Need something to do this weekend?  Here are five spots to find fun water activities for the entire family to enjoy.

Rocky Point Kayak, 2715 Esplanade Street, Port Moody

Nestled in the beautiful suburb of Port Moody is Rocky Point Kayak, an adventure centre that offers outdoor water activities that range from kayaking to canoeing to standup paddleboarding.  Expect natural views of tranquil waters, lush greens, and charismatic docks while you work out those paddling arms. Group outings and private lessons are also available, as well as special packages that include fitness-, drink-, and food-related options. Don’t be alarmed if you spot marine life in the waters; it isn’t rare to pass schools of jellyfish or the occasional wide-eyed seal. You won’t mind the 25-minute drive from Downtown Vancouver to this popular and scenic outdoor spot, which is connected to Rocky Point Park—perfect for the post-water-sport picnic and afternoon nap.

Deer Lake Boat Rentals, 5435 Sperling Avenue, Burnaby

Sure, you can rent a single or double kayak here, but for a truly old-school experience, we highly recommend a rowboat or pedal boat at this family-friendly urban oasis. Look for ducks, herons, turtles, and omnipresent Canada geese around the shorelines of this surprisingly large, calm lake with shaded inlets. Pushing your oars gently through the lily pads, you'll forget you're just minutes from the city. The best time to go is an hour before sunset, when hardly anyone is on the lake. Bring a picnic to have on a nearby grassy lawn and you might just be able to pretend it's 1955. Prices are an equally retro $18 or so an hour.

Creekside Kayaks, 1 Athletes Way

It’s one thing to see the skyline of our beautiful city from land, but there’s no harm in a little perspective change. In fact, seeing Vancouver from a kayak sparks a realization that being in nature doesn’t always require going on some sort of hike. At this time of year, the waters surrounding the city are positively teeming with wildlife: seals, seagulls, and many varieties of fish are just a few creatures you might run into if you decide to venture out onto the ocean with Creekside Kayaks. Situated at the docks in the heart of False Creek, just a five-minute walk from the Main Street SkyTrain station, Creekside makes kayaking locally a cinch, even if you’re a beginner. The great thing about kayaking on such calm water is that it can be as physically strenuous or as relaxed as you choose, although we suggest taking in the scenery at a pace somewhere in between. If you’re feeling keen to paddle solo, single kayaks can be rented for $20 an hour, with a minimum rental of one hour. Buddying up? Tandem kayaks are $35 an hour. Whatever the case, seeing Vancouver landmarks like Granville Island, Stanley Park, and the Coast Mountains from the water will create a whole new sense of appreciation for Vancouver’s marine landscape.

Harrison Watersports, 100 Esplanade Avenue, Harrison Hot Springs

What you can’t find in the city, you’ll find here—Harrison Watersports at Harrison Lake, which is two hours east of Vancouver. Proclaiming itself as “serious fun for all ages”, this water-sports spot isn’t kidding. If you’re looking to start off slow and steady, go for the blaster bumper boats, which are loaded with electric water guns to kick off an epic water fight on the glistening lake. For those who want some speed, banana-tube rides and Sea-Doo rentals are also readily available. And the star of the show is a “wipe-out”–style inflatable water park for the super adventurous and thrill-seeking. Guests can roam through obstacle courses, bounce on large trampolines, slip down long slides, and cannonball into the lake from an awesome launch pad. (It’s also the perfect opportunity to take hilarious GoPro videos.) If this isn’t the epitome of water sports, then we don’t know what is.

Ecomarine Paddlesport Centres, 1668 Duranleau Street, Granville Island; 1300 Discovery Street; and  1700 Beach Avenue

Hold on—how many locations, again? That’s right. Offering three prime spots, at Jericho Beach, Granville Island, and English Bay, there’s no doubt that Ecomarine can provide—in their words and ours—“the perfect day out”. Spreading itself across the city, Ecomarine makes sure there’s always one store open year-round to serve all your wildest paddling needs—including standup paddleboarding in the middle of winter. (Disclaimer: not recommended.) And don’t worry about those summer lineups either. With Ecomarine’s easy online reservation system, there’s no need to wait for hours behind a couple of Dutch students that accidentally dropped their credit cards in the harbour. Leasing some of the city’s highest-quality kayaks and standup paddleboards, Ecomarine doesn’t skimp on the extras. Each kayak rental includes a life jacket, pump, throw line, optional spray skirt, paddle, and spare paddle. And if you really want another paddle, or even another spare paddle, Ecomarine can get that for you too. Safety first, friends.