Published on Jul, 2023

The Museum is accessed via the False Creek Ferry - the landing stage is near the Aquatic Centre - (or you can drive/walk over the Burrard Street bridge). On arrival spare a few minutes to have a look at the historic yachts and boats moored there. The Museum itself is just a short walk from there, is a modern building and is air conditioned. One of their main exhibits is the "St Roch" which was an RCMP boat and was the first (apart from the Inuits) to navigate the North West Passage, with the help of an Inuit guide and his family of 7 and a number of Huskies, who lived on a small tent on deck. The boat has some narrow corridors so time on board is limited, but if you are lucky enough to get there early, you may get some extra time. The rest of the Museum had very interesting exhibits, a special display on the Prohibition Era, when rum-running from Canada to the US was big business. There were exhibits on fishing, maritime commerce etc, and a number of cinema posters with a nautical theme. The Museum closes at 5 pm, well in time to catch the last ferry back. There is no cafe/restaurant at the Museum so either take a picnic to eat outside or take a short walk up to Cornwall Avenue where there are a number of eateries.

Published on Apr, 2023

Very well done museum. Our 4 kids age 6 to 13 had a great time with the interactive displays. Learned a lot about polar exploration. The RCMP St Roch ship was one of the most interesting I’ve been on (including Aircraft Carriers and Battleships). A must stop if visiting Granville Island.

Published on Oct, 2022

Read the review by BenLar137 below. It is very thorough, and I share the high praises. What I can add is that, with the current competition for conflicting claims of sovereignty over the Artic region, a thorough knowledge of the accomplishments of Larsen and the St. Roch has never been more relevant. In addition, the museum houses a small exhibit and the bell from the "Princess Sophia," the Canadian Pacific Steamship which sank off Juneau, Alaska, in 1918, with no survivors after hitting a submerged reef - a little-known maritime tragedy. The passenger ship exhibit with fantastic models is very worthwhile. To add to the experience, go to the museum by False Creek Ferries (note that the Aquabus line does not reach that far).

Published on Apr, 2022

These days, it's so important to remember the heroes of the past, along with those of today. While the Bluenose is Canada's most famous ship, the St Roch, which has been brilliantly preserved and is on display here, is by far the most accomplished. And the person who was at the helm to achieve these accomplishments (first ship to circumnavigate North America via the Panama Canal; first ship to transit the Northwest Passage west to east; first ship to transit the Northwest Passage in one season, on it's second Arctic expedition, returning to Vancouver from St Johns, going west to east) was Captain Henry Larsen. Canada is SO lucky to have this hero in our history books, and it's a shame so few Canadians know what he's done...