Hit the Beach in Vancouver

May 13, 2022

4 min read

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

Perched at the edge of the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver is a beach city and you’ll find tons of ways to relax and rejuvenate on the water. #thisisvancouver

Choose From 20 Different Beaches

Vancouver has plenty of sandy shorelines on the ocean and nearby freshwater lakes. Popular options include English Bay, Kitsilano Beach, and Jericho Beach. But you can also explore off-the-beaten-path beaches like clothing-optional Wreck Beach, Crescent Beach in Surrey, or the warm(ish) waters of Sasamat Lake at White Pine Beach. Our list of Vancouver area beaches has something for everyone.

People walking and relaxing on a sandy beach with ships and sailboats on the water and mountains in the background.

Go for a Swim

In the summer, many Vancouver beaches have designated swimming areas with lifeguards on duty, swimming rafts, and slides. English Bay Beach, Jericho Beach, and Kitsilano Beach all have great swimming areas. If you like to ease into the water, head to Spanish Banks – the extensive sand flats mean the water is rarely very deep. If you’d rather swim in a pool, Second Beach in Stanley Park and Kitsilano Beach both have oceanside swimming pools.

Outdoor swimming pool with several people swimming and standing, ocean with ships and sailboats in the background, mountains under clear sky.

Hike Next to the Ocean

Several of Vancouver’s most gorgeous hiking trails take you along rocky bluffs and to hidden coves. Head to Jug Island Beach or Admiralty Point in Belcarra Regional Park or the trails of Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver for ocean views and shoreline snack breaks.

Small rocky island covered with evergreen trees reflected in calm water under a cloudy sky.

Go Paddling

Many of Vancouver’s beaches have kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals on-site. Use our guides to find the best places to go stand-up paddleboarding and ten places to go kayaking. Taking a lesson or tour is a great introduction to these sports or a way to up your skills.

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

Fly a Kite

With the wind blowing in off the ocean, Vancouver’s beaches are a great place to fly a kite. Spanish Banks Beach and Centennial Beach in Tsawwassen are both great kite flying locations.

Rainbow-colored kite flying high in a blue sky with scattered white clouds.

Bring Your Pup

Several of Vancouver’s beaches are dog-friendly with off-leash zones that let your pup fetch sticks, dig in the sand or play in the waves. Your doggo will love Spanish Banks Beach, Hadden Park, and McDonald Beach Park. Find more dog beaches in our list of the best off-leash parks in Vancouver.

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

Watch the Sunset

Many of Vancouver’s beaches face west, making them ideal places to watch the sun go down. Bring a picnic dinner or snuggle up with your sweetie, then watch the sun descend into the water, turning the sky red, pink, and purple. Find lots of beaches on our list of Vancouver’s best sunset spots.