Wellness specialist Victoria Williams says Deep Cove is a ‘really magical spot with lots of wildlife’
VANCOUVER, B.C. — To get to Victoria Williams’ favorite place to unwind, simply follow her commute home from work at Northeastern’s Vancouver campus.
Walk 15 minutes from campus to Waterfront Station and hop on a SeaBus. This passenger ferry will take you across the Harbour to Lonsdale Quay, where you’ll switch to a regular bus.
Your destination: Deep Cove, a tiny village at the foot of Mount Seymour facing out onto Indian Arm, a branch of the Burrard Inlet. Known as “the cove” by locals, the harbor community offers plenty of ways to relax and enjoy Vancouver’s extraordinary beauty.
“I love to go after work to go for a paddleboard, especially in the summer when you know it’s not getting dark until 8:30 or 9,” said Williams, who works as the wellness specialist on the Vancouver campus. “Usually, you’ll see tons of folks down by the water, enjoying the sunset, maybe bringing some dinner with them. It’s a beautiful spot on a summer evening.”
Deep Cove is best known for the Baden Powell Trail, which traverses Horseshoe Bay. A popular and shorter way to enjoy the trail, said Williams, is to hike about 2.5 miles up to Quarry Rock. From this lookout point, hikers can view Burrard Inlet and the village of Belcarra across the water. Then just double back the same way you came down to the village.
After the hike, Williams suggests a reward. Pop into Honey Doughnuts and Goodies, where the doughnuts are worth the wait in line. For more of a meal, she recommends getting a table at the Arms Reach Bistro.
Everywhere you look, she said, you’ll see evidence of the waterfront location. If you’re inclined to go from looking at the water to paddling in it, rent a paddleboard or a kayak. You may be treated by a visit from some water-based locals.
“Go out for an hour or two and you’re very likely to see some seals and a whale, if you’re lucky,” said Williams, who organizes health-promotion programming and works one-on-one with students to support wellbeing. “Usually, there are eagles flying above and jellyfish. It’s a really magical spot with lots of wildlife.”