Sailing

Trying to navigate a sailboat in the unfamiliar straits around Vancouver is unwise and unsafe unless you enroll in a local sailing course before attempting it. Knowing the tides, currents, and channels is essential, and you won't be able to rent a sailboat without this basic navigational and safety knowledge. Multiday instruction packages sometimes include guided Gulf Island cruises.

Cooper Boating Centre, 1620 Duranleau St. (tel. 604/687-4110; www.cooperboating.com), offers chartered cruises, boat rentals, and sailing instruction.