Like the country itself, The Great Trail of Canada stretches across not only land but also rivers, inlets and lakes. When summery weather has you dreaming of hitting the water, check out these delightfully diverse paddling opportunities that showcase Canada’s cultures and natural beauty.

1-Paddle to your morning coffee on the Sea to Sky Marine Trail

This newly developed water route traverses the Howe Sound northwest of Vancouver. With a backdrop of snow-capped mountains in the distance, get a close-up look at rocky islands, old-growth forest and waterfalls before pulling in to relax at one of the trail’s 10 scenic tenting sites.

Once hard-hit by heavy industry, the Howe Sound’s ecosystem is making a comeback all the way up to the large predators, according to Gordon McKeever, who helped to plan the marine trail in an effort to foster an environmentally sustainable economy in the region. Lucky paddlers might find themselves sharing the water with harbour seals, Pacific white-sided dolphins, California sea lions or even the occasional whale, says Norm Hann, a local expedition guide and conservationist. His favourite stretch runs from his home in Squamish to Britannia Beach, where a friend of his runs a café. “I call it the coffee run,” he says, “and it’s the perfect way to start the day.”

Keep reading at the Great Trail.

Photo courtesy of Ruth Hartnup.