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You are here: Home / #SummerOfYVR / Being a Beach Bum in Vancouver

Being a Beach Bum in Vancouver

07/24/14 | #SummerOfYVR, British Columbia, Canada, Destinations, North America, Vancouver


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There is a saying about Vancouver. It’s the only place where you can go skiing and snowboarding in the morning, and then go swimming at the beach in the afternoon. Despite the rain, Vancouver has fantastic beaches, and there are plenty of them. Mere minutes from the downtown area, heading to the beach is second nature. But be warned. The waters are not warm, even in the heat of the summer.

I’ve never been a big fan of hanging out at the beach and soaking in the rays. I get too bored easily and need something to entertain me. Most of Vancouver’s beaches offer a variety of activities in and out of the water to entertain those, like me, who need it. Here are the best beaches in the city.

English Bay

English Bay Beach Sunset

The easiest beach to get to in Vancouver is the one at English Bay. At the meeting point of Davie St. and Deman St. in downtown Vancouver, the city opens up into English Bay and the beautiful beach. Across the water you can see Vanier park and other city beaches. Dotting the sand are logs perfect for a picnic lunch or to lean against with a good book. The beach is home to the Celebration of Lights festival which brings together various countries in a fireworks competition. No matter the season, there are plenty of people at the beach or out for a stroll along the water.

Washrooms: Yes
Concession: Yes
Activities: Kayak rentals, volleyball courts
Lifeguards: During the summer months

Kitsilano Beach

Vancouver Sept 2013 172.jpg

Opposite English Bay is Kitsilano Beach – known to locals as Kits Beach. This is a popular destination for a beach day due to its proximity to the vibrant Kitsilano neighbourhood. If swimming in the cold waters of the ocean isn’t your thing, Canada’s longest swimming pool is nearby. Be warned though, Kits pool is salt water which gets pumped in from English Bay.

Washrooms: Yes
Concession: Yes
Activities: Tennis courts, basketball courts, playground
Lifeguards: During the summer months

Jericho Beach

Jericho Beach Pier Panorama

Further west from Kitsilano Beach is Jericho. This beach is the place to go to for water sport activities. The beach is split into two areas divided by a pier: one for water sports and the other for swimming. The Jericho Sailing Club and a few other companies are available to rent paddleboards, kayaks and go windsurfing. On the other side is a swimming area with a lifeguard on duty in the summer months. There is also a hostel a 2 minute walk to the waters edge. Great if you’re after a beach holiday in the city.

Washrooms: Yes
Concession: Yes
Activities: Paddleboarding, kayaking, windsurfing, tennis courts, playing fields
Lifeguards: During the summer months

Spanish Banks

Hot Summer Days in Vancouver

Spanish Banks is one of the largest beaches in Vancouver, especially so when the tide is low – the beach extends an extra kilometre. This beach is further away from the city, close to the University of British Columbia’s campus which offers great views of the downtown core. While you can swim, the low tides bring many to the beach to try their hand at kiteboarding and skimboarding.

Lifeguards: During the summer
Washrooms: Yes
Activities: Volleyball, BBQing, Kiteboarding, Skimboarding
Concession: Yes

Wreck Beach

Wreck_Beach_Vancouver_02Vancouver’s only clothing optional beach is located on the outskirts of the University of British Columbia’s campus. Beyond the nudity, Wreck Beach, being the most westerly point in the city, offers unobstructed views of the ocean. Perfect for taking in the sunset. Being slightly further away from the downtown core, the beach tends to be more secluded. There is an interesting vibe that draws an eclectic crowd of beach goers.

Lifeguards: No
Washrooms: Yes, but limited
Activities: Getting naked 😉
Concession: Nothing official, but there are sometimes people selling food. Cash only. The police have also been cracking down on this as well.

Do you like going to the beach? What do you do to pass the time? What are your favorite beach activities? Have you ever been to a clothing option beach?

Photos: 2 Dave M // 3 Kyle Pearce // 4 Kyle Pearce // 5 Tlaloc Xicotencati

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Comments

  1. Arnette RTW says

    July 24, 2014 at 7:13 AM

    I love Third Beach in Stanley Park!!

    • Adelina says

      July 24, 2014 at 11:12 PM

      Ohh good one! I haven’t been in ages. It’s so hard to get to without a car.

      • Arnette RTW says

        July 25, 2014 at 6:53 PM

        Bicycle!!!!

  2. Betty J. Ogburn says

    July 24, 2014 at 3:52 PM

    …My favorite thing about going to the beach is laying out in the sun after spending some time chilling out in the water–warms me right up!!…Also, I love exploring the boardwalk!!…

    Wreck Beach looks beautiful–but I don’t know if the “clothing optional” aspect is right for me!!…

    • Adelina says

      July 24, 2014 at 11:11 PM

      You can fully keep your clothes on, no one will judge 🙂 That’s the brilliant part of being in Vancouver. Warming up in the sun after being in the water definitely works for warmer areas. Vancouver’s waters are too cold!

  3. Mandie @ RamblingMandie says

    July 25, 2014 at 9:06 PM

    ‘Activities: Getting naked’. Hahaha, that cracked me up. I was on my fair share of clothing optional beaches in Greece, and that was enough for me! I get bored just laying on the beach, too – I have to have a book at least.

    • Adelina says

      August 2, 2014 at 2:38 AM

      Hurray, someone noticed it haha! I went topless for a little bit on a beach in Greece and yup, definitely enough for me. It’s just too strange for me after growing up with clothing on at all times.

  4. Mary {The World Is A Book} says

    July 26, 2014 at 2:32 AM

    What a great collection of beaches. I didn’t realize there were so many awesome beaches in Vancouver. We always seem to go during Winter time and head straight for Whistler. We need to make some time to go during the summer. Spanish Banks looks wonderful. I love the beaches but haven’t made it to a clothing optional one. Although, there is one here in San Diego.

    • Adelina says

      August 2, 2014 at 2:39 AM

      It can be so easy to forget that Vancouver is on the coast sometimes. I always forget I can go to the beach if I want! I haven’t been to Wreck beach either, but hand plenty of clothing optional possibilities when in Europe.

  5. Samantha says

    July 28, 2014 at 4:12 PM

    I haven’t been to a beach yet in Vancouver but I’m definitely going to hit one next time I’m there (hopefully in the summer haha). I honestly never thought about the beaches in Vancouver – probably like no one thinks of visiting the beaches in Washington but they are beautiful! Who knew you guys would have a clothing optional beach? 😛

Welcome to Pack Me To!

Adelina is a part time traveler, exploring the world despite having a full-time job. Pack Me To is a collection of stories from her travels and adventures around the world as she packs you to destinations around the world with her.

Adelina has been traveling for as long as she can remember and has lived abroad in the Netherlands and Hungary. She loves telling stories, and eating and exploring her way around the world. Come along for the ride. Read More…

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