On a floating restaurant patio in Steveston Village, an enclave of Richmond, BC, the ocean views are almost as pleasant as the flaky, lightly battered cod on your plate. After a busy day cycling along the seashore and watching the catches come in at Fisherman’s Wharf, your reward is a generous helping of the city’s best fish and chips. Tomorrow, you’ll be heading out on the water to try and hook your own rockfish or spot whales along the coast.
Located south of Vancouver between two arms of the Fraser River, with the Salish Sea to the west, Richmond is rich in both maritime history and access to fresh seafood. It’s also a budding destination for outdoor enthusiasts — the city was recently named British Columbia’s most active community, thanks to its many parks, pathways, and sporty residents. From the bustling wharf and landmark attractions to the open seas and nearby trails, these are some of the best things to do in Richmond, BC, for a lively adventure on and around the city’s historic waterfront.
Dive deep into Steveston Village’s nautical past
Photo: Tourism Richmond
On Richmond’s south coast, Steveston Village holds colourful clapboard buildings and heritage-inspired murals that capture its maritime legacy. At the turn of the last century, 15 canneries where fresh salmon and herring were turned into tinned goodies lined the channel, along with shipyards that built seagoing vessels. Visit the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site and Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site to learn how these industries shaped the Richmond of today.
Steveston draws more tourists than fisherfolk these days, but you can still tap into the spirit of the working harbour by sneaking a peek when vessels unload their daily hauls. Go a step further and pick up some tuna, salmon, halibut, rockfish, or sole right off the boat at Fisherman’s Wharf, where vendors keep them fresh on ice until you’re ready to snatch them up.
Get out on the water to hook salmon or watch for whales
Photo: Tourism Richmond/JPS Media Works Inc
If you’d rather cast your own line, join a fishing charter from Steveston Harbour with Seabreeze Adventures. The waters off the Fraser River are home to species including chum and sockeye salmon, albacore tuna, and sablefish, and the company’s seasoned guides know where these sleek swimmers are most likely to bite. Ocean fish are incredibly strong, so don’t be afraid to ask for help reeling yours in and onto the boat.
Steveston is also a launching spot for whale-watching tours. Climb into a zippy Zodiac or board a larger vessel to scout for migrating humpback whales and resident or transient orcas. If you’re lucky, you might see members of a pod breach in the Salish Sea. The experts at Vancouver Whale Watch and Seabreeze Adventures will brief you on the marine life you could encounter on your tour, including colonies of barking sea lions, harbour seals bobbing in the water, and bald eagles scanning the shore for lunch.
Feast on fish and chips or steamed shrimp dumplings
Photo: Tourism Richmond
Don’t worry if the fish aren’t biting — Richmond has tons of options for landlubbers who want to feast on the fruits of the sea. At Pajo’s Fish & Chips, a cheerful yellow awning and patio umbrellas stand out like a beacon signaling the best battered fish and french fries combo in Steveston Village. A few blocks away, Britannia Brewing Company serves craft beers and upscale pub grub with a marine twist — think wild sockeye burgers, heaping bowls of clam chowder, and oven-baked sablefish.
Richmond is also known for its Dumpling Trail, a collection of restaurants that pride themselves on their savoury pockets of doughy goodness, many of which come stuffed with succulent seafood. You’ll find steamed shrimp dumplings at Jade Seafood Restaurant and Suhang Restaurant, and juicy xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) packed with crab and pork at Dinesty Dumpling House.
Sushi lovers have no lack of fresh options, either, with seven Japanese restaurants in Steveston Village alone, and even more clustered around the city’s Golden Village neighbourhood.
Pedal one of the city’s scenic cycling routes
Photo: Tourism Richmond
True to its active nature, Richmond has 87 kilometres (54 miles) of designated cycling routes that are well used by both visitors and locals. Biking the trails along the flat river delta is a leisurely way to get some fresh air while you see the sights. Rent a bike from a shop in town, or borrow one of the Lime e-bikes or e-scooters found throughout the city by downloading the Lime app.
Chart a course on the Bike the Dyke route for a gentle, scenic ride along the Middle Arm Trail in North Richmond, the West Dyke Trail along the Strait of Georgia, and the South Dyke Trail through Steveston Village. You can make a day out of the 13.5-kilometre (8.4-mile) one-way route by stopping at open spaces and attractions on the way. Cycle past the Richmond Olympic Oval, stop at Terra Nova Rural Park to stroll and visit the bee garden, and enjoy a picnic lunch at Garry Point Park in Steveston, complete with views of the Salish Sea and Gulf Islands.
Spot rare birds along the Pacific Flyway
Photo: Tourism Richmond
You’re likely to see bald eagles and red-winged blackbirds on your two-wheeled spin through Richmond, but for more elusive species, make for the trove of birding hotspots that are best accessed on two feet. The city’s location along the Fraser River and Salish Sea puts it right on the Pacific Flyway, a migratory route for hundreds of bird species.
Borrow a Birdwatching ExplorePACK from the Richmond Public Library and head to Iona Beach Regional Park. The backpack’s binoculars and field guide will come in handy to help you identify showy species like green herons, belted kingfishers, spotted towhees, and black-headed grosbeaks, whether they’re perched or flitting between cattails near the ponds. Terra Nova Rural Park and Garry Point Park are two more places where you can walk the trails in search of great blue herons, cedar waxwings, goldfinches, and other stunners.
With so many things to do in Richmond, BC, it’s no surprise the city’s residents are always on the go. Start planning your visit to get in on the action, and see what wonders await you in the province’s most quintessential waterfront community. 