Green means the beach’s most recent test results met relevant water quality standards.
Red means the beach’s most recent test results failed to meet water quality standards.
Grey means water quality information for the beach is too old (more than 7 days old) to be considered current, or that info is unavailable, or unreliable.
Historical Status
When swimming season is over or when a beach's water quality data has not been updated frequently enough (weekly) it goes into historical status. This means that rather than displaying current data it displays the beach's average water quality for that year.
Green means the beach passed water quality tests 95% of the time or more.
Yellow means the beach passed water quality tests 60-95% of the time.
Red means the beach failed water quality tests 40% of the time or more.
Special Status
We may manually set the status for a specific beach if we have concerns about the sampling protocol, if there is an emergency, if monitoring practices don't exist or have recently changed, or other reasons that render this site "special."
This means that this site has been issued a Blue Flag status for the current swimming season. This status does not indicate current water quality.
Red means the water at the site has water quality issues or there is an emergency.
Grey means there is no current water quality information, the beach is under construction, there has been an event that has rendered water quality information unreliable or unavailable.
See the beach description for more information regarding their special status.
Swim Guide wants to help you find the best beaches in Vancouver for this August long weekend. For the August Long Weekend 2017 Swim Guide recommends these Vancouver area beaches for their consistent excellent water quality (they passed water quality testing more than 95% of the time in 2017), and the beaches’ popularity with our users. We’ve also confirmed that these beaches are open this summer.
Passed 100% of recreational water quality tests in 2017 Trout Lake Beach is a cold, narrow fresh water lake at the south end of Trout Lake in John Hendry Park at Victoria Dr. and East 19th Ave. It contains a variety of fish species and therefore is a popular fishing spot, especially for rainbow trout.
Passed 100% of recreational water quality tests in 2017 Deep Cove beach at Panorama Park is located in downtown Deep Cove and offers a rocky beach, boat launch, and picnic and barbeque area. While the park generally offers a decent amount of parking on weekdays (on the street and in the lot), on sunny weekends, you may have trouble finding space. The view from the park at the water’s edge past the pier towards the mountains is absolutely phenomenal and the view is considered to be a “local secret.” Deep Cove is the name of both the community and bay in Vancouver’s North Shore, off a branch of the Burrard Inlet called Indian Arm. The area is the traditional territory of the Tsleil-Waututh and Sḵwxwú7mesh, the Indigenous, of the Coast Salish First Nations. This popular tourist area features quaint shops and cottages along the shoreline.
Passed 100% of recreational water quality tests in 2017 Located in the core of downtown on Stanley Parks’ seawall system, English Bay is Vancouver’s most popular sandy beach for visitors all ages. Sunbathers, swimmers, kayakers and sand volleyball players frequent this stretch of beach.
Passed 100% of recreational water quality tests in 2017 Acadia Beach is located between Spanish Banks and Wreck Beach on the northwest tip of the University of British Columbia. From the parking lot there is an easy trail leading down to the beach. This beach ranges from sandy to rocky with lots of logs. There are a few places where you have to scramble over the logs. This terrain makes Acadia Beach less popular with sun bathers and perfect for walking along. There are quite a few nice spots to explore tidal pools and take photos. There is no official trail on the beach, however by wandering west you will reach Tower Beach which is marked by two WWII Watch Towers built to look for Japanese submarines. Beyond Tower Beach lies Wreck Beach, Vancouver’s only official nude beach.
Passed 100% of recreational water quality tests in 2017 Spanish Banks beaches are sandy and a popular location for swimmers and sunbathers. The vast area of tidal pools available at low tide make Spanish Banks one of the best places in Vancouver for skimboarding. Located along Northwest Marine Dr west of Tolmie St, Spanish Banks Beach is composed of three distinct sections, east, west, and extension. At low tide, the water is one kilometre off shore.
Passed 100% of recreational water quality tests in 2017 Located just north of Vancouver International Airport, Iona Beach Regional Park is a unique area of land made up of a long, narrow jetty of sand and grass along the mouth of the Fraser River. The majority of the walking route is along the beach or a sandy, unmarked trail before reaching the furthest section that is covered in logs. Sea birds are visible throughout the area as well as a fairly unobstructed view of the Georgia Straight south and west of Vancouver.
Passed 100% of recreational water quality tests in 2017 Before the arrival of European settlers, Jericho Beach was originally a First Nations village named Ee’yullmough. Jericho Beach is now known for its naturally sandy beaches and is a popular destination for swimmers, sailors, and windsurfers. Jericho Beach on the north side of Jericho Park at the west end of Point Grey Rd between Wallace St and Discovery St. The east side of the beach caters to swimmers and the west side to sailboats and windsurfers.
Passed 100% of recreational water quality tests in 2017 As West Vancouver’s gateway park, Ambleside is fully accessible and well used by both West Vancouver residents and visitors. Enjoy spectacular views of Stanley Park and downtown Vancouver. Come walk the Seawalk, visit the dog park, play beach volleyball, relax in the sand and more!
Passed 100% of recreational water quality tests in 2017 Once known as Greer’s Beach, when it was owned by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR), Kitsilano Beach is now Vancouver’s most popular beach. The oceanside heated salt water pool attracts swimmers and sunbathers alike. Kitsilano Beach, known as “Kits” Beach, is located on Cornwall Ave at the north end of Yew St. The Seawall runs along side the beach and Kitsilano Pool is at the west side.
Passed 100% of recreational water quality tests in 2017 Oasis Beach is part of Wreck Beach and can be accessed along Trail 7. Trail 7 is a scenic and beautiful trail and there are waterfalls and creeks as well as foliage. The trail has recently been improved with the addition of handrails and better stairs.
Swim Guide is a free service that helps to connect millions of people just like you with local beaches and swimming holes. We depend on financial support from individuals and organizations to restore and protect access to water for all people.
This year, donors have helped to fund urgent monitoring of beach closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, expand our support for volunteer water quality monitoring, and create groundbreaking data sharing resources for scientists. Join the Swim Guide community today.