A pleasant way to spend a day at Harrison Hot Springs is out on the lake on one of Shoreline Tours’ cruise boat excursions. It’s a fabulous experience.
Shoreline Cruises at Harrison Lake
Shoreline Tours is a company that offers boat trips around beautiful Harrison Lake. When docked the vessel is located at 100 Esplanade Avenue in Harrison Hot Springs, a beautiful resort town in the Fraser Valley.
If you like resort towns, hot springs, sandy beaches and hanging out at lakes with amazing views, then you definitely need to visit Harrison Hot Springs. The town is a 1.5- to 2-hour drive east of Vancouver.
About the Cruise Excursions
Trips around Harrison Lake with Shoreline Tours last about two hours, are most enjoyable and include light commentary. Snacks, beer, wine and other beverages are available to purchase on board. For those needing a heartier meal, friendly staff will also barbecue chicken and beef burgers outside on the top deck.
Trips with Shoreline Tours begin at the docks in town not far from the Harrison Springs Resort. They then head out and go around Echo Island in the middle of the lake before returning along the shore past Sasquatch Provincial Park.
About the Shoreline Cruise Vessel
The boat itself, the Laroan, is a nice-sized and well-maintained vessel that accommodates up to 35 people. It’s comfortable and offers plenty of room to move around. The Laroan has a washroom with running water, indoor galley, small lower deck and large upper deck with seating.
Boat Tour Prices
In 2023 rates for cruise excursions on the lake cost $69 for adults and $60 for seniors (age 65+) and children (ages 5 to 15). Children ages 4 and under are free.
Food on board is not unreasonably priced. When we last went a can of beer cost about $6, wine was around $9 and burgers ranged from $12 to $15. Sometimes an item or two will also be on special.
Cruise Season Schedule
Shoreline Tours offers lake tours nine months of the year according to the following schedule (which is subject to change):
January to March – call for availability
April to June
- Monday to Friday – 11:30 am departures
- Saturday & Sunday – 11:30 am (plus sometimes 2:00 pm)
July and August
- Daily – 11:30 am and 2:00 pm departures
September
- Monday to Friday – 11:30 am departures
- Saturday & Sunday – 11:30 am (plus sometimes 2:00 pm)
River Tours
In October and November Shoreline Tours offers river cruises up the Harrison River instead of lake tours. During those two months the trips run seven days a week, last three hours and depart at 11:00 am every day.
The cost for the river tours is $89 for adults and $80 for seniors (age 65+) and children (ages 5 to 15). Children under age 4 are free.
Highlights of the river tours include the region’s beautiful autumn colours and the area wildlife including spawning salmon and the occasional bald eagle.
TIP: The fall colours are usually best in late October up until around the first week or so of November, depending on the weather. Salmon and bald eagles are also more likely to be around later than earlier in the season. If you can, and the weather is good, aim to go on a sunny day sometime between mid-October and early November.
Tips & Advice
Below are some suggestions to help you make the most of your boat trip with Shoreline Tours.
TIP #1: If you want a relaxing experience where you can enjoy a cold adult beverage and amazing views out on the water, then go out on a cruise! We took friends from out of country and they loved it!
Things to Consider in Advance
TIP #1: Go on a sunny day! Harrison Lake is a beautiful place to explore, but especially so on clear days when it’s pleasant to be outdoors and the scenery is at its best.
TIP #2: Don’t go in miserable weather! If it’s dark and cloudy the views won’t be impressive. If it’s raining you’ll probably want to stay indoors (unless you have rain gear and an umbrella, it’s not too windy to put it up). If it’s windy it’ll be choppy out on the water and likely quite cool.
TIP #3: Dress warmly if going in the spring or fall, but also take a sweater or windbreaker in the summer in case it gets cool then too. The best place to be on the boat is outside on one of the decks. That said, it can get cold out on the lake, especially if there’s a breeze (which quite often there is).
TIP #4: In July and August, and on weekends throughout the summer, the boat tours can fill up. Book in advance, but check the weather forecast before you do.
Other Suggestions and Things to Know
TIP #1: If you have young children, ask if they can peek inside the captain’s compartment to see how he or she operates the vessel.
TIP #2: If looking for something fun for children and teens in the summer, then also check out the Harrison Water Park which is open from late June until the beginning of September. Participants wear life jackets and there is lifeguard supervision. This means you can leave kids there to play on their own provided that they are responsible and at least 10 years of age. While you have a nice relaxing time out on the boat, younger folks will have a blast splashing around on the bouncy stuff!
Other Information
For further details or to book a tour, visit the Shoreline Tours website.
Note: It’s important to note that with Shoreline Tours outside food is not permitted, except in the case of special dietary restrictions. Pets are also not allowed, unless required for disability assistance, and smoking on board is not permitted.
To learn more about the region, click Fraser Valley or Harrison Hot Springs.
For information about boat tours in Vancouver, see Harbour Cruises (which are similar to Shoreline Tours but on larger boats and around Vancouver) or False Creek’s Harbour Ferries (which are different and smaller, but also lots of fun).
Another good tour company to check out is Harrison Eco Tours.
