Vancouverâs Beaches
People across the lower mainland flock to the beaches of Vancouver to cool off in the summertime. Among the hundreds of beaches scattered across the Greater Vancouver coastline, 2 of them stand out from the rest. Kitsilano Beach and English Bay attract thousands of people every day due to their convenient location, size, and list of amenities. English Bay is within a healthy walking distance from the downtown core and both beaches can be found in close proximity to many restaurants, indoor & outdoor showers, and more.
For guests looking for more seclusion, Stanley Park offers a couple breathtaking mountain-type beaches where there are usually less people. Getting to the Stanley Park beaches however might require somewhat of a hike.
Windsurfing
Visitors eager to windsurf should look no further than Vancouver Westsideâs Jericho Beach. During the morning/daytime hours, the winds & waters are calmer and better suited for beginner or casual windsurfers. During the evening hours, the winds tend to pick up making for a more satisfying ride for the windsurfing professional.
Skim-Boarding
Skim-boarding is a sport where you throw a thin wooden board across shallow puddles of water, catch up to it, and skim away! Because skim-boarding requires large areas of shallow water, it is almost exclusively done at Jericho Beach where extended shallow mud-flats are naturally created by the changes in tide. Skim-boards are fairly inexpensive to rent, but can only be used during low-tide.
Kayaking
Kayaking can be done in a number of lakes, creeks, and rivers across the lower mainland. However False Creek tends to be the most popular with tourists as it showcases an assortment of Vancouverâs most prestigious architecture. False Creek kayakers will be treated to stunning views of the Olympic Village, Granville Island, and the Telus World of Science. Granville Island serves as a great place for kayak rentals.
Kiteboarding
Kiteboarding is essentially a giant kite latched onto a surfboard. The benefit to this sport is that you donât need giant waves to get speed & air; however the drawback is that riders must multitask between surfing and flying a kite. Jericho Beach is once again a great place to kiteboard as it tends to get stronger winds. Professional kiteboarders are recommended to visit Tofino on Vancouver Island for larger waves & stronger winds.
