A complete guide to Vancouver's beaches and outdoor pools
Summer is almost here. The days are getting longer, the skies are getting sunnier, and the weather is getting toasty. It’s the perfect chance to get outside and soak up what the city has to offer – namely, all of its fantastic local beaches and pools.
Dive into our guide to all of Vancouver’s beaches and outdoor pools and find your perfect swimming spot this summer.
Vancouver Beaches
Lifeguards will patrol the nine supervised beaches from Victoria Day to Labour Day, from approximately noon to 8 pm daily. They are on duty when red and yellow flags are up.
English Bay Beach
View this post on Instagram
English Bay Beach is located along Beach Avenue between Gilford Street and Bidwell Street and is the most popular beach in Vancouver’s downtown area. It’s the perfect place to kick back after a scenic run or bike along the Stanley Park Seawall.
Features:
- Concession
- Cactus Club Cafe
- Public washrooms
- Beach umbrella and chair rentals
- Kayak rentals and storage
- Lifeguards from Victoria Day until Labour Day
- Mobi-Mat accessible beach pathway
- Two water wheelchairs (two attendants needed to operate, available Victoria Day to Labour Day)
- Swimming raft with large slide
- Two sand volleyball courts
- Pay parking
Kitsilano Beach
View this post on Instagram
Kitsilano Beach, better known as “Kits” Beach, is located on Cornwall Avenue at the north end of Yew Street. It’s a popular beach for an active day out, with multiple sand volleyball courts, tennis courts, and basketball courts.
Features:
- Concession
- Public washrooms
- Tennis courts
- Basketball courts
- Playground
- Swimming raft
- Lifeguards from Victoria Day to Labour Day
- Water wheelchair (2 attendants needed to operate, available from Victoria Day to Labour Day)
- Pay parking
- Boathouse Waterfront Restaurant
Locarno Beach
View this post on Instagram
Locarno Beach is located on the west side of Jericho Park on Northwest Marine Drive between Discovery Street and Tolmie Street. It’s a designated quiet beach and is perfect if you want a tranquil beach day.
Features:
- Designated quiet beach (amplified sound is not permitted)
- Concession
- Public washrooms
- Six volleyball courts
- Picnic tables
- Swimming raft
- Free parking
- Lifeguards from Victoria Day to Labour Day
Second Beach
View this post on Instagram
Second Beach in Stanley Park is located at the junction of Stanley Park Drive and North Lagoon Drive next to Second Beach Pool. This is the ideal spot if you’re looking to cook up some food on your day out as a picnic shelter can be reserved for private gatherings, and you can even do a barbecue at nearby Ceperley Meadow.
Features:
- Concession
- Public washrooms
- Playground
- Stand-alone barbecues are allowed at nearby Ceperley Meadow
- Picnic shelter (reservation required)
- Pay parking
- Lifeguards from Victoria Day to Labour Day
- Heated, outdoor pool
Spanish Banks Beach
View this post on Instagram
Located along Northwest Marine Drive west of Tolmie Street, Spanish Banks Beach has three distinct sections – east, west, and extension. Visitors are being made aware that Spanish Banks West washrooms and concession are closed for water main construction, so if you don’t want to walk around 10 minutes for the washroom, it might be best to go to Spanish Banks East.
Spanish Banks East Features:
- Concession
- Public washrooms
- Barbecues permitted
- Picnic tables
- Eight volleyball courts
- Lifeguards from Victoria Day to Labour Day
- Water wheelchair (2 attendants needed to operate, available from Victoria Day to Labour Day)
Spanish Banks West Features:
- Designated quiet beach (amplified sound is not permitted)
- Barbecues permitted
- Picnic tables
- Eight volleyball courts
- Dog off-leash area (200m west of the building)
- Lifeguards from Victoria Day to Labour Day
- Water wheelchair (2 attendants needed to operate, available from Victoria Day to Labour Day)
Spanish Banks Extension Features:
- Barbecues permitted
- Dog off-leash area
- Kiteboarding launch zone
Sunset Beach
View this post on Instagram
Sunset Beach is a beautiful beach close located at the mouth of False Creek, on Beach Avenue between Bute Street and Thurlow Street. It’s a slightly less populated beach, but comes alive each year for when the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra perform a free outdoor concert here.
Features:
- Concession
- Public washrooms
- Designated quiet beach
- Access to the False Creek Ferry pier
- Lifeguards between Victoria Day and Labour Day
Third Beach
View this post on Instagram
Located at Ferguson Point in Stanley Park, Third Beach is a naturally sandy beach surrounded by trees that shield visitors from urban noise. It’s a great spot for a peaceful day at the beach without crowds of people.
Features:
- Concession
- Public washrooms
- Barbecues allowed (with restrictions)
- Lifeguards from Victoria Day to Labour Day
- Pay parking
Jericho Beach
View this post on Instagram
Jericho Beach is located on the north side of Jericho Park at the west end of Point Grey Road between Wallace Street and Discovery Street. This beach is a favourite for water sports, with the east side catering swimmers and the west side catering to sailboats and windsurfers.
Features:
- Concession
- Public washrooms
- Playing fields
- Tennis courts
- Picnic tables
- Swimming raft
- Pay parking
- Lifeguards between Victoria Day and Labour Day
- Water wheelchair (two attendants needed to operate, available Victoria Day to Labour Day)
- Jericho Sailing Centre
- Vancouver Youth Hostel
Trout Lake Beach
View this post on Instagram
Trout Lake Beach is a freshwater beach at the south end of Trout Lake in John Hendry Park at Victoria Drive and East 19th Avenue. Away from central Vancouver, this spot is great for a quieter time at the beach.
Features:
- Swimming raft
- Playfields
- Concession
- Public washrooms
- Picnic area
- Barbecues permitted
- Lifeguards from Victoria Day to Labour Day
- Water wheelchair (2 attendants needed to operate, available from Victoria Day to Labour Day)
- Dog off-leash area (north end of the lake)
- Free parking
North Vancouver/West Vancouver
Ambleside Beach
View this post on Instagram
Ambleside Beach is located in the heart of West Vancouver in a waterfront neighbourhood. The beach is in a prime location, just minutes away from the Lions Gate Bridge and near a number of amenities.
Features:
- Basketball court
- Street hockey cage
- Skateboard park
- Pitch and Putt golf course
- Trails
- Dog park
- Concession
- Public washrooms and change rooms
- Picnic area
- Barbecues permitted
- Lifeguards from June to September
- Free parking
- Located next to Park Royal Mall and multiple food options
Cates Park
View this post on Instagram
The seaside park and beach has more than 6 km of waterfront. The excess space makes for a “main beach area” and many more secluded spots that can be found on foot.
Features:
- Waterfront trails
- Playgrounds
- Picnic shelters
- Tennis courts
- Year-round boat launch
- Concession
- Public Washrooms and change rooms
- Dog-friendly (off-leash area)
- Free parking
Deep Cove
View this post on Instagram
One of the most scenic spots in the lower mainland, Deep Cove plays home to a small saltwater beach enclosed by the Burrard Inlet and Indian Arm. The beach, although beautiful, is rockier than others, so be sure to bring a beach towel and adequate footwear. It’s also a popular spot for kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding.
Features:
- Public washrooms
- Playground
- Quarry Rock
- Free parking
- Honey’s Doughnuts
- Near a number of restaurants and amenities
- Dog-friendly
- Picnic shelter
- Paddleboard, kayak, and canoe rental on site (reservations may be required)
Vancouver Outdoor Pools
New Brighton Pool
View this post on Instagram
New Brighton Pool is a heated, outdoor pool in Vancouver’s Sunrise neighbourhood that offers regular length swimming and a sloped entry for young children.
Features:
- Slide
- Wheelchair accessibile
- Aquatic Wheelchairs
- Heated leisure pool
Second Beach Pool
View this post on Instagram
Second Beach Pool is a heated, outdoor pool located near Stanley Park. It’s a mighty length at 80 metres and has separated lanes for lap swimmers. It also features a sloped entry and gradual depths for families.
Features:
- Heated outdoor pool
- Wheelchair ramp access
- Aquatic wheelchairs
- 50 m section for length swimming
Maple Grove Pool
View this post on Instagram
Maple Grove Pool is a heated, outdoor shallow pool in Kerrisdale. The summer water park has a shallow depth of 3.5 ft. Unfortunately, swimmers won’t be able to enjoy this pool until Saturday, June 15, with tickets available for purchase online starting noon on Wednesday, June 12.
Features:
- Heated outdoor wading pool
- Mini island
- Water basketball hoop
- Wheelchair accessible
Temporarily closed: Kitsilano Pool
View this post on Instagram
Kitsilano pool is one of the most popular outdoor pools around the city, but unfortunately does not have an opening date. The pool has been undergoing repairs and was originally set to open today, May 18. However, weather conditions have delayed its opening. “Kits” Pool is Vancouver’s only outdoor saltwater swimming pool and is near the beach, multiple cafés and restaurants, and the Kitsilano neighbourhood.
Features:
- 137 metre length
- Heated outdoor pool
- Water park
- Café
- Two slides
- Wheelchair accessible
- Aquatic wheelchairs
Do you prefer the beach or the outdoor pools? Let us know in the comments below.
This piece was originally published in May 2021.
Follow Channels and Categories