Photo Credit: https://unsplash.com/@jnnfrchn
The winter semester has come and gone and seasons are changing from Spring to Summer (officially) on June 20!
Goodbye Vancouver rain and hello summer sun! This summer, take some time for yourself, pack a picnic, and walk/run/bike down to one of these awesome beaches in Vancouver (or plan a trip to visit all of them)!
Here are the 5 best beaches to check out this summer in Vancouver!
It is important to note that Vancouver is on the unceded, ancestral, and traditional lands of the Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh, and Squamish peoples and that each of the spaces listed below are inextricably tied to a history and continuance of colonization.
1) Wreck Beach
Most likely every UBC Vancouver student and faculty has either been to or heard of Wreck Beach! A quick walk for anyone who is sticking around the UBC Vancouver campus this summer, it is an approximately 7.8 km stretch of coastline in Pacific Spirit Regional Park!
This is a clothing-optional beach (the only one of its kind in Vancouver), so the choice is up to you – reminder to maintain beach etiquette (i.e. don’t stare, gawk, or take photos of others without their permission)!
https://www.vmcdn.ca/f/files/via/images/outdoors/wreck-beach-vancouver-bc.jpg;w=800
2) Kitsilano/”Kits” Beach
Kits Beach has been known for its plethora of outdoor activities – from free outdoor yoga and beach volleyball to kayaking and paddle-boarding! Keep an eye out on Vancouver’s Parks and Recreation site to see the latest guidelines and restrictions amidst the pandemic!
For swimming options, there is the Pacific Ocean on one side, with marked specially designated areas for recreational swimming (so there’s no accidental collisions with kayaks and canoes), and the Kitsilano Outdoor Pool!
Don’t miss the annual Kits Festival (“Vancouver’s Hottest Sports and Healthy Living Festival”; August 6-8, 2021) that is held on the beach!
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a6/Kitsilano_Beach_with_the_West_End%2C_Stanley_Park_and_the_North_Shore_Mountains_in_the_distance.jpg
3) English Bay/First Beach
Facing the beautiful English Bay (the open body of water), First Beach is for anyone who wants to step away from the busyness of Downtown Vancouver for a couple of minutes…or hours!
Take a walk or rent a bike and follow the walking and cycling paths alongside the water – these paths lead to many other Vancouver attractions, such as Kitsilano Beach, Granville Island, and Stanley Park!
Don’t miss the annual Celebration of Light fireworks festival held in late July and early August!
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/80/English_Bay%2C_Vancouver%2C_BC.jpg
4) Jericho Beach
If sailing is your sport-of-choice, then Jericho Beach is for you! Home to the Jericho Sailing Centre, visitors can rent a range of water-sports equipment and book a variety of lessons, for sailing, windsurfing, and stand-up paddling, to name a few.
There are also loads of sailing clubs to join that are associated with the Jericho Sailing Centre – these clubs offer a variety of benefits, such as lower prices for rental equipment, water-sports lessons, and an established community of folks experienced and interested in sailing!
https://youimg1.tripcdn.com/target/100i1f000001gp2tr9EFE_C_750_500.jpg?proc=source%2Ftrip
5) Trout Lake Beach
Trout Lake Beach is located in East Vancouver, at the south end of Trout Lake, and is Vancouver’s only official freshwater beach!
As there are no boats or water crafts allowed on the lake (without authorization), there is more space to swim! Not to mention, barbeques are permitted, so dust off your grill and bring it to the beach for a fun BBQ party!
https://cityhallwatch.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/troutlakeclosure14.jpg