Every year, millions of people from around the world visit the Lower Mainland to experience the stunning natural beauty and outdoor adventures this part of the world offers. The Metro Vancouver area is no exception. With the towering mountains, bustling streets, and surrounding ocean, Vancouver is a special place.

Beaches may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Canadian cities, but Vancouver surprises with some pretty terrific opportunities for summertime lounging. And if you find yourself at one of these beaches during the warmer month, you’ll see just how popular they are.

Just in time for the warm weather that’s fast approaching, in this article, we’re going to share some of the best beaches around Metro Vancouver. Swing by your local dispensary for some daytime treats before hitting one of these popular local swimming and sunbathing spots.

 

English Bay

English Bay Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the city due to its excellent location. Also known as First beach, English Bay is located in the most populated area of downtown Vancouver and connects to the Stanley Park Sea Wall.

English Bay is a super popular sunset view spot viewing spot, as restaurant goers descend on the beach in the evening. And if you go during the summer, the beach is packed with beach umbrellas, chairs, volleyball players, and lifeguards.

 

Third Beach

Third Beach is a straight stretch of coastline located on the western edge of downtown Vancouver’s Stanley Park. With the expansive park at your beach, you’ll have excellent views of West Vancouver and the Burrard Inlet. Third Beach has the same incredible sunset views as English Bay Beach, as it points in the same direction.

Located right off the bike paths of Stanley Park, Third Beach has its very own parking lot, public washrooms, and seasonal concession stand complete with ice cream and other snacks.

 

Whytecliff Park

Whytecliff Park is a beautiful park space with a rocky beach located on the far western edge of West Vancouver. Near the Horseshoe Bay neighbourhood, Whytecliff Park looks directly across at Bowen Island.

Whytecliff Park is known for its extremely diverse ecosystem, making it a popular spot for birdwatchers and scuba divers. There are 200 marine animal species, making Whytecliff Park the first Marine Protected Area in Canada. There is also a café, a swimming beach, and plenty of walking trails.

 

Wreck Beach

Located on the western edge of the University of British Columbia Campus, Wreck Beach is Canada’s only legally recognized clothing optional beach. The beach sits on official University Endowment Land and is a Pacific Spirit Regional Park.

Aside from the nudity, Wreck Beach is a well-known beach because it’s one of the sandiest in Metro Vancouver. While most beaches are clustered with plenty of rocks, Wreck Beach is surprisingly sandy.

 

Jericho Beach

Jericho Beach is an excellent neighbourhood beach located in Kitsilano and West Point Gray. This stretch of beach offers great views of downtown Vancouver, the Burrard Inlet, and the mountains. Kitsilano Beach and Spanish Banks Beach are other great options super nearby.

The beach starts in West Point Gray at the Jericho Sailing Centre, where you’ll find plenty of boats and windsurfers, and continues on to the east part of the beach, which is ideal for swimming and lounging. There are also several playing fields, picnic tables, public washrooms, and a concession.

 

Whonnock Lake

Located just east of Maple Ridge and the expansive Golden Ears Park, Whonnock Lake is a natural muskeg lake with a nice beach for swimming and sunbathing. It’s a picturesque spot with mountain views in the background. Similar to a bog, Whonnock Lake attracts all sorts of wildlife that you won’t find by the ocean, like frogs, fish, and beavers.

At Whonnock Lake, you’ll find a couple of docks – which are great for fishing from, plus a children’s play area, and public washrooms. This lake gets super busy in the summer and is an ideal place for launching canoes and kayaks.

 

Deep Cove

Located in North Vancouver’s small seaside community of Deep Cove, this park, village, and beach area is picturesque everywhere you turn. While the beach isn’t the sandiest or the largest, it is an excellent place for launching a kayak, canoe, or boat due to the more sheltered waters. Plus, the views are unbeatable.

 

Alouette Lake

Alouette Lake is a long, narrow lake located within Golden Ears Provincial Park near Maple Ridge. With truly remarkable views of the mountains in Golden Ears Park, Alouette will give the feeling of a remote location, despite being just a short drive from Maple Ridge.

Alouette Lake is a super busy camping spot in the warmer months. You can bring your boat out on the water, and many will bring gear for windsurfing and water skiing. The lake is also a popular fishing destination, filled with rainbow trout, lake trout, northern pikeminnow, and stickleback.

 

Getting ready for another summer spent at these beautiful beaches? Make sure to stop by your local dispensary for pre-rolls, edibles, concentrates, and so much more. Cheeky’s Cannabis has two locations – one in Maple Ridge and one in Kitsilano. We’ve also got the friendliest group of budtenders around, who would be happy to help you find something.