Lots of Vancouver Island resorts offer those seaside amusements, but others are opting for the other end of the spectrum - quiet, meditative, thoughtful.
This is a part of the country with a reputation for embracing organic food and mysticism. These days, some hippy-era retreats of me-centred contemplation have keyed their offerings to a wired world in deep recession.
John Shields, executive director of Haven on Gabriola Island, says that despite the economic downturn, his facility's month-long program for couples in August has already 40 participants registered - just about full capacity.
It's not always that full, he says.
"As (people's) anxiety goes up, their interest in coming to Haven to work with their personal demons really does continue," Shields says.
"I think there might be a direct correlation between tougher economic challenges and people's need to have more resiliency and have more ability to respond to life's challenges."
The retreat's signature month-long self-exploration program is also booking up. The Come Alive program runs 20 times per year and encourages participants to use breathing, relaxation and group-circle techniques.
It is "an opportunity to unblock your energy, discover your resources and realize your full potential," says the Haven's website.
Adds Shields: "It's exhilarating work."
When the Hollyhock retreat was first established on Cortes Island in 1982, the focus was similarly on inner work.
But these days, Hollyhock bills itself as offering "learning holidays."
It's more about "bringing what people learn back home and putting it to practical use, rather than just gaining your own personal insight," says Greg Osoba, Hollyhock's marketing director.
This month, for example, the retreat is offering a four-day workshop on non-violent communication, with an aim to breaking "through old limiting patterns" to teach participants "a powerful way of communicating that is deeply satisfying and ultimately liberating."
There's also a five-day course on spiritual chanting with Krishna Das, and there's the option of spending five days with the spa's head organic gardener, chef and naturalist.
"Hollyhock exists to inspire, nourish and support people who are making the world better," said Osoba. "That's our mission statement."
Osoba said his facility has definitely been affected by the recession, but added that things haven't been as tough on Hollyhock as in some other places.
Visitors are hoping to come away from their holiday at Hollyhock with some "practical skills" to weather the downturn, he said.
Hollyhock covers all the bases, though. Kayaking, full spa body treatments and top-end organic food are also on offer for anyone wanting a more traditional resort holiday.
Ocean Resort, at Oyster Bay on Vancouver Island, has deliberately chosen not to offer those types of packages.
Lucas Stiefvater says he was once in the pampering business, providing guests at another Vancouver Island resort with massage sessions and gourmet food.
But a trip to India changed his life, and now the 60-year-old businessman says he's focused on providing guests at Ocean Resort, just south of Campbell River, with something more internal and transformational.
He calls it stillness, or "that place of calmness, peace, contentment and joy, and sort of lightness within."
"After I got in touch with the stillness, not just intellectually, but really had the feeling of what stillness really is, I said I want to create a place where the stillness can be experienced, the stillness is honoured and the stillness can be practised," said Stiefvater, who owns the resort.
He says in these economic times people are looking for answers.
Visitors have the opportunity to meditate in a sanctuary overlooking the Strait of Georgia and Desolation Sound, read or watch spiritual DVDs in the library, participate in life coaching sessions, or just sit in a sauna and work out in the exercise room.
Soon they'll also be able to walk a driftwood labyrinth, currently under construction.
