Best Vancouver Area Beaches for Families, Dog Lovers, Kayakers, and More

June 6, 2022

6 min read

A lifeguard in red sitting on a tall chair on a sunny beach with a sign that says Be Sun Smart and a lifeguard boat nearby.

It can be tough to choose which beach to visit in the Vancouver area. But there’s a beach for everyone. Here are our picks for the best beaches for families, dogs, swimming, kayaking, volleyball, and lots more.

Best for Families: Second Beach

There is lots to keep kids entertained at Second Beach in Stanley Park. Hit the sand and splash around in the ocean. There’s also a huge heated outdoor pool with a sloped entry, making it great for little swimmers. The nearby grassy area has plenty of shade to spread out or have a picnic. And there’s a playground too.

People enjoying a sunny day at a shallow outdoor pool with a large seal-shaped slide and a person sitting on a railing.

Best for Dogs: Hadden Park Beach

Many Vancouverites have never heard of Hadden Park. It’s tucked in between Vanier Park and Kitsilano Beach. The entire sandy beach is an off-leash dog park, with plenty of room for your pup to run, fetch, dig, and swim.

Person walking two dogs on a sandy beach near the water at sunset with trees in the background.

Best for Swimming: English Bay Beach

English Bay Beach is Vancouver’s most famous beach, located in the heart of downtown. It has lots of sand and a big roped-off swimming area. There is even a floating raft to swim out to, complete with a big slide.

Crowded sandy beach with people sitting and walking near water, city buildings and trees in the background.

Best for Wading: Spanish Banks Beach

Spanish Banks is Vancouver’s longest beach and also its shallowest. At low tide, the sand bars stretch nearly one kilometre off-shore so you can wade out for ages without the water reaching past your waist. All that shallow water also means that the water tends to be a bit warmer here.

A person carrying a blue paddleboard and paddle walking on a sandy beach near calm water under a clear sky.

Best for Freshwater Swimming: White Pine Beach

Tiny Sasamat Lake in təmtəmíxʷtən/Belcarra Regional Park has warm water for swimming and lots of sand at White Pine Beach. The shallow angle of the shoreline makes for an easy entry into the water.

A lakeside beach with people relaxing and swimming, surrounded by tall evergreen trees under a clear sky.

Best for Volleyball: Kitsilano Beach

Locals fondly call this beach “Kits Beach“. It’s a popular spot for sunbathing and picnics. But many beach-goers flock here to play volleyball. There are seven courts set up along the sand. Don’t forget to BYOB (Bring Your Own Ball).

People playing beach volleyball at sunset with boats on the water and tree branches overhead.

Best for Accessibility: Kitsilano and English Bay Beaches

Swimmers who use wheelchairs or have mobility challenges should head to Kitsilano Beach or English Bay Beach. Both have non-slip pathways and mats that let you roll across the sand. (Unfortunately, the mats were damaged in winter storms and repairs are currently underway.) You can also reserve a floating water wheelchair free of charge.

Two adults pushing a child in a beach wheelchair on wet sand, with another child walking beside them.

Best for Kayaking and SUP: Deep Cove

North Vancouver’s Deep Cove Park has a small gravel beach that is great for launching kayaks and SUPs. You can rent both from nearby Deep Cove Kayak. The protected waters of the cove are great for beginner paddlers. More advanced kayakers and paddleboarders can head around the corner to the isolated waters of Indian Arm.

Five kayaks on a rocky shore beside a calm lake with forested hills and cloudy sky in the background.

Best for Cyclists: Third Beach

If you want to combine a bike ride around the Stanley Park Seawall with a trip to the beach, add Third Beach to your itinerary. This small sandy beach is located about 3/4 of the way around the Seawall circuit. With trees on both sides, it has a secluded and natural feel, removed from the city.

Four people sitting on a beach at sunset, with one person reading a book and others engaged in conversation near large rocks.

Best Beach Town Vibes: White Rock

The small city of White Rock south of Vancouver has serious beach town vibes. It sits behind an eight-kilometre-long sandy beach. Go for a swim, lounge on the sand, or walk on the iconic pier, which is over 100 years old. You’ll also find tons of cute boutiques and restaurants lining Marine Drive.

Long wooden pier extending over calm water toward a coastal town with houses and trees on a hillside.

Best for Free Spirits: Wreck Beach

Located in Pacific Spirit Regional Park at UBC, Wreck Beach is Vancouver’s only clothing-optional beach. Reached by a steep hiking trail with lots of stairs, the beach has lots of sand and an eclectic variety of visitors.

Crowded beach with colorful tents, umbrellas, and people enjoying a sunny day by the ocean with green trees on the right.

Best for Sunsets: Sunset Beach

It’s not just a name – Sunset Beach in the West End is a great place to watch the sunset. The beach is actually made of four smaller coves that sit side by side. There is also a large grassy area that is perfect for evening picnics.