There’s nothing quite like the solitude provided by a canoe: the rhythmic dip of a paddle followed by the plip-plop of water droplets on the surface is both calming and mesmerizing. And when combined with exceptional views of British Columbia’s mountains and forests, the activity becomes absolutely enchanting. Even on the province’s wilder rivers, canoeing is an entrancing experience as the sounds of our daily lives melt away to be replaced by rushing water and excited laughter.
Humans have been building and using canoes to travel in and around British Columbia since time immemorial. Coastal First Nations fashioned large war canoes as well as smaller foraging ones from western red cedar and plied the waters of the Salish Sea. Other indigenous peoples used birch bark and willow trees in the crafting of their canoes that they then used to travel inland waterways. For example, the yaksumit, or Sturgeon-nosed canoe, has a design resembling its namesake fish and was used by members of the Sinixt nation on Kootenay Lake for thousands of years.
These days, canoeing is much more than a means of travel in British Columbia. Yes, world-class trips exist such as the 116-kilometre-long Bowron Lake Circuit in the province’s interior or the northern Alsek River that runs from the Yukon, through BC and into Alaska. But given the canoe’s cultural importance in the province, there are also canoe-making workshops offered as well as a variety of events and festivals, such as the BC Canoe Festival held in Hope every year. There’s even a community named Canoe on the shores of Shuswap Lake!
Meet the experts, businesses, associations, and clubs that have a handle on all things canoe related.
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Whether in Sechelt, Gibsons, or Pender Harbour, Alpha Adventures offers paddle rentals and more at each location.
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Experience top-notch kayaking, canoeing, and stand up paddling in beautiful BC. From lessons to advanced courses, we’ve got you covered!
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BC Marine Trails is a non-profit organization dedicated to securing long-term public access to British Columbia’s coastline. In partnership with coastal First Nations, we are building, protecting, and promoting a public network of marine trails that supports safe, respectful, and low-impact coastal recreation.
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Becker’s Lodge offers four-season outdoor adventures in Bowron Lake, BC, with cabins, canoes, kayaks, snowmobiles, and more.
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Plan a perfect self guided trip with the kayak, canoe, and paddle board rentals at Bowron Lake Lodge.
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Canoe Kayak BC is the go-to spot for all things paddle sports in British Columbia. From competitions to training, we’ve got you covered!
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Explore the waters of the Cariboo-Chilcotin with Cariboo Canoe and Kayak Rentals.
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Discover Cates Park for kayaking adventures, rentals, and lessons. Book online today!
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Experience amazing sea kayaking tours with Coastal Bliss Adventures.
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If you’re looking for a canoe or kayak rental, lesson or guided tour Coastal Expression offers them all!
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Your go-to store for kayaks, SUPs, gear, and accessories for paddling adventures.
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Explore Lake Windermere and the Columbia River through rentals and guided tours. Discover diverse wildlife and enjoy family-friendly paddling adventures.
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Explore the stunning Columbia Wetlands with self-guided rentals and unique accommodations for special occasions.
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Comox Valley Kayaks & Canoes offers top-quality kayaks, canoes, and SUPs, along with rentals, lessons, and guided tours for all skill levels.
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Choose from different kayaking tours or check out their other watersports rental options at Cowichan Bay Kayaking and Adventure Centre.
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At CRIS Adaptive Adventures the offer canoe, kayak, and SUP rentals for all your paddling needs.
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Deep Cove Kayak Center in Vancouver offers premier kayaking, paddleboarding, and surfskiing tours.
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Providing eco-excursions via guided kayaking and paddle board tours, Dog Mermaid Eco Excursions is a great place to reconnect with nature.
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Far Out Gear Rentals offers a wide range of outdoor adventure rentals and tours, including biking and paddling equipment. Explore BC’s stunning waterways and trails with our top-quality gear.
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Golden Paddle provides many different watersports rentals for their guests.
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Hellman Canoes and Kayaks, based in Nelson, BC, crafts high-quality, custom-made canoes and kayaks designed for adventure and durability. Founded by passionate paddler Bob Hellman, this Canadian-owned business offers personalized watercraft for recreational and wilderness paddling, available at their specialized shop.
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Experience whitewater rafting trips with Interior Whitewater Expeditions, no matter your skill level they have something for everyone!
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Rent kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards with Jeff’s Kayak and Bike Rentals.
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Explore a wide range of outdoor gear, from apparel to safety and rescue equipment.
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With tour and rental options Kaatza Adventures is a great way to explore Cowichan Lake.
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Kamloops Canoe & Kayak Club offers many different programs while being as inclusive and accessible as possible, so that everyone can enjoy what they have to offer.
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Kamloops Water Sport Rentals offers three different locations. From paddle boards to pedal kayaks and canoes they have something that will work for everyone!
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Explore the beauty of Kootenay Lake with Kaslo Kayaking – offering kayak tours, rentals, lessons, and more in the stunning BC mountain town of Kaslo.
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The Kelowna Canoe & Kayak Club is a great place to go on a canoe or kayak tour with many other passionate paddlers.
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Join the Kelowna Paddle Centre for safe and accessible paddle sports activities.
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Klahoose Wilderness Resort offers an immersive eco-experience in British Columbia’s pristine nature, rich in culture and wildlife. Stay in intimate accommodations and explore the land with Indigenous guides.
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Knouff Lake Wilderness Resort offers rustic cabins, RV & tenting sites, boat rentals, and a range of activities in a beautiful Canadian setting.
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Kootenay Raft Co. offers thrilling rafting adventures in the Kootenays. Family-friendly trips, rentals, and custom group outings available.
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Lakeside Heffley Hideaway offers cabins, campsites, and activities by Heffley Lake. Perfect for a relaxing getaway surrounded by nature.
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Paddle the Powell Forest canoe route with Mitchell’s Canoe, Kayak, & SUP Sales & Rentals.
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In order to truly learn about our culture we felt the only way was to touch, smell, see, hear, and feel it. Our journey started hundreds of years ago but your journey will start right
now with us at Moccasin Trails.
Rent paddleboards and kayaks in Nelson for fun workouts or leisurely paddling on beautiful waterways.
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With a lot of rental options Okanagan Beach Rentals is a great way to explore Okanagan Lake in Kelowna.
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ORCBC advocates for responsible outdoor recreation in BC, promoting access to nature for all.
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Outer Coast Outfitters in Prince Rupert specializes in guided canoe trips.
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Pender Island Kayak Adventures is a perfect place to try anything from kayaking to canoeing and even paddle boarding.
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Rocky Peak Adventure Gear has a great retail selection of different paddle sports gear & equipment.
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Salt Spring Adventures has many tour and rental options available.
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Scoop Lake is the perfect wilderness get away where you can explore over a dozen lakes on a paddle board.
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Book an unforgettable guided kayaking tour with Sea to Sky Expeditions.
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Experience nature’s tranquility in Slocan BC with canoe, kayak & SUP rentals since 1998.
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Squamish Paddling Club is perfect for paddlers that have a strong focus on the environment and keeping local waterways safe.
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Explore the waters of Howe Sound while paddling, kiteboarding, and even wakeboarding there is something here for everyone!
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Takaya Tours offers authentic First Nation canoe and kayak experiences in beautiful locations like Belcarra Park and Cates Park.
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True Outdoors is a local equipment store that carries a variety of outdoor gear for different watersports activities.
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Explore over 450 brands and find great deals on paddlesports gear. Shop now!
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Rent kayaks, canoes, or SUP boards from West Coast Water Sports. Fun for all skill levels!
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Whitegold Adventures is located at Bowron Lake which is known to have some of the best paddling trips.
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Offering calm waters, stunning coastal scenery, and abundant wildlife. Beginner to advanced paddlers alike will be enthralled by the tranquillity and ecological diversity of this coastal gem.
The Alice Lake provincial park is 12 kilometres north of Squamish and includes its namesake lake as well as three others that are perfect for canoeing and stand up paddle boarding.
The Cowichan Valley spans 3,500 square kilometres in southern Vancouver Island and is home to communities like Ladysmith, Duncan, and Chemainus. It’s a paddler’s paradise, offering everything from peaceful SUP sessions on Lake Cowichan and saltwater kayaking in the Saanich Inlet to adrenaline-pumping whitewater canoe runs on the Cowichan River. Off the water, the region serves up a feast of local flavours with its farmers markets, wineries, cideries, farm-to-table restaurants and some great brewpubs.
Experience the beauty of the Coast Mountains above cedar, fir, and spruce forests from fjord-like waters, where wildlife such as bald eagles and black bears may be witnessed.
Located on the southwestern coast of Vancouver Island, Ucluelet means “people of the safe harbour” in the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ language. The small community of about 2,000 residents is nestled on an eight-kilometre-long peninsula that forms a natural barrier between the calm inner harbour and the open ocean. It’s the perfect launch point for beginner-friendly paddles and a fun town in which to enjoy aprés. If you only have three days, this paddling itinerary I enjoyed in Ucluelet is what I’d recommend.
Whether you’re drawn to swift water, calm exploration, or rugged backcountry nights, Kitimat offers a bit of everything. It’s untouched, wild, and waiting. Here’s a full itinerary of our trip to this undiscovered paddling paradise.
Spend an afternoon paddling one of the largest contiguous systems of wetland habitats in North America between Invermere and Radium Hot Springs and take in hundreds of different wildlife species from eagles to moose.
Only 30 minutes from the largest city on Canada’s West Coast, Vancouver’s North Shore is a magical area that boasts serene, secluded paddling.
Embark on a scenic 3-day paddling trip through the heart of the Kootenays, exploring the stunning waterways around Castlegar, British Columbia. This adventure blends gentle river currents, serene lakes, and breathtaking mountain views for a relaxing, yet immersive, outdoor experience.
The pristine waters of Slocan Lake serve as the gateway to Valhalla Provincial Park—a rugged wilderness aptly named after Viking heaven. Towering granite peaks rise from the shoreline, waterfalls cascade down steep forested slopes, and eight idyllic beach campsites dot the edge of the lake, offering the perfect launchpad for a multi-day paddling adventure or a scenic day trip.
Stretching over 100 km between the Selkirk and Purcell Mountains, Kootenay Lake offers paddlers an endless playground of crystal-clear water, secluded beaches, and dramatic mountain backdrops. Whether launching from the vibrant communities of Nelson, Kaslo, or Balfour, you’ll find calm bays perfect for a leisurely paddle, as well as long, open-water crossings for more experienced adventurers. Stop at remote coves only accessible by boat, explore hidden waterfalls along the shoreline, or follow in the wake of history past old steamboat landings. With its mix of sheltered inlets, island outcrops, and panoramic alpine views, Kootenay Lake is a paddler’s dream—equally suited to sunrise solitude or multi-day shoreline expeditions under starlit skies.
Experience the best of Nelson and Kootenay Lake on a three-day adventure filled with paddling, mountain views, and local flavour. From coffee at Oso Negro and shoreline paddles in Nelson, to soaring with Kokanee Mountain Zipline, ferry rides across the world’s longest free crossing, and hikes to the Pilot Bay Lighthouse, each day blends outdoor adventure with unforgettable dining—ending with a sunset meal at the historic Kaslo Hotel.
Vancouver’s North Shore blends coastal adventure with urban charm, offering a journey where paddlers, food lovers, and culture seekers all find connection.
Comox Valley offers an accessible yet unforgettable paddling experience — the perfect blend of convenience, community, and natural beauty. Whether you’re a seasoned kayaker or new to paddling, the region’s protected waters and stunning scenery make it a must-paddle destination on Vancouver Island.
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