Dip your toes in these Vancouver beaches for a taste of what BC’s beautiful capital city has to offer.
Like many Canadian cities, Vancouver is one that comes alive in the summer. The days are long and the rainy spring months have passed, so locals and tourists are ready to hit the beach for some sea, sand, sun, and water sports. With the Pacific Ocean at her front door and the Rocky Mountains serving as the picture-perfect backdrop, a day at the beach is the best way to experience all that Vancouver has to offer. Sound enticing? Here’s a list of the 9 best beaches in Vancouver.
Best 9 beaches in Vancouver, BC
Our top picks for any type of traveller
From award-winning nude beaches to dog-friendly beach breaks, be prepared to be impressed with these best beaches in Vancouver, BC.
English Bay Beach
Best Vancouver beach for: a beach break with cityscapes
Vancouver International Airport: Approximately 14km
We’re gonna start this list off strong with English Bay Beach, one of the most perfectly-placed beaches in Vancouver. This bustling and beautiful Vancouver beach is right in the heart of the city’s West End, home of the Davie Village neighbourhood and lots of amazing restaurants and things to do.
Open year-round to the public, locals often come here in the late afternoon before heading to a nearby patio for sunset. English Bay is also a great starting point to start a wander along the iconic Vancouver Seawall, as it’s right along the Stanley Park-Seawall Path. Check out the Inukshuk statue on the left side of the beach!
Kitsilano Beach
Best Vancouver beach for: West Coast vibes
Vancouver International Airport: Approximately 12km
Affectionately known as “Kits”, Kitsilano is a central neighbourhood in Vancouver where you’ll find some of this city’s hippest and hottest folks. Locals swarm here in the summer for a much-needed beach break, where you’re bound to catch them engaged in some beach volleyball or a game of ultimate frisbee. The Kitsilano Pool nearby is a hit with the kiddos, an outdoor heated saltwater pool that’s actually the largest one in the country. Sunset here at Kitsilano Beach is particularly cozy as you’ll get more calm and local vibes, plus those golden hour views of North Vancouver right across the beach which are unmatched.
While you’re in the Kitsilano area, make sure to hit up some of Vancouver’s bucket list places like Zulu Records, a Kitsilano establishment that’s been in the neighbourhood for over four decades. Hungry? You must check out The Naam, the oldest vegetarian restaurant in Vancouver that serves up some of the best veggie food in the city in my humble opinion.
Spanish Banks
Best Vancouver beach for: dog-friendly beach mixed with outdoor adventuring
Vancouver International Airport: Approximately 15km
A couple of neighbourhoods down from Kitsilano is Spanish Banks Beach, one of the best dog-friendly beaches in Vancouver that’s also perfect for nature lovers looking to explore Vancouver’s amazing outdoors. Spanish Banks is actually made up of three beaches – Spanish Bank East, Spanish Bank West, and Spanish Bank Extension. And all of them have a little something for everyone.
The Spanish Banks is truly a gem if you’re looking for a bit of adventure on your trip to Vancouver. There’s almost 40 volleyball courts in Spanish Bank East and West combined, and these beaches also boast great skimboarding and kiteboarding opportunities.
Travelling with your pup? Head to Spanish Bank Extension Beach, which is complete with an off-leash area for doggies.
Third Beach
Best Vancouver beach for: sun and sand in Stanley Park
Vancouver International Airport: Approximately 18km
Vancouver’s Third Beach is located right in Stanley Park, the largest park in the city and the third largest in all of North America. Stanley Park makes up a huge part of downtown Vancouver, where you can explore the trails inside the park or take a walk along the Seawall, an 10-kilometre oceanfront walk and bike path. And tucked away behind one of the Seawall’s scenic curves you’ll find Third Beach, an ideal spot to take a break on the huge piece of driftwood along the beach and take in those epic Vancouver views.
There’s plenty of amenities at Third Beach, making it an inviting recluse after exploring the wonders of Stanley Park. You can swim (lifeguards present during the summer months), barbecue, buy a snack at the concession stand, use the facilities, and refill your water bottle.
Come to Third Beach on Tuesdays and join in on Brahms Tam Drum Circle, a free community-driven event that takes place every week from March through September from around 6pm until sundown.
Travel tip: This Vancouver beach is alcohol-free. Also, please note there’s no volleyball or any water sport rentals available at the beach.
Jericho Beach
Best Vancouver beach for: family fun and late afternoon waterfront picnics
Vancouver International Airport: Approximately 13km
Further out from bustling Kitsilano Beach is Jericho Beach, where you’ll find fancy pants establishments like the Jericho Tennis Club and Royal Vancouver Yacht Club (members-only) as well as some beautiful sand and shade for a more calm but adventure-filled beach break that’s a great option for the whole family.
On top of the free tennis courts nearby, you’re bound to make friends sailing, skimboarding, playing volleyball, or just relaxing on the beach with a picnic. Jericho Beach is a bit outside of the downtown core, which gives this Vancouver beach a much more local vibe. Plus, you’ll get amazing views of the city skyline from a distance while lounging on the sand. As for an unforgettable summer day, you can’t really top a warm and sunny afternoon at Jericho Beach.
Sunset Beach
Best Vancouver beach for: a dog-friendly beach great for people watching
Vancouver International Airport: Approximately 13.5km
Head about ten minutes south of English Bay Beach and you’ll hit Sunset Beach. This beautiful Vancouver beach isn’t just for sunset (although those Pacific sunsets do tend to be quite glorious!) as there’s lots to love about this beach before and after taking those sunset selfies.
Sunset Beach is a free, public city beach with a ton of amenities, including an off-leash area so the doggos can run free. This stretch of sand is located right by one of the busiest parts of the pedestrian-friendly Seawall, so you know it’s a great spot for people watching. There’s lifeguards on duty during the day from May to September, concessions stands, restrooms, making for another perfect beach break on a wander along the Seawall.
Especially during the summer months, Vancouver’s Sunset Beach is always an amazing mix of locals and tourists living their best West Coast life.
Trout Lake Beach
Best Vancouver beach for: the city’s only freshwater beach
Vancouver International Airport: Approximately 13km
Trout Lake is best know for being Vancouver’s only freshwater beach. It’s on a man-made lake located in the area of East Van, where all beachgoers can enjoy all the basic amenities of the other beautiful beaches in the city, including a picnic area, restrooms, and lifeguards during the summer. No big Pacific waves here at Trout Lake, so it’s a much more swimmable beach in Vancouver.
If you’re visiting on the weekend, every Saturday from April through October is the beloved Trout Lake Farmer’s Market where you can enjoy lots of fresh BC produce, other organic foods, food trucks, and more.
Wreck Beach
Best Vancouver beach for: baring it all
Vancouver International Airport: Approximately 17km
Rocky, rugged, and clothing optional, Wreck Beach is your go-to if you’re looking for the best nude beaches in Vancouver. It’s located right by UBC Campus and the trip here is a workout in itself, as it’s a breathtaking (literally) 500-step trip down to the shore. Don’t forget there’s the journey out, too!
Filled with character, Wreck is actually Canada’s largest nude beach. It’s really grown in popularity over the years, and it was even recently named the best urban nude beach in the world by the website Nude Beach Camp. Safe to say that if you’re a nude beach enthusiast, head out to Vancouver’s Wreck Beach and find your people.
Dundarave Beach
Best West Vancouver beach for: swimming in the suburbs
Vancouver International Airport: Approximately 23.5km
If you find yourself in West Vancouver, you have to check out Dundarave Beach, a great nature escape in this very affluent Vancouver suburb (remember the Real Housewives of West Vancouver?!).
A playground for the kiddies, a swimmer’s dock, wading pools, and lots of other amenities make Dundarave Beach a perfect pick for a family beach day in Vancouver if you’re looking for a more local experience. Complete with the Dundarave Village nearby means that you can go for a bite or stock up on some snack to-go before you hit the beach.
So, which of these Vancouver beaches will you be visiting this summer?
Vancouver beach tips:
Bring a sweater or a light raincoat with you to the beach! You never know when the weather can change.
Not every beach in Vancouver is swimmable. Always check for a lifeguard on duty or any warning signs posted by the beach about swimming restrictions or safety precautions.
Bring your favourite refillable water bottle with you to the beach, as many of the public Vancouver beaches have restrooms and concession stands to use.
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