Vancouver is not your typical beach destination, but it does have some seriously beautiful beaches – which can get quite busy. Where to go for some tranquil, lesser-known beauties? Drive across Lions Gate Bridge to West Vancouver. Long, lively beaches, small sandy bays and rocky coves await there. Some of them you won’t just stumble upon, unless you know where to look for them. No worries, this post is about all the best beaches in West Vancouver.
Oh, wait, can you even swim in the Pacific Ocean in Vancouver? I’m telling you this: the warmest average water temperature in August is around 52°F (11°C). If you’re lucky, the ocean can warm up to 13-14°C. It’s the coldest in February, with an average water temperature of 44°F (7°C). We did see people swimming, a few of them even in the winter months, but it’s not for everyone. We haven’t swam so far (or have seen a proper summer yet), but we like walking and chilling out on beaches on sunny days, and our little one certainly enjoys playing near the water. We visited all of the beaches in this list, some of them many times.
Other great things to do on the North Shore:
- 12 Best Hikes In North Vancouver, British Columbia
- Hiking In Lynn Valley And Lynn Canyon, North Vancouver
- 10 Kid-Friendly Parks In North Vancouver
Ambleside Beach
Okay, Ambleside Beach is not the hidden gem in this list, but I just can’t miss it. It’s the center of beach life on the North Shore, and it’s not hard to understand the reason. It’s a long, sandy beach, backed up by a paved promenade and a huge park with grassy lawns, sports fields, basketball courts, skate parks, playground and picnic tables. What’s not there?
You get great views of Stanley Park and Downtown Vancouver, and you can say hi to the seals from the pier. (Seals are not guaranteed, but we often see them by the shores of West Vancouver.) You can even fill your stomach with delicious local food at The Boat Shed, or just get a coffee. They have a tempting outdoor seating area, with weather protection in the colder part of the year. The Ambleside Park playground is right next to it, in case your kid is itching to do something while you’d enjoy your meal.
2022 update: Ambleside Pier is closed until further notice due to storm damage in January 2022.
The only bad thing? Parking on a sunny weekend – it’s impossible. The parking area is relatively large, but it fills up super quickly even on weekdays if the weather is nice. You can drive around to find available parking on the nearby streets, but that’s what everybody else does, and spots are likely taken there, as well.
Sandy, pebbly or rocky?
Ambleside Beach is sandy, but don’t expect that soft, perfectly white sand, it’s mixed with wood chips and small pebbles. There’s lifeguard service in the summer, and there’s a separate dog beach east of the main bay. Otherwise, dogs are not allowed on Ambleside Beach.
Centennial Seawalk
Ambleside Park is also a starting point of a wonderful oceanfront promenade. You can walk to neighboring John Lawson Park, then continue on the Centennial Seawalk that connects John Lawson Park with Dundarave Park. It’s a scenic, paved pedestrian walkway, dotted with benches from time to time. Bikes are not allowed. We did this walk, or parts of it, many times, and it’s just as great for a romantic stroll as for a walk with your baby (ideally sleeping) in the stroller. Small kids will enjoy the beaches and playgrounds on the way.
- Parking: Ambleside Park parking lot (access from 13th Street)
- Washrooms? yes
- Picnic benches? yes
- Wheelchair accessible? yes
Dundarave Beach
Dundarave Beach is the smaller sibling of Ambleside Beach, at the other end of the Centennial Seawalk. It’s a 50 meters wide sandy beach, backed up by Dundarave Park with open grassy meadows, picnic tables and a small kids’ playground. You can walk out to the small pier and take in the views of Vancouver, Lions Gate Bridge and Burrard inlet.
2022 update: Dundarave Pier is closed until further notice due to storm damage in January 2022.
Dundarave Beach House restaurant and the Dundarave Beach Cafe is right behind the beach, but you can also walk into Dundarave Village for more choices to eat out.
Parking can be challenging, especially on nice summer days. Time-limited (4 hours) parking spaces are available on Bellevue Avenue, but they easily fill up. You can then drive around and look for parking on other streets.
Sandy, pebbly or rocky?
Dundarave Beach is called a sandy beach, but it rather has sand mixed with pebbles. You better pack water shoes for a more convenient water entrance, because the edge of the beach can be quite rocky (depending on the tide). There’s lifeguard service in the summer months.
- Parking: Bellevue Avenue
- Washrooms? yes
- Picnic benches? yes
Whytecliff Beach & Islet
Whytecliff Beach in the westernmost area of West Vancouver, in Whytecliff Park, is such an unspoilt one that it doesn’t feel like a city beach at all. It’s also very protected, so it could be great for swimming, and it’s a popular scuba diving spot, too.
If the tide is low, you can walk over to the small islet on a rocky path, then scramble to the top of it – from where you can often spot sea lions. (It’s not suitable for small kids, but could be fun with older ones.) There’s no hiking trail on the coast here, but there are some viewpoints and picnic benches connected by narrow paths in Whytecliff Park.
The park has its own parking lot, but in case it fills up (which can easily happen when the weather is good), you won’t be able to enter by car. Since there’s no suitable street parking nearby, you better look for another beach in the area. Like Bachelor Cove, which can be accessed from Marine Drive, about 400 meters before Whytecliff Park. A set of stairs lead down to the beach, and there’s a small pullout for parking.
Sandy, pebbly or rocky?
It’s a pebbly beach, with small patches of sand, so water shoes are recommended. Kids will be excited about the large pebbles and driftwood. Trees at the back of the beach offer some shade. The beach is accessible on several paths, and one of them is stroller-friendly. One of the washrooms is down at the beach (this one is open only in the summer), the other is near the parking lot.
- Parking: Whytecliff Park parking lot
- Washrooms? yes
- Picnic benches? yes (in Whytecliff Park)
Caulfeild Park beach
Our favorite beach? The one in Caulfeild Park! It’s a protected, tranquil sandy beach with a scenic shoreline. Most of the beach exists at low tide only (at least the sandy area), and it can be accessed on a steep staircase.
But Caulfeild Park itself is a pretty place to explore, no matter the season. The short and picturesque coastal trail is about 700 metres long, offering wooden steps, bridges and stunning viewpoints. The terrain is rugged enough to be exciting to a small kid, but not so challenging that they can’t cope with it.
Parking is a challenge though. The streets behind the beach are narrow, one-way streets with only a limited number of pullouts. You find some along Dogwood Lane and Pilot House Road. For the most convenient beach access, try to park in the very first pullout along Dogwood Lane. If those few spots are taken, drive further along the road and keep your eyes on the road signs so that you can park wherever it’s allowed.
Sandy, pebbly or rocky?
It’s one of the sandiest beaches on the North Shore, but the sandy area shrinks during high tide. When the tide is low, the water entrance is gradual and great for young kids to splash. There are no facilities on the beach, but you find two outhouses halfway up to the road (they’re open in summer only), and also picnic benches scattered through Caulfeild Park behind the beach.
The beach in Caulfeild Park is almost connected to neighboring Stearman Beach at low tide. Stearman Beach is larger, but also more pebbly and rocky, and honestly, I found it the uglier version of Caulfeild Beach. Since the two are so close, it’s obvious which one I choose.
- Parking: along Dogwood Lane and Pilot House Road
- Washrooms? yes (halfway down the beach)
- Picnic benches? yes (in Caulfeild Park)
Sandy Cove Beach
Sandy Cove Park has one of the most popular secret beaches in West Vancouver. Contradiction? Let me explain. You won’t find this little bay unless you’re looking for it, and it’s located in a residential area where you have absolutely no reason to go otherwise. But lots of Vancouverites know about it, and they like visiting this quiet beach on sunny days.
Where exactly is it? Here. It can be accessed from Marine Drive which is a main coastal road that leads through West Vancouver. However, you won’t notice Sandy Cove Beach from the road. The small park is on a hillside, and trees block the view. You need to take the stairs at the edge of the park to reach the beach. If there hadn’t been a sign that indicated “Sandy Cove Park”, I’d have definitely thought that these stairs lead to the garden of one of the huge mansions on the coast.
But wait, where to park? Unlike in busy Lighthouse Park or Whitecliff Park, there’s no dedicated parking lot at Sandy Cove Park. There’s a small pullout along Marine Drive which suits about five cars. Yes, five. No, it’s not enough on a nice summer weekend. Parking is a challenge here. Though you can find some parking available on the nearby streets (like Sharon Drive, Bayridge Drive or Rose Crescent), these streets are narrow and offer really only a few more spots. But as annoying as parking can be, honestly, the charm of Sandy Cove Beach is that it’s not that busy. It can never get too busy, because only a limited number of people can commute here.
Sandy, pebbly or rocky?
The beach is sandy, and there are some very soft patches of fine sand, but other areas are a sandy-pebbly mix, like on every beach in the region. No shortage of larger pebbles and driftwood, you actually need to scramble through a large pile of driftwood to access the beach. The size of the sandy beach area heavily depends on the tide and shrinks significantly at high tide.
- Parking: a small pullout along Marine Drive near Sandy Cove Park
- Washrooms? yes (behind the beach)
- Picnic benches? no
Final words
We liked Caulfeild Beach and Sandy Cove Beach very much, and they seem to be quite similar: smaller bays in the midst of a residential neighborhood. They’re ideal for small kids to play in the sand, while parents can even read a few pages or listen to a podcast while soaking in the sunshine. Okay, okay. Unlike Ambleside Beach or Dundarave Beach where strolling the promenade is nice any time of the year (when it’s not puring), these small sandy bays are best on warm summer days. And summers are short here. So enjoy!
