The best beaches in Vancouver

Downtown Vancouver flows right into this small oasis of a beachfront, making it the perfect stretch of sand for midday work walks and post-cocktail evening strolls. With only a rollerskate, pedestrian and bike-friendly boardwalk known as the Seawall separating the concrete jungle from the sand, this beach also features some popular spots for waterfront dinners with a view of the English Bay.

Stroll or bike along the Arbutus Greenway (a reinvented railway corridor) through the city, and at the end, you’ll find yourself at a pot of gold: Kitsilano Beach. One of the most popular hangout spots for locals, Kits Beach offers volleyball nets, basketball courts, and the longest outdoor, saltwater swimming pool in Canada. The relaxed, radiant atmosphere of the hippy-trendy neighbourhood is also the birthplace of Lululemon Athletica (located right next to the Molson Coors brewery). 

Another local favourite, Wreck Beach is the largest naturist beach in North America at almost five miles long. Though you don’t have to go in the nude, the beach is famous for its natural beauty and secluded landscape, which may just inspire you to skinny-dip. 

More of a waterfront park than a beach, Deep Cove is the local hike and kayak spot. Drive over the Lions Gate Bridge up to North Vancouver to find this hidden cove of the Burrard Inlet, and enjoy the calm waters as you kayak between two woodsy shores of the Indian Arm. If you’re not looking to get on the waters, hike up Quarry Rock instead for a jaw-dropping lookout point.

True to its name, this is the spot for iconic Vancouver sunsets, with the yachts of Vanier Park just across the water and the beautiful Burrard Bridge looming overhead. Located just past English Bay Beach along the Seawall, the sister beaches are separated by a majestic Inukshuk statue. Visitors often make their own renditions of the statue out of sand and leave them at the base. You can also access this beach via a tiny ferry from Granville Island, Yaletown, or Vanier Park to experience the sparkling waters yourself.

Located just opposite the Deep Cove, Belcarra’s shorelines offer plenty to do, whether you arrive by land or sea. Driving through Belcarra Regional Park means you can stop and challenge yourself to any of its moderate-to-rigorous hikes in the misty woods before rewarding yourself with the waterfront view. Bring your crab traps for crabbing on the dock, or just go seastar and jellyfish seeking along the pebbly shore.

Surrounded by the grand forestry of Stanley Park and more secluded than the other bustling beaches of the downtown peninsula, Third Beach offers clear, swimmable waters and a view of the mountains just across. Stumble across this surprise as you bike the Seawall, or plan your visit around a woodsy hike and an afternoon at the Teahouse. Just be warned: clothing is optional.

There are two reasons to opt for a beach outside of the downtown centre: tranquillity and the view of the city skyline. The view from Jericho Beach, a shady alcove located right by a sailing club, is what draws families and visitors across the city to this tree-lined, secluded beach spot. You’ll see downtown and the North Shore mountains just beyond, and make sure to watch out for rabbits, otters and of course, the friendly neighbourhood Fidos all hanging out by the sandy waters. 

Looking for a beach party spot? Spanish Banks is blessed with eight beach volleyball courts, widespread picnic areas and a location far from the crowds of downtown or Kits. Grassy areas make this beach perfect for barbecuing (bring your own grill), and music is always being cranked up on the east end. At low tide, the sandy banks go out for miles, making for an adventurous walk out to the water with tide pools galore. Also, this beach has one of the biggest off-leash dog parks in the city, so feel free to let the pups have their bit of fun too.

This lesser-known sandy stretch between Jericho and Spanish Banks is Vancouver’s designated quiet beach. With no amplified sound permitted in the area, this spot is the go-to for romantic walks on the beach or small picnics with friends. Comb the beach for all sorts of shells (and sea stars!), take a sunny nap, and then hop in for a dip in the sea to wrap up a hassle-free beach day. Weather a bit on the breezier side? Go wind-surfing or fly a kite instead.

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Though technically outside of Vancouver, the beachside views of this enormous (and gorgeous) lake make it well worth the drive. Grab your biggest floaty, rent a paddleboard, and make a day out of exploring and relaxing by the shores of this tree-lined lake, which is a popular summer destination for visitors and local families alike. With lavender farms nearby and local fruit stands galore, the drive up through Chilliwack has plenty to offer along the way. Got kids? Cultus Lake Waterpark is the biggest in the province.

Located only a half hour’s drive from the U.S. border, this rocky beach is perfect for a stroll and sunset to bookend a trip in or out of Vancouver. With ice cream shops and coffee bars nearby, collectible (and skippable!) smooth pebbles, and free parking, this beach hits all the marks for a seaside sunset stop. 

Few beaches deliver a backdrop quite like Ambleside. Set beneath the North Shore Mountains and looking back toward Vancouver’s skyline, this West Vancouver favourite pairs sweeping ocean views with a lively waterfront atmosphere. Stroll the seawall, watch freighters drift through Burrard Inlet or settle into the sand as the sun drops behind the mountains. With cafés, restaurants and the iconic Ambleside Pier nearby, it easily fills an afternoon.

Iona Beach Park feels like Vancouver’s best-kept coastal secret. Located at the mouth of the Fraser River near YVR, its wide open shoreline trades crowds for solitude and sky. The star attraction is the four-kilometre jetty stretching into the Strait of Georgia, where walkers, cyclists and birdwatchers are rewarded with panoramic water views and front-row seats to passing aircraft. It’s a refreshingly wild escape just minutes from the city.