English Bay is located in the south western corner of downtown Vancouver’s West End and is one of the popular areas for kayaking. The Vancouver Seawall runs around English Bay from Stanley Park to the northeast around False Creek.
During the warm weather this is a beach that has swimming and events like the HSBC Festival of Light, which is an annual international fireworks competition over the water. This fireworks show lasts for 45 minutes and is timed to music, to make it even more enjoyable.
While kayaking there is the Vancouver scenery and the mountains, there are cafes and restaurants. Out on the water the kayaker will see a variety of water crafts from the small pleasure boat to the large freighters carrying their loads and there is the marine life that frolics in the waters of English Bay. There are birds of all types that can be seen while kayaking and at the end of the day the Sylvia Hotel is right on the beach.
English Bay always has something exciting for the person, couple or family kayaking for the day or on a longer trip. This is one of the fun and exciting bays in Vancouver for the inexperienced or experienced kayaker, with the sites, the events, the beach, the food that is mere steps across the beach and the hotels. When kayaking in this area of Vancouver stopping on the beach to eat, does not just mean the usual beach food finds, but local catches of the day that is freshly caught.
Even during cooler weather English Bay holds excitement for the kayaker both on the beach and in the water. This is when the landscape comes alive from out on the water and the bay marine life is just as active, the ships are out on the water and it is a perfect time for a day trip or a longer kayak tour. The beaches are less crowded for a walk on the beach or to dine on the beach, take in an event or walk on the sand before returning to the water.