered to your launch — or picked up at their Squamish base if you'd rather haul your own. One page, all the options, real local operators.
Questions? Call or text (604) 849-8898 — a local answers.
North America's southernmost fjord starts at the Squamish waterfront. Granite walls, glassy morning water, and shorelines you simply cannot reach by road. These are the classic runs from the Squamish launch:
A short run south past Watts Point — mining-museum shoreline, mellow water on most mornings, and a good first-leg confidence builder.
Marine park, dive site, and one of the prettiest stretches of the Sound. Sunset here off the water is a Sea to Sky rite of passage.
The big triangular landmark mid-Sound. Quiet bays, seal haul-outs, and eagles working the cliffs — bring the long lens.
Dozens of beaches and coves between Squamish and Lions Bay have no trail and no road. A boat is the only ticket in.
Squamish Water Taxi rents an 18-foot inflatable RIB with a 50 HP engine, departing from Squamish on Howe Sound. It’s a bareboat rental — you skipper it yourself. Book online or call (604) 849-8898.
For a motorized boat, yes — Canadian law requires proof of boating competency, most commonly a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) or a recognized equivalent. No license is needed for canoes, kayaks, or paddleboards, and none is needed on skippered trips where the captain drives.
Two easy routes onto the water: book a skippered water taxi trip or tour where a licensed captain does the driving, or rent a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard from Squamish Canoe Rental — paddle craft need no license at all.
RIB rates vary by season and rental length — check live availability when you book online or call (604) 849-8898 for a quote. Skippered wildlife tours start at $375 for up to 3 guests. Canoe and paddleboard rates are listed at squamishcanoerental.com.
Life jackets for everyone aboard, navigation tools, all Transport Canada required safety equipment, and a local orientation covering conditions, fuel, and recommended routes before you head out.
Squamish is one of the best water sports towns in BC — paddling the lakes, exploring the Sound, kiteboarding off the Spit. If your day involves getting a boat, a board, or a paddle in the water, one of the three options above covers it.
Book the RIB online in a couple of minutes, or call a real local who knows the Sound and can point you at the right boat for your day.