Quick Info
- Location Bayview Street, Steveston Village, Richmond
- What it is A working fishing harbour where local fishers sell fresh catch directly off their boats
- Best time to visit Weekend mornings, when the most vendors are out
- Peak season Spot prawn season, typically mid-May through June
- Cost Free to walk the boardwalk; seafood is purchased directly from vendors
- Parking Free short-term street parking nearby, plus paid lots when it fills up
- Good for Buying fresh seafood, photography, a waterfront stroll
- Nearby Steveston Village shops, restaurants, and Gulf of Georgia Cannery
About Steveston Fisherman’s Wharf
Steveston Fisherman’s Wharf sits along Bayview Street at the western edge of Steveston Village, where a floating boardwalk runs alongside dozens of working fishing boats. It is part of Steveston Harbour, home to Canada’s largest small craft fishing fleet, and it remains one of the few places in Metro Vancouver where visitors can buy seafood straight off the boat from the fishers who caught it.
Beyond the seafood sales, the wharf is simply a pleasant place to walk. Colourful fishing vessels bob along the docks, gulls and the occasional sea lion patrol the water, and the surrounding boardwalk connects easily into the rest of Steveston Village, including its shops, cafes, and the historic Gulf of Georgia Cannery a short walk away.
Buying Fresh Seafood
Fishers moor their boats along the docks and sell their catch directly to the public, with offerings that typically include salmon, halibut, rockfish, shrimp, sea urchin, and Dungeness crab, depending on the season. The most anticipated event on the wharf’s calendar is spot prawn season, which usually runs from mid-May into June and draws crowds eager to buy the prawns fresh off the boat.
Not every boat sells every day, and availability depends entirely on what has been caught, so it is worth treating a visit as a chance to see what is fresh rather than shopping for something specific. Cash is commonly preferred at the dock, and prices are set by individual vendors rather than posted centrally.
Good to Know Before You Go
- Weekend mornings typically bring out the most vendors and the freshest selection
- Not all boats sell seafood every day, this depends on the catch and the season
- Bring cash, as many vendors sell directly off their boats without card payment
- The boardwalk connects directly into Steveston Village, making it easy to combine with lunch or shopping
Walking the Boardwalk
Even without buying anything, strolling the floating boardwalk is one of the simplest and most rewarding things to do in Steveston. The wharf offers close-up views of the fishing fleet, working nets and gear, and the everyday rhythms of a harbour that has supported commercial fishing in this stretch of the Fraser River for generations.
Fishing boats moored gunwale to gunwale, gulls circling overhead, and the smell of the Fraser River air make Fisherman’s Wharf one of the few working harbours in Metro Vancouver you can walk right through.
Getting There and Parking
Fisherman’s Wharf is located on Bayview Street at the western end of Steveston Village, an easy walk from the village’s main shopping streets. Free short-term street parking is available in the surrounding area, though it fills up quickly on sunny weekends, and paid parking lots are available nearby as a backup.
Photo Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Steveston Fisherman’s Wharf free to visit?
Yes, walking the boardwalk and viewing the harbour is free. You only pay if you choose to buy seafood from one of the vendors.
What is the best time to visit Fisherman’s Wharf?
Weekend mornings tend to bring out the most vendors and the best selection of fresh seafood, though the boardwalk itself is worth a visit any time.
Can I buy seafood directly from the fishing boats?
Yes, local fishers sell their catch, which can include salmon, halibut, rockfish, shrimp, sea urchin, and Dungeness crab depending on the season, directly from their boats along the dock.
When is spot prawn season at Fisherman’s Wharf?
Spot prawn season typically runs from mid-May through June, and it is one of the most popular times to visit the wharf, though exact dates vary by year and catch.
Is there parking near Fisherman’s Wharf?
Free short-term street parking is available nearby, along with paid parking lots as a backup, though spots can fill quickly on busy weekends.
Is Fisherman’s Wharf close to the rest of Steveston Village?
Yes, the wharf sits at the western edge of Steveston Village and connects easily on foot to the village’s shops, restaurants, and the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site.
Continue Exploring Steveston Village
Pair a visit to the wharf with the shops of Steveston Village or step back in time at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery.
Explore Steveston Village Visit Gulf of Georgia Cannery