A complete guide to Vancouver's beaches and outdoor pools

Kitsilano Beach, known as “Kits” Beach, is located on Cornwall Avenue at the north end of Yew Street. The Seawall runs along side the beach and Kitsilano Pool is at the west side.

Features:

• Concession
• Public washrooms
• Tennis courts
• Basketball courts
• Playground
• Swimming raft
• Lifeguards from Victoria Day to Labour Day
• Pay parking
• Boathouse Waterfront Restaurant

Second Beach (Tyler Ingram/Flickr)

Second Beach in Stanley Park is located at the junction of Stanley Park Dr and North Lagoon Dr next to Second Beach Pool, an oceanside, heated, outdoor pool. Barbecues can be used at nearby Ceperley Meadow and a picnic shelter can be reserved for private gatherings.

Features:

• Public washrooms
• Playground
• Stand-alone barbecues allowed at nearby Ceperley Meadow
• Picnic shelter (reservation required)
• Pay parking
• Lifeguards from Victoria Day to Labour Day
• Heated, outdoor pool

Located along Northwest Marine Drive west of Tolmie Street, Spanish Banks Beach is composed of three distinct sections, east, west, and extension. At low tide, the water is 1 km off shore.

Features:

Spanish Banks East

• Concession
• Public washrooms
• Barbecues permitted
• Picnic tables
• Eight volleyball courts
• Free parking
• Lifeguards from Victoria Day to Labour Day

Spanish Banks West

• Designated quiet beach
• Concession
• Public washrooms
• Barbecues permitted
• Picnic tables
• Eight volleyball courts
• Dog off-leash area
• Free parking
• Lifeguards from Victoria Day to Labour Day

Spanish Banks Extension

• Barbecues permitted
• Free parking
• Lifeguards from Victoria Day to Labour Day
• Dog off-leash area
• Kiteboarding launch zone

Sunset Beach / ©Bruce McPherson

Located at the mouth of False Creek, on Beach Avenue between Bute Street and Thurlow Street, Sunset Beach is a less populated beach close to the West End and downtown Vancouver. It is close to the Vancouver Aquatic Centre and has access to the False Creek Ferry pier.

Features:

• Concession
• Public washrooms
• Designated quiet beach
• Access to the False Creek Ferry pier
• Pay parking
• Lifeguards between Victoria Day and Labour Day

Located at Ferguson Point in Stanley Park, Third Beach is a naturally sandy beach surrounded by trees that shield dippers and tanners from urban noise. This is a great beach for quiet bathing, picnics, and watching sunsets.

Features:

• Concession
• Public washrooms
• Barbecues allowed (with restrictions)
• Lifeguards from Victoria Day to Labour Day
• Pay parking

Jericho Beach/Shutterstock

Jericho Beach on the north side of Jericho Park at the west end of Point Grey Road between Wallace Street and Discovery Street. The east side of the beach caters to swimmers and the west side 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
• Beach wheelchairs
• Jericho Sailing Centre
• Vancouver Youth Hostel

Kitsilano Outdoor Pool (Pete Spiro / Shutterstock)

“Kits” Pool is Vancouver’s only saltwater swimming pool. The outdoor summer pool is located near the beach, cafés, and neighbourhood of Kitsilano.

New Brighton Pool is a heated, outdoor pool in Vancouver’s Sunrise neighbourhood that offers regular length swimming and a sloped, beach-style entry for young children.

Second Beach Pool / piker_roo

Second Beach Pool is a heated, outdoor pool located near the beach, trails, and forest of Stanley Park. It features a a sloped entry and gradual depths for families, and separated lanes for lap swimmers.

Maple Grove Pool is a heated, outdoor shallow pool in Vancouver’s Kerrisdale neighbourhood. The landscaped, summer water park has a maximum depth of 3.5m.

Features:

• Café
• Mini island
• Wheelchair accessible.

Opens: June 18 until September 5

Hours: 10:15 am to 7:45 pm.

Netfalls Remy Musser/shutterstock

Hillcrest Aquatic Centre is part of Hillcrest Centre, a legacy of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver. The city’s largest aquatic facility includes an indoor pool, outdoor pool, and a fitness centre.

Features:

• Diving board
• Slide
• Sauna
• Steamroom
• Hotpool
• Fitness centre
• Wheelchair access (aquatic pool lift and ramp access).

Opens: May long weekend until late September

Hours: Noon to 6 pm in early summer and 11 am to 8 pm in late summer