Aquabus Vancouver and False Creek Ferries are the two private mini-ferry companies serving False Creek — the inlet that bisects Vancouver between downtown, Olympic Village, and Granville Island. The colorful little boats are technically transportation, but for visitors they’re really one of the city’s signature experiences: a 5-minute hop across the harbor, $5-10 a ride, that turns Granville Island into a destination accessible from anywhere along the waterfront.
This guide covers both Aquabus (the rainbow-colored fleet) and False Creek Ferries (the blue and white fleet), how they differ, where each one stops, fares, the best ride for sightseeing, and everything visitors need to know — including the critical fact that these are NOT covered by your TransLink Compass Card.
Table of Contents
Aquabus & False Creek Ferries: Quick Visitor Facts
- Two competing private ferry companies serving False Creek — Aquabus (rainbow colors) and False Creek Ferries (blue and white)
- NOT included in TransLink Compass Card — pay the operator directly
- Crossing time: 3-7 minutes between most stops
- Fares: ~C$4-12 per ride depending on company and route
- Service area: False Creek inlet between downtown, Yaletown, Olympic Village, Science World, and Granville Island
- Hours: ~6:45 AM-9:30 PM daily, year-round
- Frequency: Every 5-15 minutes
Aquabus: The Rainbow Fleet
Aquabus operates 17 brightly-colored mini-ferries — the rainbow boats that have become a Vancouver postcard fixture.
Founded: 1984 (one of the original False Creek ferry operators).
Fleet: 17 vessels, 12-passenger capacity each (plus boat operator). Several larger 24- and 30-passenger vessels.
Hours: 7:00 AM-9:15 PM, 7 days a week year-round.
Frequency: Every 15 minutes or less on most routes during operating hours.
Aquabus stops:
- Hornby Street (downtown): Foot of Hornby Street near the Vancouver Aquatic Centre
- Granville Island: Aquabus dock at the southwest corner
- Yaletown (Davie Street): Davie Street next to David Lam Park
- Stamps Landing: South side of False Creek
- Spyglass: South side, near Olympic Village
- Plaza of Nations: North side near BC Place
- The Village (Olympic Village): South side at the Olympic Village waterfront
- Science World: East end of False Creek, adjacent to Science World
Distinguishing features: The rainbow colors are the giveaway. Boats have indoor seating, outdoor deck access, and a small captain’s wheelhouse.
False Creek Ferries: The Blue & White Fleet
False Creek Ferries operates the blue-and-white mini-ferries — fewer in number but with broader coverage westward toward English Bay.
Founded: 1982 (the older of the two operators).
Fleet: Small fleet (around 5-8 vessels) of 12-passenger ferries.
Hours: ~6:45 AM to 9:30 PM daily.
Frequency: Every 12-15 minutes typically.
False Creek Ferries stops:
- Aquatic Centre (downtown): Same area as Aquabus’s Hornby stop
- Granville Island: Public Market dock
- Vanier Park: West side of False Creek; gateway to Maritime Museum, Space Centre, Museum of Vancouver
- Stamps Landing
- Yaletown: David Lam Park dock
- Plaza of Nations
- Olympic Village (The Village dock)
- Spyglass Place
- Science World
Key advantage: False Creek Ferries serves Vanier Park (Maritime Museum, Space Centre), which Aquabus does not.
Aquabus vs. False Creek Ferries: Which to Choose
Both operators are well-run and similar in cost. The choice usually comes down to where you want to go.
Choose Aquabus when:
- You’re staying in downtown west or Yaletown (more frequent service to Hornby/Davie)
- You want the iconic rainbow-boat experience for photos
- You’re heading to Olympic Village or Science World
- You want the most stops along False Creek
Choose False Creek Ferries when:
- You’re heading to or from Vanier Park (Maritime Museum, Space Centre)
- You want connection to Kits Beach via short walk from Vanier Park
- You’re already on the False Creek Ferries dock at one stop
Key fact: Tickets are NOT interchangeable. If you board an Aquabus, your ticket only works on Aquabus. False Creek Ferries tickets only work on False Creek Ferries.
Pragmatic advice: Most visitors take whichever boat arrives first. The two companies share most stops, so you’ll often see one boat from each docked simultaneously.
Fares & Tickets
Both companies set their own fares, which are similar.
Aquabus fares (2026):
- Adult one-way: C$4.50-C$7.00 (depends on route distance)
- Children, seniors: C$2.75-C$4.00
- Day pass (unlimited Aquabus): C$18 adult / C$13 senior/child
- Family Day Pass (2 adults + 2 kids): C$45
False Creek Ferries fares (2026):
- Adult one-way: C$4.50-C$8.00
- Children, seniors: C$2.75-C$4.50
- Day pass: ~C$18
How to pay: Cash, credit card, or debit at the dock office or onboard. Most tickets are now sold via mobile app or contactless payment for faster boarding.
What’s NOT covered:
- TransLink Compass Card (not interchangeable)
- SkyTrain/SeaBus transfers (separate fare system)
- Bus transfers (separate)
Tipping: Not expected; some passengers tip operators C$1-2 for friendly service.
A quick word on money, because it trips people up: the ferries are privately run and not part of TransLink, so Compass cards don’t work. Fares in 2026 run about CA$4.50–7.50 per hop depending on distance, with day passes around CA$20–22 and kids under four riding free. Pay cash, tap a credit card, or buy a day pass at the dock kiosk. Boats leave every 5–15 minutes from roughly 7 a.m. to 10–11 p.m. (shorter hours in winter), and every vessel is wheelchair accessible and bike-friendly.
All Stops Mapped
The two services overlap on most stops but each has unique destinations.
Stops served by both:
- Hornby Street / Aquatic Centre (downtown west)
- Yaletown / Davie Street
- Granville Island
- Stamps Landing
- Olympic Village / The Village
- Science World
- Plaza of Nations
- Spyglass Place
Aquabus only: Yaletown north dock (more central than Davie), additional Plaza of Nations docks.
False Creek Ferries only: Vanier Park (Maritime Museum, Space Centre).
Routes & Most-Used Connections
The most popular tourist routes:
Hornby/Aquatic Centre → Granville Island: The classic 5-minute crossing. Roughly 3 km by water vs. 30+ minute walk. C$4.50.
Yaletown → Granville Island: 6-minute crossing. Popular with Yaletown hotel guests. C$4.50-5.50.
Olympic Village → Granville Island: 8-minute crossing. C$5.50-6.50.
Science World → Granville Island: 10-minute crossing through the entire length of False Creek. C$6.50-7.50.
Vanier Park ↔ Granville Island (False Creek Ferries only): 4-minute crossing. Useful for Maritime Museum visitors.
Loop tour routes: Both companies offer “False Creek Loop” tickets — board at any stop, ride the entire loop, return to start. Aquabus loop ticket: C$18.
Mini Tour Itineraries
Make the ferries themselves the attraction.
30-minute False Creek Loop (Aquabus): Board at Hornby. Ride all the way to Science World (~12 min). Return via the south side stops to Hornby (~12 min). Total: ~30 minutes, C$18 day pass.
2-hour Granville Island combo: Hornby → Granville Island (5 min). 90-minute market browse. Granville Island → Yaletown (6 min). Walk Yaletown. Total round trip: ~2 hours, ~C$10.
3-hour culture combo (False Creek Ferries): Hornby → Vanier Park (~10 min). Maritime Museum + Space Centre + Vancouver Museum (90 min). Vanier Park → Granville Island (4 min). Lunch at Granville Island Public Market (60 min). Granville Island → Hornby (5 min).
Sunset photo run: Board Hornby at 30 min before sunset. Ride to Science World looking west the whole way. Disembark, walk back along Cambie Bridge or Olympic Village seawall. Stunning sunset photography.
Granville Island Connections
Granville Island is the single most popular destination served by both ferry companies. The island itself isn’t really an island — it’s a peninsula connected to the south side of False Creek by a single road, but the ferries make access from downtown vastly more pleasant than the bridge route.
Why visitors take ferries to Granville Island:
- Public Market with 50+ food vendors and crafts stalls
- Net Loft craft district
- Granville Island Brewing tour
- Kids Market (3 floors of toys and play)
- Granville Island Theatre and live music venues
- Artisan studios and galleries
Visitor flow: Most visitors arrive by ferry at the Public Market dock (False Creek Ferries) or Aquabus dock (~5 minute walk from Public Market). Both drop you within 200m of the market entrance.
Best half-day plan: Ferry over morning. Public Market browse + lunch. Walk to Net Loft for shopping. Granville Island Brewing tour. Ferry back via different stop than arrival to vary the route.
Pets, Bikes, and Strollers
Both ferry companies are friendly toward extras.
Pets: Allowed on both Aquabus and False Creek Ferries. Pets must be leashed or in a carrier. Operators are pet-friendly; small dogs are common passengers.
Bicycles: Both companies accept bikes for an additional small fee (typically C$1.50-2.50). Aquabus has dedicated bike racks on most boats; False Creek Ferries handles bikes on a space-available basis.
Strollers: Welcome on all boats. Designated stroller spaces; operator will help if needed. Strollers don’t need to be folded.
Wheelchair accessibility: Limited. Most ferry docks are accessible via ramps, but boarding the boats requires a small step. Travelers with mobility limitations should check with the operator before boarding.
Best Photo Opportunities
The mini-ferries themselves are photo-worthy, and the False Creek perspective offers downtown views you can’t get elsewhere.
Iconic shots:
- Aquabus rainbow boat passing in front of downtown skyscrapers (from Hornby dock)
- False Creek Ferries blue boats with Granville Island Public Market behind
- Sunset over Cambie Bridge from any boat heading west
- Reflections of boats on calm morning water (best 7-9 AM)
- Spirit of False Creek decorated boats during festivals
Best photo positions:
- Outside on the open deck (allowed on most boats)
- Front bench seat for forward-facing shots
- Boarding the boat from the dock allows close-up exterior photography
Time-of-day notes:
- Morning (7-9 AM): Soft light, fewer crowds, best for clean exterior shots
- Mid-day: Good for showing the busy waterfront atmosphere
- Sunset: Magic-hour light on water and boats
- Blue hour (30 min after sunset): Boat lights illuminated; downtown lights on
Riding the Ferries as a Mini Harbour Tour
The best-kept secret is that a day pass turns these little boats into a cheap, self-guided harbour tour. Hop on at Hornby Street, ride the full loop past Yaletown, Olympic Village, Science World, and Stamp’s Landing, and hop off at Granville Island for lunch — all for a couple of fares. The rainbow Aquabus boats and the blue-and-white False Creek Ferries cover nearly identical routes, so just take whichever pulls up first.
When to Ride, Bikes & Accessibility
Sunny weekend afternoons are busiest, especially the Granville Island run, so ride mid-morning or after 6 p.m. for shorter lines and better light. Bikes and strollers board easily (space is first-come, so off-peak is smoother), and the low, open boats make for great photos of the downtown towers and the boats along False Creek. If you’re piecing together a car-free day, the ferries slot neatly into a broader Vancouver transportation plan alongside transit and walking.
Aquabus & False Creek Ferries FAQs
Are Aquabus and False Creek Ferries the same company?
No. They are competing private operators serving overlapping routes in False Creek. Tickets are not interchangeable.
Can I use my Compass Card on Aquabus or False Creek Ferries?
No. These are private companies separate from TransLink. Compass Card does not work; pay the operator directly.
How much does the Aquabus cost?
C$4.50-7.00 adult one-way depending on route. Day pass C$18.
Does the Aquabus go to Stanley Park?
No. Aquabus and False Creek Ferries serve only False Creek (between downtown and Granville Island/Olympic Village/Science World). Stanley Park is on Burrard Inlet, not False Creek.
Can I bring my bike on the Aquabus?
Yes. Small additional fee; bike racks available on most boats.
Are the ferries heated in winter?
Yes. Both Aquabus and False Creek Ferries operate year-round with heated indoor cabins.
Where do the ferries dock at Granville Island?
Both operators have dedicated docks: Aquabus at the southwest corner near the Public Market; False Creek Ferries at the Public Market dock. Both within 200m of the market entrance.
Related reading: Pair this with our Granville Island guide, transportation pillar, and SeaBus guide.
Related Vancouver guides
- Vancouver on Foot
- Biking in Vancouver
- Bus Travel in Vancouver
- Taxi & Rideshare in Vancouver
- Driving in Vancouver
- TransLink Fares & Compass Card Explained
- How to Save Money on Vancouver Transportation (2026)
