English Bay Beach

English Bay Beach in Vancouver

English Bay Beach, also called First Beach, located along Beach Ave between Gilford St and Bidwell St, is the most populated beach area in Vancouver's downtown area. The Stanley Park Seawall, a popular running and biking route, runs along the east side of the beach.

Features at English Bay Beach

  • Concession
  • Cactus Club Cafe
  • Public washrooms
  • Beach umbrella and chair rentals
  • Kayak rentals and storage
  • Lifeguards (Victoria Day to Labour Day, late May to early September)
  • Mobi-Mat accessible beach pathway
  • Two water wheelchairs (two attendants needed to operate, available Victoria Day to Labour Day)
  • Swimming raft with large slide
  • Two sand volleyball courts
  • Pay parking

Not permitted: fishing or harvesting of crabs or bivalve mollusks (for example, clams, oysters, mussels)

Looking for things to do at English Bay Beach?

Annual Polar Bear Swim is back with a splash

December 14 2022 - The Polar Bear Swim, one of Vancouver's traditions, will go ahead on Sunday, January 1, 2023, for the first in-person swim in three years.

Annual Polar Bear Swim is back with a splash

December 4 2024 - The Polar Bear Swim event, one of Vancouver's most beloved New Year’s traditions, is once again making a splash on January 1, 2025.

Be prepared for possible flooding tomorrow

December 26 2022 - An exceptionally high tide and high winds are being forecast with moderate to elevated flooding risk for some coastal areas.

Dog off-leash areas

Find all of Vancouver’s dog parks and off-leash areas, whether in your neighbourhood or along the water.

Floating days are over for barge at English Bay

February 9 2022 - A process is now underway to remove the English Bay barge over the coming months by taking it apart in pieces.

Help keep Vancouver’s Canada goose population in check

March 27 2023 - With a booming Canada geese population wreaking havoc on the city’s greenspaces, we are asking for your help in keeping their numbers in check.

Honda Celebration of Light returns to illuminate Vancouver’s skyline

July 21 2023 - The upcoming Celebration of Light will draw thousands of residents and visitors into the West End and neighbouring Kits Point.

Polar Bear Swim

Thousands of people gather at English Bay beach to take the plunge on New Years Day every year for the Polar Bear Swim.

Seawall

Find information about Vancouver’s seawall – where it is, what to see and do along the Seawall, and a map of the Seawall.

Vancouver Parks and Rec is ready to dive into another outdoor pool and beach season

May 18 2022 - We will open two of our outdoor pools, and staff beaches with lifeguards to help people enjoy time in and around the city’s waters this summer.

Vancouver skyline to shine during Honda Celebration of Light

July 18 2024 - The most anticipated summer event and largest fireworks competition in the world returns to Vancouver this weekend.

Vancouver’s Alcohol on Beaches pilot wraps for the summer season

October 1 2024 - Alcohol consumption is no longer permitted on any of Vancouver’s beaches now that the Alcohol on Beaches pilot has concluded.

Volleyball

Vancouver has many options for playing volleyball. Find out about using indoor and outdoor volleyball courts, joining a volleyball league, or taking a volleyball course or workshop.

Parking

EasyPark manages parking lots throughout Vancouver, including lots in parks, beaches, and theatres.

Find parking lots and pricing by visiting the EasyPark website.

Visit EasyPark