Vancouver Beaches and Outdoor Pools

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Lizzie Lau

Vancouver is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, and even if you aren’t here to ski or hike, you can enjoy all the seasonal outdoor pools and Vancouver beaches.

Vancouver boasts eight ocean beaches adding up to roughly 18 gorgeous kilometers of shoreline. There are also 5 seasonal outdoor pools.

We have Vancouver’s Park Board to thank for public access to so much of the shore. Back in the 20’s it was their mandate to acquire beachfront property and by the mid-80’s they had gotten control of English Bay from the Burrard Bridge to Stanley Park, as well as Spanish Banks and Jericho Beach.

The beaches all have public washrooms, lifeguards during the summer, and pay parking available.

Kitsilano or “Kits” Beach is on Cornwall Ave at the north end of Yew St. along the seawall.
Amenities include: outdoor pool, concession, washrooms, tennis courts, basketball courts, playground, swimming raft.

English Bay Beach on Beach Ave between Gilford St and Bidwell St on the Stanley Park Seawall system.
Amenities include: concession, washrooms, kayak rentals and storage, swimming raft with large slide, two volleyball courts, a beach wheelchair for persons with physical disabilities.

Jericho Beach is on the north side of Jericho Park at the west end of Point Grey Rd between Wallace St and Discovery St.
Amenities include: concession, playing fields, tennis courts, picnic tables, Jericho Sailing Centre, swimming raft, a beach wheelchair for persons with physical disabilities.

Fun fact: in the early 90’s I lived in a VW van at the Jericho Sailing Centre. Someday that sentence will link to a story.

Designated Quiet Beaches – (no amplified sound)

Sunset Beach at the mouth of False Creek on Beach Ave between Bute St and Thurlow St. Close to the West End and Downtown areas of Vancouver.
Amenities include: concession, washrooms, and a volleyball court.

Spanish Banks Beach on Northwest Marine Dr west of Tolmie St and on the Seaside Seawall.
Amenities include: concession, washrooms, and picnic tables.

Vancouver Outdoor Pools

Second Beach Pool – Next to the playground in Stanley Park, and right on the seawall. This is a heated pool, thank goodness because you can feel the ocean breeze!
Stanley Park Dr and North Lagoon Dr Vancouver BC
Opens from May 18 – until after Labor Day Weekend
Phone: 604-257-8371

Kitsilano Pool – Vancouver’s only saltwater pool and Canada’s longest pool, it had a multi-million dollar update in 2018.
2305 Cornwall Ave Vancouver BC
Opens from May 18 – Sept 15
Phone: 604-731-0011

New Brighton Pool – near the PNE with a beautiful view of the North Shore mountains.
3201 New Brighton Rd Vancouver BC
Opens from May 18 – Sept 15
Phone: 604-298-0222

Maple Grove Pool – in a quiet park in Kerrisdale, with a beach like entry and spray features.
6875 Yew St Vancouver BC 
Opens from June 15 – Sept 3
Phone: 604-266-9512

Hillcrest Aquatic Center – this huge 2010 Olympic facility has an outdoor pool that opens seasonally.
4575 Clancy Loranger Way, Vancouver, BC 
Opens from May 18 – Sept 3 (the outdoor pool)
Phone 604-257-8680

If you’re visiting Vancouver, consider a day trip to Squamish and Whistler.

Vancouver Beaches and Outdoor Pools

24 thoughts on “Vancouver Beaches and Outdoor Pools”

  1. I am excited to go out and enjoy the water and the sun. I love how you spent your outdoor water parks.

  2. I would love to visit Vancouver one day! I’m also excited to read about your story about living in the VW van in the ’90s.

    • My family would love this vibe in beach and in pools, missing going on vacation in beach.

  3. Wow! This is definitely a place to be for our outdoor pools and beaches needs. Great location and the place looks awesome.

  4. My husband and I are starting to plan our 15 year anniversary trip. Canada is on my list, Vancouver specifically. It looks incredible!

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