Beaches & Swimming around Vancouver BC

Nestled in ocean pockets surrounding the urban centre, Vancouver's beaches promise clean water, sandy shores and spectacular views.
Each one - Jericho, Spanish Bank, Kitsilano, Ambleside, Wreck, 2nd and 3rd, and Centennial - boasts its own unique ambiance and personality.

Amble along the shores of Jericho, take a dip at Spanish Bank, cheer on volleyball matches at Kitsilano or appreciate the sunset at 2nd Beach. For those who want to bare it all, head to Wreck Beach with its birthday-suit dress code.
The best sunning and swimming months in Vancouver are June through August. Be prepared for crowds on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays during the summer months as city beaches are popular with locals.

Jericho Beach

Jericho, located on English Bay's south shore, is a 54-ha (134-ac) waterfront park and beach, famous for an endless sandy strip as well as spectacular mountain and city views.

A great place for the entire family, Jericho has it all: picnic and barbeque areas, sailing and kayaking, volleyball and tennis, jogging and sunbathing all make up the active fabric of this lively landscape. The beach also has concession stands, change rooms, showers and toilets.

Jericho Beach is approximately 20 minutes by car from downtown Vancouver.

Spanish Banks

Just west of Jericho lies English Bay's Spanish Bank. Its impressive stretch of clean sandy beach has earned Spanish Bank a place in the hearts of locals and visitors alike.

As with most Vancouver beaches, you'll find a concession stand, change rooms and public washrooms. Grassy areas abound, making a sand-free encounter with a good book possible. For those who would rather leave the beach-reading for another day, views of the city skyline and cruise ships gliding past leave much for the eye to take in.

Spanish Bank is located about 25 minutes from downtown Vancouver.

A word or two on your excursion:
• Dogs are permitted at Spanish Bank West

Kits Beach

"Kits" Beach is a 12.6-ha (31.1-ac) waterfront park and one of the city's most popular warm-weather destinations. Swimmers and sunbathers cheerfully crowd its sandy beach and heated, saltwater pool all summer long.

While the beach's active shores of sand, grass and sports courts attract beachgoers as well as volleyball, tennis and basketball players, the pool's size -almost three times as large as an Olympic pool- is well divided, allowing for swimmers of all levels. You'll also find a concession stand, change rooms, public washroom and showers for your convenience.

Kitsilano Beach is about a 15-minute drive from downtown Vancouver.

A word or two on your excursion:
• Admission fee in effect for the pool (open summers only)

Ambleside Park Beach

Ambleside Park is well loved by locals for its long, sandy beach and sunny shores. It offers sweeping views of the city, Stanley Park and Lions Gate Bridge, as well as fishing boats and cruise ships.

The beach's playground is a favourite with kids, while the area's terrific swimming appeals to visitors of all ages. Feel free to pack a picnic lunch, bring your own barbecue or visit the concession stand. On-site change rooms, public washrooms and showers are available for your convenience.

Ambleside Park is about a 15-minute drive from downtown Vancouver.

A word or two on your excursion:
• There is a well-marked off-leash dog area

Wreck Beach

Wreck Beach

A clothing-optional destination, Vancouver's Wreck Beach has a personality all its own. For decades the beach has been a mecca for those sunbathers who prefer birthday to bathing suits.

Vendors' Row is unique to the beach, offering gourmet fare from falafels to English trifle and buffalo burgers. Visitors are also welcome to purchase hand-made jewellery, sarongs and even services such as a pedicure or massage.

Just when you thought your visit to Wreck Beach couldn't be more memorable, you'll hear the beat of the beach drums just before sunset - one more Wreck Beach ritual.

Access to Wreck Beach is on foot starting west of Spanish Bank, about a 25-minute drive from downtown Vancouver.

A word or two on your excursion:
• Please respect the "Clothes-Beyond-This-Point" signs

A word or two on safety:
• No lifeguards on duty

Stanley Park Beach



Stanley Park's 2nd Beach and 3rd Beach

Visitors to Stanley Park's two spectacular beaches, 2nd and 3rd, are in for a treat.

The beaches are named for where they fall in sequence along the Seawall. 2nd Beach, in the park's southwest corner, is the sunnier and busier of the two, boasting stellar views of English Bay. Just slightly rocky, the beach is popular with Vancouver locals, who also take advantage of the beach's warm outdoor pool.

3rd Beach, between Ferguson Point and Siwash Rock on the park's west side, is a pleasant and popular beach. Sunsets from 3rd offer incomparable vistas.

Both beaches have concession stands, change rooms and public washrooms for your convenience.

Stanley Park is within easy walking distance just west of downtown Vancouver.

A word or two on your excursion:
• Admission fee in effect for the pool (open summers only)

Centenial Park Beach

Centennial Beach

On the western shores of Boundary Bay in Tsawwassen, Centennial Beach is renowned for having one of the warmest and cleanest soft-sand beaches in the area. Sand dunes, salt marshes, tidal flats and lagoons as well as picnic areas and several nature trails add to a memorable beach experience.

Nature lovers are also attracted to the area's wildlife reserves and internationally recognized important bird area - a critical rest stop for thousands of birds on the Pacific Flyway migration route.

The beach offers a concession stand and public washrooms for your convenience.

Centennial Beach is located in Boundary Bay Regional Park, about a one-hour drive south of downtown Vancouver via Highway 99.

A word or two on your excursion:
• Dogs must be on leash at all times

A word or two on safety:
• No lifeguards on duty