Vancouver tours and Sunshine Coast day trips
Roberts Creek is not part of Vancouver. You reach it by BC Ferries from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale, then by bus or car along Highway 101. That gives you two kinds of trips. Vancouver tours start in or near the city, such as whale boats from Steveston in Richmond. Coast day trips are ones you plan yourself, with the ferry, the local bus and a few stops.
The two combine well if you have two or three days. Put a boat tour on one day and the coast on another.
Our picks: Vancouver tours compared
For a first visit the whale cruise with photos is a safe pick, because a repeat trip is included if no whales appear. The seaplane flights are for the view from the air: 30 minutes for a quick look, 45 minutes if you want Howe Sound and the islands. Take the Richmond whale boat if you start south of the city, and the waterfront tour for a short outing in town.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Extended seaplane flight over Howe Sound
- Sustainability fee included
- Digital guide app
- Luggage storage
A scenic flight over Howe Sound and the islands, 45 minutes in total including boarding and landing. It is a flight only, with no stop in a coastal village.
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Whale and wildlife cruise with photos
- Photo package
- Sighting guarantee with repeat trip
- Hot drinks
A guide with live commentary, and a nature guide for children on board. Whales are not certain on the first outing; the repeat trip covers that.
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Half-day whale watching with a guide
- Windbreakers provided
- Water and cereal bar
- Repeat trip, no expiry date
A naturalist guide with live commentary; the boat leaves from Richmond, south of Vancouver. Children get an activity book.
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Sea to Sky Gondola and Whistler day trip
- Sea to Sky Gondola ticket
- Shared transport both ways
- Pickup at selected hotels
A long day along Howe Sound to Whistler. It does not go to Roberts Creek and does not use a Sunshine Coast ferry.
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Mountain and coast seaplane flight
- Taxes and fees included
- Digital guide app
A short panorama flight over mountains and coast. The 30 minutes include boarding, take-off and landing, so the time in the air is shorter.
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Waterfront sightseeing: city and nature
- Photo package
- Equipment provided
A short guided tour along the Vancouver waterfront that mixes city views and nature.
Check availability →Vancouver tours and day trips
Whale watching, sightseeing and day trips from Vancouver, with live prices and availability.
Vancouver tour or coast day trip?
2026 examples for adults. Each row is one product or route.
| Option | Starts | Time | 2026 price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whale watching, large Zodiac | Steveston, Richmond | 3–5 hours | CAD 195 plus taxes and fees |
| Whale watching, small Zodiac | Steveston, Richmond | 3–5 hours | CAD 205 plus taxes and fees, minimum age 8 |
| Ferry and bus day trip | Horseshoe Bay | 40 minutes on the water, plus waiting and bus time | CAD 16.45 ferry and CAD 2 per bus ride |
| Ferry with your own car | Horseshoe Bay | 40 minutes on the water | CAD 58.40 for a car up to 20 ft without passengers, plus CAD 16.45 per adult |
| Floatplane to Sechelt | Vancouver harbour | Summer service only | Check the current fare |
For most visitors the large Zodiac is the simplest whale trip, and ferry plus bus is the simplest way to see the coast without a car. Take the car if you want to reach trailheads such as Cliff Gilker Park or Skookumchuck Narrows.
How a coast day trip works
The ferry, the car park and the bus.
The ferry
BC Ferries route 3 runs from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver to Langdale in 40 minutes. Booked vehicles and walk-on groups check in 60 to 30 minutes before departure. Without a booking, ticket sales and check-in close 10 minutes before, in order of arrival. Reservation Only adds CAD 20 per booked direction. Going back from Langdale to Horseshoe Bay, the base fare for foot passengers and standard vehicles is CAD 0, so you do not pay the Horseshoe Bay fare twice. These fares apply from June 16, 2026. When drive-up space is tight, BC Ferries warns of sailing waits, so reserve on busy days.
Ferry guide →Parking at Horseshoe Bay
Long-term parking costs CAD 19.25 per day, CAD 11 for 6 hours or CAD 14 for 12 hours. Short-term parking costs CAD 3 per hour or CAD 23.25 per day. A private operator runs the lots, and paying by app can add a third-party fee.
The bus on the coast
Sunshine Coast Transit route 1 links Sechelt with Gibsons and the Langdale ferry and serves Roberts Creek Store. A typical early run leaves Langdale at 6:05 a.m. and reaches Roberts Creek Store at 6:45 a.m., which is 40 minutes. A single ride costs CAD 2, a DayPASS CAD 4, and children up to 12 ride free. A single ride includes no transfer. Route 90 uses Highway 101 and does not list Roberts Creek Store, so read the stop list. Check the current timetable before you go.
Whale watching boats
The whale boats leave from Steveston, not from the coast. Rates, departures and the distance rules are on the whale watching page.
Whale watching guide →A summer option by floatplane
A floatplane service runs from a base at Porpoise Bay in Sechelt. In 2026 the flights from Vancouver to Sechelt started on June 26 as part of the summer service. Treat the floatplane as a summer option, and plan with the ferry for the rest of the year.
What a coast day trip can include
Pick two or three stops, not all of them.
Roberts Creek Pier and Mandala
Benches, picnic tables and a view over the Strait of Georgia.
Sunshine Coast hiking
Forest trails, Soames Hill and the long-distance trail.
Gibsons
Harbour, public market and public art.
Skookumchuck Narrows
A walk to Roland Point, timed by the tide.
Whale watching
Boats from Steveston and the distance rules.
Horseshoe Bay ferry
Fares, check-in and the bus to Roberts Creek.
What to check before you book
The wording differs more than the prices do.
Date, product and meeting point
The same operator can list several products with different start points and seasons. Check that the date, the product and the place match.
What the price covers
Check whether a listing includes ferry tickets, pickup, taxes and fees. Do not assume it does. Whale boat rates add taxes and fees on top.
A buffer for the return
Allow for waiting at the terminal, bus time and the last sailing. A 40-minute crossing is not the length of your day.
Cancellation terms
Terms differ by operator. Read them before you pay.
Vancouver tours: frequently asked questions
Is there a daily guided tour from Vancouver to Roberts Creek?
Most visitors go by ferry and bus or by car. If a tour above covers the coast, check its meeting point, what it includes and the return time before you book.
How do I get from Vancouver to Roberts Creek?
Take BC Ferries from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale, a 40-minute crossing, then Sunshine Coast Transit route 1 or a car along Highway 101.
How much does the ferry cost in 2026?
An adult pays CAD 16.45 from Horseshoe Bay, a child aged 5 to 11 pays CAD 8.20, and children under 5 travel free. A standard vehicle up to 20 ft costs CAD 58.40 without passengers. A 5 percent fuel surcharge applies, and the return from Langdale has a base fare of CAD 0.
Where do whale watching boats leave from?
Whale watching boats leave from Steveston in Richmond, not from Roberts Creek. The whale watching page has rates, departures and distance rules.
Is this the official site for Vancouver tours?
No. This is an independent guide. It is not run by Roberts Creek, BC Ferries, BC Parks or any tour operator.