Cates Park Paddling Centre

Cates Park Paddling Centre operates from Cates Park (also known as Whey-ah-Wichen) on Dollarton Highway in North Vancouver. The park sits at the entrance to Indian Arm, a deep fjord that extends north into the Coast Mountains, providing access to some of the most dramatic paddling scenery near Vancouver.

The centre rents kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards. For families, canoes are an excellent choice — they seat 2-4 people, making them more economical than renting individual kayaks. Kids as young as 5 can ride as passengers in a canoe while parents handle the paddling. Older kids (8+) can take on active paddling roles.

Double kayaks are also popular for parent-child teams. The Indian Arm waters near Cates Park are relatively calm, especially in the morning before afternoon winds develop. The shoreline offers rocky coves, small beaches, and forested banks to explore.

Cates Park itself is worth visiting even without paddling. The 7-hectare park has a beach, picnic areas, walking trails, a playground, and interpretive signs about the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation's connection to the area. The totem pole at the park entrance was carved by local Indigenous artists.

The location on the eastern edge of North Vancouver feels more remote and quieter than False Creek or Deep Cove, despite being only a 20-minute drive from downtown via the Second Narrows Bridge. Parking at the park is free and usually available, even on summer weekends — a major advantage over the notoriously tight parking at Deep Cove.

With a 4.6 Google rating, the paddling centre provides solid equipment and friendly service. The summer season (June-September) is the primary operating period. The combination of paddling, beach time, and park exploration makes Cates Park a great half-day family outing.