Private Day Trip with Porteau Cove & Britannia Mine Experience
Overview:
Embark on a family-friendly adventure that’s as entertaining as it is educational. This private day tour from Vancouver to Squamish is designed for families who love nature, discovery, and hands-on experiences. Travel along the iconic Sea-to-Sky Highway with stops at Porteau Cove, Britannia Mine Museum, and Squamish, making this the perfect balance of scenic beauty and kid-approved fun.
With private transportation, flexible pacing, and a guide who understands the rhythm of family travel, this tour turns a simple day out into a memory-making journey.
7–8 hours (full-day tour)
Departure Point: Hotel, cruise terminal, or preferred pickup in Vancouver
Group Size: Private tour for families (2–14 guests standard, larger groups on request)
Language: English (others available upon request)
Ages: Perfect for families with children of all ages
Begin your journey along the spectacular Sea-to-Sky Highway (Highway 99). This scenic coastal route is one of British Columbia’s most picturesque drives, with dramatic views of Howe Sound, forested cliffs, and towering mountains.
Frequent stops are encouraged for family photo ops and stretch breaks.
Make your first scenic stop at Porteau Cove, a peaceful beachside park known for its calm waters and driftwood-covered shores. Kids can explore tidal pools, skip stones, or spot scuba divers offshore while parents take in panoramic ocean views.
A quick and refreshing nature break that feels miles from the city.
Next, dive into history and science at the award-winning Britannia Mine Museum. This stop is a family favorite for good reason:
Underground mine train ride through a real tunnel
Live demos of mining equipment
The multisensory BOOM! Experience — a high-energy show inside the historic mill
Interactive exhibits, gold panning, and science activities for kids
It’s educational, exciting, and full of hands-on learning — all in a stunning mountain setting.
After the mine, head into Squamish, a relaxed mountain town where you can explore a local park, grab a family-friendly lunch, or walk the Squamish Estuary trails.
Optionally, stop at Shannon Falls, the third-highest waterfall in BC, for an easy forest walk and a look at the roaring 335-meter cascade.
Great for kids to get their wiggles out in nature.
Private round-trip transportation in a clean, child-friendly vehicle
Hotel or cruise terminal pickup and drop-off
Admission to Britannia Mine Museum
Stop at Sea to Sky Gondola (tickets included)
Bottled water and light snacks
Car seats or booster seats on request
Flexible, family-focused itinerary with room for breaks and spontaneity
Comfortable walking shoes
Weather-appropriate clothing (layered is best)
Camera or phone
Sunscreen and hats
Personal items for young children (snacks, diapers, etc.)
No rushing, no crowds — just your family and your guide
Activities and stops tailored to kids’ ages and energy levels
Educational experiences that are genuinely fun
Plenty of time to play, explore, and relax
A scenic escape from the city that’s just the right length for a day trip
Picnic lunch at a beach or park
Time in Horseshoe Bay for an ice cream break or waterfront walk
Short forest hike (easy trails available for little legs)
This Vancouver Family Tour to Squamish is the ideal blend of adventure, learning, and together time. With a flexible pace and engaging stops, it’s a perfect way to connect with nature and history — all within a day’s reach from the city. Whether your kids are budding scientists, nature explorers, or simply curious minds, they’ll love every moment of this unforgettable outing.
Flexible Itinerary: The private nature of the tour allows for flexibility in the itinerary. Tailor the experience based on your preferences, spending more time at preferred attractions or exploring hidden gems suggested by your guide.
Flight, Hotel and Cruise Pickup is included
This includes all locations from Vancouver, Richmond, North Vancouver and Burnaby.
Our Tour guide will contact you before the 24 hours of departure to confirm pick up location and time for day trips.
In the case of multi-day trips, we will contact you 48 hours before departure.
There are few highways in the world with as much awe-inspiring scenery as the Sea-to-Sky Highway. Officially known as BC Highway 99, this legendary route from Vancouver to Whistler and beyond is a drive with incredible sights at just about every turn. It's also filled with fun stops, including outdoor destinations, cultural points of interest, and historic sites.
The Britannia Mine Museum, formerly British Columbia Museum of Mining, is located in Britannia Beach, which is about 55 km kilometers north of Vancouver on the Sea-to-Sky Highway on Howe Sound. The Museum site itself is an exhibit – from historical machinery to heritage buildings to the massive yellow dump truck that lives within the facility.
You can take an underground tour of the mine on an old mine train. The 45 minutes guided tour gives you an understanding of what life was like as a miner back in the early 1900s.
Porteau Cove Provincial Park is an oceanfront haven for scuba divers, kayakers, stand-up paddleboarders, beachcombers, and those just looking for a place to relax by the shore. It's a little bit of oceanfront paradise just minutes from Squamish.
The 56-hectare park offers a ton of exploring through its driftwood beaches, tidal and intertidal marine life, sunken ships, artificial reefs, picnic areas, and pebble beaches, plus 44 drive-in and 16 walk-in campsites to give you, even more, time and space to soak it all up.
A 10-minute gondola ride will take you up to a truly magical place with some of the most spectacular views you will ever see and activities for all interests and ages.
As you rise from the water’s edge on the valley floor, the view opens up before you: the bright blue water of Howe Sound, dotted with green islands and backed by the steep mountains of the Coast Range; the majestic Stawamus Chief; and a bird’
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Looking for a breathtaking adventure with stunning views? Come take a ride on the Sea to Sky Gondola! Located in Squamish, just a short drive from Vancouver, our gondola takes you on a scenic journey up the mountainside to our Summit Lodge, where you'll find sweeping views of the surrounding mountains, ocean, and forests. Enjoy a meal at our restaurant, go hiking on our trails, or simply take in the panoramic views from the comfort of our lodge. And for the thrill-seekers, try our Via Ferrata climbing experience, a guided climb with breathtaking views. With something for everyone, the Sea to Sky Gondola is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. So why wait? Come experience the beauty of the Sea to Sky Gondola today!
Highway 99 is a provincial highway in British Columbia that serves Greater Vancouver and the Squamish–Lillooet corridor over a length of 377 kilometres. It is a major north–south artery within Vancouver and connects the city to several suburbs as well as the U.S. border, where it continues south as Interstate 5.
"Shannon Falls Squamish" is a short phrase and not a paragraph. However, I will assume you intended to write a paragraph about Shannon Falls in Squamish, BC and provide an optimized version:
Shannon Falls, located in the picturesque town of Squamish, is a breathtaking waterfall that will leave you in awe. As one of the highest waterfalls in British Columbia, Shannon Falls cascades down from over 1000 feet above sea level, providing a spectacular sight that you won't forget. You can easily access the falls via a short and scenic walk from the parking lot, making it a perfect destination for all ages and abilities. Whether you're a local or visiting from afar, Shannon Falls is a must-see natural wonder that will make your trip to Squamish unforgettable.
Squamish, located in British Columbia, Canada, is a stunning destination with breathtaking natural beauty. Known as the "Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada," Squamish offers a diverse range of outdoor activities, such as hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, and water sports. With stunning views of the mountains, forests, and rivers, Squamish is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The town also boasts an exciting arts and culture scene, featuring local galleries, museums, and festivals. Whether you're seeking adventure or relaxation, Squamish has something for everyone. Come and experience the natural wonder and rich culture of Squamish for yourself!
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience. To find our terms and condition policy, click here.
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Absolutely loved the trip and especially the services provided to us from well knowledgable guide to transportation facilities. Loved everything about the trip, Visited Sea To Sky Gondola In Squamish this Spring Break, and it was one of the highlights of our trip! The views up top were breathtaking and our family had fun walking the suspension bridge, hiking, tubing and playing in the snow! Thanks for such a great tour!
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We planned this trip on my Son’s birthday and I am so happy to say that he loved the outing and the special arrangements done for his birthday. The Sea to Sky Gondola had me awestruck. This one day trip was worth going I would highly recommend this trip as everything was just perfect.
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BC is one of the most stunning provinces in Canada and Squamish's breathtaking alpine scenery is quite an experience. So glad that we booked our trip with you, loved all the arangements done for us, Our driver/ guide was so good and provided all the details about the city.
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The trip was wonderful. Sea To Sky is pretty touristy but the views are great and worth it! I will definitely be going back here the next time I am in Vancouver, B.C. and I have already recommended my friends to book their trip from you guys! Cheers!!
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Overall, it was a good experience and worth it, nice to get out of the city and enjoy some nice scenery and get some fresh air to have a nice day trip. Loved the arrangements done for us.
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