The Best
Vancouver Beaches!

Edited February 2023

So... you are looking for the best Vancouver beaches! The best beaches of Vancouver are lively, refreshing and offer great views.  With many restaurants or concession stands within walking distance, many of Vancouver's beaches are perfect for those who love to spend a complete day at the beach without having to pack a lunch!

During the summer months there are also quite a few entertainers to enjoy at English Bay and Granville Island Market. Beginning with the most popular South facing Vancouver beaches for sun worshipers, many tourists and locals alike, enjoy the best of Vancouver beaches at Stanley Park. Most beaches (closest to city centre) are on the North side of Stanley Park with southern exposure.

English Bay or First Beach (Link to our page)

English Bay Beach is the most popular of all Vancouver Beaches. First Beach as it is sometimes called, offers the best access to Vancouver's waterfront restaurants, great sunsets and at Stanley Park's doorstep!

During full summer season you may enjoy some volleyball on its two volleyball courts! If you prefer to lie down on the lawn there is also a large grassy area for cooler relaxation!

Favourite Vancouver waterfront restaurants at English Bay Beach include: The Cactus Club Cafe at English Bay offers a superb patio! Sylvia's Restaurant at the historic Sylvia Hotel . For more of the best Vancouver waterfront restaurants please visit our BWD Vancouver Waterfront Restaurants page. 

During the Celebration of Light Festival English Bay Beach is definitely the busiest of all Vancouver beaches during the month of July and August! This is a spectacular display of fireworks not to be missed!

Here is a video of fireworks you may view from Vancouver Beaches.

Second Beach & Second Beach Pool (Link to our page)

Heading into Stanley Park a little bit you may enjoy Second Beach. This Vancouver beach is a little smaller but also has a fabulous heated outdoor pool. Second Beach pool accommodates length swimmers and families alike and the surrounding view is fantastic. This is a great aerial photo of Second Beach and the outdoor pool.

Second beach pool is open from late May to Labour Day in early September! There is a children's play park equipped with swings and slides. There is also a pitch and put within 5 minutes for Dad! This is possibly one of the best Vancouver beaches to entertain the whole family! Visit our exclusive page on Second Beach and its beautiful heated pool! 

Also, you may enjoy this video of Second Beach, Vancouver.

Third Beach

Third Beach is one of the quietest of Vancouver beaches. Also located in Stanley Park and facing south, it is shielded from city noises by the looming forest making it a perfect getaway for those looking for a quieter spot for swimming, suntanning and great sunsets!

Benefits of Third beach are:

• On the Stanley Park Seawall system

• Concession stand

• Washrooms

• Small B.B.Q. allowed (subject to restrictions)

• Lifeguarded Victoria Day (late May) to Labour Day (early September)

Special note! You will only be able to reach this beach by car by driving from the North side of Stanley Park as most of Stanley Park is one way driving! Or... Park at Second Beach and walk there. You will love the walk!

Here is a video of Third Beach.

Sunset Beach

Sunset Beach is the closest beach to the newly developed part of Vancouver named Yaletown.

Situated across Granville Island Market, Sunset Beach is at the entrance to many of Vancouver's Marinas. If you love to see beautiful boats launching into the ocean this will be your spot! There are boat rentals or yacht charters available at Granville Island Market.

One of my favorite Vancouver waterfront restaurants close to this beach has to be Bridges Restaurant. This is a great restaurant for lunch. Just kick back and watch the boats go by! Just take the Aqua Bus across to Granville Island market and grab whatever you have a craving for. There's lots of other restaurants to choose from!
Benefits of Sunset Beach are:

• On the Stanley Park Seawall system • Concession

• Washroom

• Lifeguarded Victoria Day (late May) to Labour Day (early September) • Sand Volleyball court. (1)

• Quiet Beach (no amplified music)

• Access to False Creek Aqua Buses Pier. (This is great for going over to Granville Island for a quick bight to eat!

• Dogs allowed in off leash area for well behaved dogs near the Aquatic Centre at posted areas, from 6 am to 10 pm.

Here is a video of Sunset Beach!

Kitsilano Beach or Kits Beach (Link to our page)

Kitsilano Beach or Kits Beach is one of Vancouver's best beaches. Large with great views of the city of Vancouver, the ocean and the beautiful mountains! There is plenty to do at Kits Beach. Volleyball, tennis, basketball, swimming in the ocean or in the largest heated salt water pool in Canada!

The neighborhood of Kitsilano is definitely upscale with gorgeous oceanfront homes, great restaurants and more. Although you will not find waterfront hotels in this area you may find a few great vacation homes or Bed and Breakfasts in Kitsilano

Kits beach itself has good sand and calm waters with lifeguards on duty during summer months. The Boathouse Restaurant on Kits Beach. (formerly the Watermark Restaurant) offers beautiful views and great food. Find out more about Kits Beach here at our Kitsilano Beach page! 

Here is a video of Kits Beach, Vancouver

Jericho Beach (Link to our page)

Jericho Beach offers lovely North facing views of the Vancouver skyline and the North shore mountains. It is one of the quieter Vancouver beaches so, if you want a little more space and find easier parking, we would recommend this beach.

Close to Jericho Beach you will find the only beach hostel in Vancouver. You may also learn to sail at the Jericho Sailing Association or Kayak from Ecomarine Ocean Kayak Centre. 

Locarno Beach

Locarno Beach is designated as a "quiet beach" meaning no amplified music. Only the sound of waves and people enjoying a fun day at the beach. Locarno Beach is located between Jericho Beach and Spanish Bank in the prestigious West Point Grey neighbourhood.

A great place to watch the large freighters from shore. At low tide this beach is great for skim boarders.

Locarno Beach has great sand and also has tall evergreen trees close by for those who love the beach but also want a bit of shade.

Features of Locarno Beach are:

• On the Seaside Seawall system (great for strolls or cycling)

• Quiet beach (no amplified music)

• Concession

• Washroom

• BBQ coals disposal receptacle

• Picnic tables

• Sand Volleyball courts (6)! Plus an additional 2 at the Locarno Picnic Site.

• Swimming raft

• Free Parking!

• Lifeguarded Victoria Day (late May) to Labour Day (early September)

• Evergreens to provide shaded areas.

Spanish Banks

Spanish Banks Beach is made up of three sections. The East, The Extension and The West. This makes it the longest stretch of all of Vancouver Beaches.

Located just West of Locarno Beach, Spanish Banks shares many of the same characteristics. Nice shady areas for cooler areas to enjoy.

At low tide it stretches out a long ways providing perfect shallow pools for skim boarding!
A total of 16 sand volleyball courts! Eight located on the East and another 8 on the West banks.

The East Bank of Spanish Banks gives superb views of Vancouver's city skyline and the West Bank, the open ocean! Being a bit out of the city this is probably one of the quietest Vancouver beaches!

Benefits of the Spanish Banks are:

• On the Seaside Seawall system

• Concession

• Washroom

• BBQs permitted

• Picnic tables

• Lifeguarded Victoria Day (late May) to Labour Day (early September)

• Free Parking

• A total of 16 sand volleyball courts! Eight located on the East and another 8 on the West banks.

Spanish Bank West has the added bonus of:

• Quiet Beach (no amplified music)

• Dogs allowed, off-leash area (for well behaved dogs 200m west of the concession)

Here is a video of Spanish Banks, Vancouver!

Trout Lake

Trout Lake is located on the East side of Vancouver. A very small lake focused on family fun. Not totally suited as a true beach or waterfront destination but good enough for a cooling dip on hot summer days. The beach is a children's beach where neighbourhood kids can play. On the North side of the lake is the off leash area for well behaved dogs.

On summer Saturdays there is a weekly farmer's market that filled with fresh produce (mostly organic), arts and crafts. It makes for a great start to the weekend!

Trout Lake is close to the trendy Commercial Drive area of Vancouver. "The Drive" is renowned for cafes and restaurants!

This park also provides the community with an ice rink, community centre and great play areas for the kids. This is really a little gem in the big city

Benefits Trout Lake and park are:

• Fresh water lake.

• Lifeguarded Victoria Day (late May) to Labour Day (early September) south end of lake.

• No boating without Park Board authorization

• Swimming raft

• Play fields (baseball and soccer)

• Basketball Court

• Tennis Courts

• Ice Rink

• Concession

• Washrooms

• Picnic area

• Bbq's permitted

• Dog off leash area north end of lake

• Free parking

We hope this page has helped you with your search for the best of Vancouver beaches!

Vancouver Beaches Interactive Map

View West Coast Canada Beaches Map in a larger map Looking for the best interactive map of Vancouver beaches? Here is best-waterfront-destinations.com's map of where you may find the best beaches of Vancouver! You can enlarge the map by clicking the link just below the map. A little man at the top left corner can be dragged and dropped so you can have a virtual view of many areas as well as many pictures! The beaches of Vancouver are clearly marked.

• Please Note •
Effective July 27, 2010

Vancouver Beaches, Parks and Golf Courses are
"No Smoking Zones"

In order to save you a potentially embarrassing moment while visiting the city of Vancouver we feel the need inform you of the following smoking ban on "Vancouver owned" beaches, parks and golf courses.

The city of Vancouver has implemented a by-law that restricts smoking in public parks, Vancouver beaches and city owned golf courses. The no smoking or smoking ban by-law was to take effect on September 1 2010 but has been implemented since July 27, 2010.

Below is the link regarding the no smoking or smoking ban by-law for Vancouver.

* Park Board approves smoke-free parks and beaches *

Warning: Always use extreme caution at any beach you may visit. Water conditions change from day to day depending on weather etc..  Never swim alone and supervise children at all times. Rogue waves may occur anytime.

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