Boat Launch in Vancouver, British Columbia
Porteau Cove Boat Launch
Porteau Cove gives boaters a paved Howe Sound launch inside a busy provincial-park day-use area. The main checks are parking space, trailer rules, public-dock time limits, marine weather, and whether any BC Parks advisory has changed access before the drive up Highway 99.
Porteau Cove Boat Launch
Plan your visit
What to know before you go.
About 38 km north of Vancouver.
Operator-listed paved launches at the day-use area.
Pick-up, drop-off, and emergency use only.
Fills quickly on sunny days.
No unhitched trailers left in the lot.
No overnight parking except registered campers.
Day-use area; showers are in the campground.
Check marine weather and tides.
Best For
Good To Know
The operator lists two paved launches in front of the large day-use parking lot and asks drivers to follow the red-arrow traffic flow.
Trailer day parking is allowed only with the trailer attached to the vehicle; do not unhitch a trailer and leave it in the lot.
Plan loading and passenger transfers around the 30-minute public-dock limit, and do not treat the dock as day moorage.
Launch Details
- Ramps
- Sea to Sky Park Services lists two paved launches at Porteau Cove.
- Route through lot
- The operator says the launch is in front of the large day-use parking area and directs drivers to follow the red arrows through the one-way traffic pattern.
- Public dock
- The public dock is limited to pick-up, drop-off, and emergency use with a 30-minute maximum, and the operator says there is no overnight mooring.
Parking And Timing
- Parking pressure
- BC Parks says parking is limited and fills quickly on sunny days.
- Trailer parking
- Day parking is available for vehicles with boat trailers, but trailers may not be unhitched and left in the parking lot.
- Day-use hours
- BC Parks says the day-use area closes at 11:00 p.m. and overnight parking is only for registered campers.
Park Services
- Washrooms
- Pit toilets are listed for the day-use area, and flush toilets with showers are listed in the campground.
- Beach
- BC Parks describes the shoreline as a rock and pebble beach rather than a sand swimming beach.
- Pets
- Pets must be leashed and are not allowed in beach areas, picnic areas, or park buildings.
Before Launching
- Advisories
- BC Parks and the operator both direct visitors to current advisory and closure checks because weather, safety hazards, access issues, or emergencies can affect the park. Open BC Parks page
- Diving boundary
- BC Parks says scuba divers are not permitted to use the boat launch, so expect separate dive-area traffic nearby.
- PFDs
- Transport Canada requires a Canadian-approved lifejacket or PFD on board for each person.
Questions People Ask
Does Porteau Cove have a paved boat launch?
Yes. The park operator lists two paved launches at Porteau Cove, located by the large day-use parking area.
Can I leave an unhitched trailer in the lot?
No. Sea to Sky Park Services says boat trailers may not be unhitched and left in the parking lot.
How long can I use the public dock?
The operator says the public dock is for pick-up, drop-off, and emergency use only, with a 30-minute maximum.
Is there overnight parking for boaters?
BC Parks says there is no overnight parking anywhere in Porteau Cove except for registered campers.
Are there washrooms at the launch area?
BC Parks lists pit toilets in the day-use area. Flush toilets and showers are listed in the campground.
What should I check before towing there?
Check BC Parks advisories, the operator's park notices, marine weather, and tides because parking, wind, and access changes can affect the launch.
SourcesShow source links
Page facts are backed by official, operator, map, or supporting source links. Internal social research signals are not shown here.
Official And Operator
- BC ParksOfficial page
- Sea to Sky Park ServicesOperator page
- BC ParksOfficial page
- Transport CanadaOfficial page