The Budget Conscious Option

Lions Gate Bridge with West Vancouver in the background

Entering the narrow fairways at Mosquito Creek Marina

With more to explore in Greater Vancouver, we exited False Creek into English Bay and circled around the west side of Stanley Park to pass through ‘First Narrows’ under the Lions Gate Bridge.  The narrows were running at just under 4 knots, we were pushing against an ebb tide but able to stay out of the main current by hugging the shoreline.  Arriving in the body of water called Vancouver Harbour, we made our way to the north shore in search of Mosquito Creek Marina, locally referred to as ‘The Creek.’  This marina is almost totally hidden from view and has no signage marking the entrance.  We found a small gap between some floats and barges which appeared to serve as a breakwater and proceeded through.  Carefully making our way down the very narrow passageways and around boat sheds, we found a series of docks.  Neither the docks nor the slips were clearly marked with letters, making it difficult to find our assigned slip.  Not able to raise anyone on the radio or by telephone at the time, we stopped at the fuel dock and asked for a dock diagram showing the location of C Dock and the numbering system.  Proceeding down the appropriate fairway, we found our assigned 50-foot slip, and somehow managed to turn our 46 foot vessel 90 degrees in the 35-foot wide fairway, easing Got d’ Fever into the slip.

A beautiful mountain backdrop at Mosquito Creek Marina

Once settled in, we could admire the lovely new floating homes and backdrop of impressive mountain peaks.  It’s a nice setting, but getting into the marina can be a challenge as some of the fairways are narrow and may be limiting for larger boats.  It does have its advantages, however, like cheaper moorage rates and a nearby IGA for grocery shopping. 

It's a short walk to Lonsdale Quay along a promenade

A short walk along a promenade, with expansive views of Vancouver, takes you to the Lonsdale Quay Market, a collection of shops and services with a Saturday Farmers Market.  The lively Tap & Barrel pub in a refurbished warehouse and the excellent Gusto di Quattro Ristorante Italiano are in the Lonsdale area.  A SeaBus departs every 15 minutes from Lonsdale for easy access to downtown Vancouver, arriving near the cruise ship terminal just east of Coal Harbour. 

The Lonsdale Quay Market

Mosquito Creek Marina can also serve as a home base while visiting the Capilano Bridge, a popular tourist destination with a pedestrian suspension bridge crossing over a canyon, extensive boardwalks through tree tops, and suspended boardwalks around the faces of rock cliffs.  North Shore Bus stops are near Mosquito Creek Marina on Esplanade Avenue, just two blocks upland.  Mosquito Creek Marina is operated by the Squamish Nation with an ongoing effort to replace finger piers and decking boards, which have deteriorated.  Future plans include the removal of one of the older docks extending from shore and the addition of new floating homes, allowing for a wider entrance into the marina. 

North Vancouver and the Lonsdale Quay

If you are looking for a budget conscious option to tour greater Vancouver, Mosquito Creek Marina may be a good choice.