Third Beach

Beautiful park and beautiful beach. We will be back next year. Everyone was kind and the water was so relaxing.

Third Beach is a pleasant spot, especially in the late afternoon during July. The vibe is relaxed and welcoming, with a mix of locals and visitors enjoying the sun, music, and occasional drum circles. While it's not the most stunning beach in terms of scenery or facilities, it has a laid-back charm that makes it worth a visit. Great for catching sunsets, but not necessarily a must-see if you're short on time.

Third beach is a larger beach than second beach. It’s always in the sun and it has a nice third beach concession stand up a few flights of stairs. There are connecting bike routes so you can go through Stanley Park or go on the seawall if you prefer but remember that it is only single way bike access.

Very beautiful beach with logs to seat on it, plenty of parking spaces for bikes. Clean and refreshing water. Life guard on duty.

This is my favourite beach in Vancouver. A little bit harder to access and the parking is expensive, but it is worth it. The sand is great, the water is, too, the vibe is excellent and the crowd overall is lovely and very diverse (great for families, singles, and groups as well). To me this particular place gives a very cool vacation vibe. There are also spontaneous events at times and beach parties plus the weekly drum circle during the summer.

Great spot to take in some breathtaking views! I recommend going at sunset, not super busy, lots of parking, and easy access! Lots of seating on the beach, and we were able to take lots of pictures with the no hassle!

Beautiful and relaxing spot in Stanley Park, perfect for watching the sunset or enjoying ocean views. Great place to picnic or hang out.

My husband and I rented a tandem bike and rode all around the bay, all the way to the Lighthouse—it was such a beautiful experience. After that, we made our way down to the park, which is a great place to spend the day. If you’re looking to do something active like biking while enjoying a stunning view, this is the perfect spot. It’s peaceful, scenic, and ideal for anyone who wants to mix a bit of light adventure with nature.

Third Beach, located at Ferguson Point in Stanley Park, offers a naturally sandy and serene atmosphere surrounded by trees, making it perfect for quiet bathing, picnics, and sunset watching. The beach features the Stanley Park Seawall system, a concession, lifeguards (late May to early September), and pay parking managed by EasyPark. It's situated on the west side of Stanley Park, close to Siwash Rock on the seawall and Ferguson Point uphill (featuring the Teahouse Restaurant, E. Pauline Johnson Memorial, and Burma Forces cairn). While barbeques are allowed with restrictions, fishing or harvesting of bivalve mollusks is not permitted. You can access Third Beach through different methods like driving, walking, or bicycling, but there's no direct bus route to reach it. To reach Third Beach, you can drive by entering Stanley Park from the Georgia Street entrance, walk along the Stanley Park Seawall from Second Beach, or cycle using the same path. Public transit doesn't directly reach Third Beach. Check EasyPark's website for parking details and pricing.

Similar to the rest of Stanley park. Very scenic, well maintained beach with plenty of room to hang out and have a picnic. Lots of benches facing the ocean, and bike lane is completely separate from the waking path for the most part, so no hassle with trying to dodge bikers on your leisurely stroll. Lots of rocks to climb for those more adventurous souls, and the tide comes in high so you can see cool worms, sea critters, and shells when it's low tide. Great place to bring kids to take a quick dip/run into the ocean and build sandcastles. There's a small concession nearby, and it connects back into the main city for access to restaurants and shops. Make sure you search up how to get to the hollow tree - definitely recommend checking it out if you're around!

One of several beaches lining Stanley Park, this one offers a nice view towards the W side. From here, one can see UBC, the North Shore, and the Gulf Islands. Parking is available in a giant lot inland. To get to the beach from the lot, one has to walk down a flight of stairs. Of course, the beach is also accessible from the Seawall. There's a concession stand here where one can get food such as burgers and ice cream. To be honest, the sand quality here isn't the best. Parts of the ground are simply silt or clay. This makes the ground extremely slippery, especially in the areas farther away from the Seawall. It's literally like walking on grease. As counter-intuitive as it sounds, walking on the seaweed instead of the bare patches provides much more grip.

Once upon a summer's night, my two best friends and I went on a mini adventure walking through the West End in search of Third Beach. We heard a little rumour that there was a drum circle event that happened every Tuesday evening and we were extremely curious to see what it was all about! We arrived just after sunset at around 8:30pm... and it basically felt like we were transported to some foreign exotic land far far far from Vancouver. We heard loud drums beating, and saw people throwing fireworks and wielding staffs that were lit from both ends with fire. There was a huge crowd of people dancing on the beach, it was like one big episode of Survivor, meets Jumanji ! I was so in awe - I had to just stand there and sway and bob my head to the strong beat of the drums. What an amazing experience, if you haven't been to a drum circle event before, I strongly recommend you get your sense of adventure on and make the trek down there! You can easily walk, or even take your bike! You will need to see it to believe it.

Best way to get here amongst the trees is Tatlow trail. Else biking or walking along the seawall from the Totem poles will take much longer. Sunny summer days ok this beach are coming! Get your tan on and watch the low/high tide change the scenery!

Third Beach is the northernmost beach along the western seawall, situated between Prospect Point to the north and Second Beach to the south. Like the three beaches to its south (i.e., Second, English Bay and Sunset beaches), Third Beach is very well-maintained. I'm always amazed at the stellar job the City of Vancouver Parks Department does, and I thank them whenever I see them on the seawall path or the beaches or adjacent parks, painting the dividing lines on the paths (dividing the bike and foot traffic), repairing the stone curbs and seawalls, removing graffiti when it appears somewhere, and cleaning park areas. They really do an amazing job. I LOVE all four beaches along the seawall, and I find them all to be very different despite being so close to each other. That said, Third Beach is my favorite of the lot. As one approaches Third Beach from the south, walking on the seawall, one sees Siwash Rock in the distance, just beyond Third Beach. I personally love this view, and I think Siwash Rock is .... special. It's a special greeting, I think, to see this majestic rock in the distance as one approaches Third Beach. And the beach itself is the most....natural of all four. Yes, there's also a concession stand here, and bathrooms, but at Third Beach these features are situated above the beach proper, accessible only by way of a staircase. (There's also some picnic tables up by the food stands, too, with umbrellas to protect one from the sun. And the adjacent parking lot is up here, too). So because these features are not fixed on the beach by the water, the beach itself appears the most pristine: just a beautiful expanse of water and sand, with logs on the sand on which to sit, and some benches along the seawall path. This beach is just lovely, with views of North Vancouver and at the mountains beyond, and my beloved Siwash Rock looming around the northern bend.

This beach is pretty cool, it's kinda like an all purpose beach, quite a variety of people from families to older people etc. It's also cool if ya like to bike or rollerblade or walk around the seawall as well. yeah it's ok......

Guess what everyone?? It's picnic season again!! :D This beach is perfect for a gathering and meal because you can park right up the hill and hall your bbq down easily, or visit the snack shack right nearby. On the water we watched a Sea Lion frolicking close to shore and the sun melted into a light cloud bank. During the summer, you definitely want to bring sun block and a hat but off season you need to be prepared for a big temperature drop after sunset. And bring your camera!

Cool beach stop! Very fun and easy to get to. There's a few cool cafe spots too, definitely recommend coming here in the summer.

Pretty chill place to stop and rest while biking around the park perimeter. The views are calming and expansive and it's not too crowded or noisy. Great place for a picnic or a nap.

I have always thought they should rename it the place bicycle beach because that it by far the best to access this wonderful underused beach with some of the best views of Sunsets and English Bay in the area.

Yes, there may be one fixie for every square metre of sand, and yes, at the same time, this once secluded beach is starting to become a bit overrun with big-muscled tattooed types, but hell -- where else am I going to go to work on my freckles whilst drinking my go-to cheapo bottle of white in peace? Really, I think a close friend (who will remain nameless) sums it best: "I go to drink beers while hanging around hot Tumblr-worthy girls who are wearing next to nothing." Also: the view is pretty killer.

I won't be back to third beach. I agree with Robin, the view is amazing and the Seawall bike there was a beautiful way to enjoy our city as well. However; the Rules on this beach are starting to get out of control. We were literally ejected from the water on our last trip for having flotation devices in the water, as a group of adults, 2 of which are former lifeguards we felt it a bit hard to swallow. There is also no ball play on the beach so we watched the most irritable lifeguard I've ever met chase around children and adults alike for a good portion of our day. Our fate was sealed when the obnoxious guard came back to us to tell us that flotation devices were the "leading cause of death in the world" and "have you ever seen a dead body?!!". From what I can tell the once chill, laid back, less known beauty of third beach is starting to resemble something more of a Third Reich. I'll stop at Sunset instead of making the trek to third next time I'm too lazy for the Wreck Trek.

Third Beach is Vancouver's only five-star beach. We have a lot of great beaches, don't get me wrong, but Third Beach is superior to them all. Just think about shaking the crowds of English Bay and the frenzy of Kits and replacing it with the backdrop of Stanley Park. When you look out to sea from Third, you'll enjoy a clean view out Burrard Inlet, punctuated only with occasional freighters and sail boats. Third is also one of Vancouver's few naturally sandy beaches and has a beautiful tidal flat. My favorite evening activity is to pick up some gourmet picnic treats (stuffed olives, feta hot peppers, fresh bread, artichoke dip, fresh veggies) from the grocery store and then dine on the beach here until the sunsets. Stressful city living? I don't think so.

This is my must-rest and/or chat stop as I put the pedal to the metal and ride my cruiser through Stanley Park. At sunset, it somehow manages to feel heavenly, no matter how many times I stare out over the water. I don't even mind the hustle and bustle of busy summer days. But the real magic comes when the tourists fall away and the winter sets in. During those brief spells when the sky is clear, the air is crisp and the tide is coming in... there is barely a soul around and I get to pretend I'm there all by myself (except for the joggers, avid cyclists and the shimmy of the occasional homeless person filling their garbage bag with aluminum cans)

By far one of my favourite spots in Vancouver. Nestled on the west side of Stanley away from the rifraf of English Bay, this is the perfect spot to watch the sunset, have dinner, enjoy the sun or all of the above. So on those amazing summer nights (and i know they are coming), get your dinner to go, grab a few beer or a bottle of wine and a blanket and just enjoy the fact that we've got these kinds of spots right in our city.

Pass the sunblock SPF 100, I may be a freaky gothic bitch, but I do love me some beaches! At third beach, I am at home - this beach is filled with young people that are tattooed, pierced, and hiding their alcohol from the lifeguards on duty. You'll find lots of good-looking half-naked people here showing off their ass(ets), so if you are single and still looking for that summer lovin, this is probably a good place to start! There aren't any snack bars or bathrooms close by, you'll have to keep trecking over to second beach for those ammenities, and if you want to lock up your bike if you rode the seawall, better get there early as the bike racks fill up super fast. Otherwise if you're with a friend (like I was) you can lock your bikes together so they can't really go anywhere.

It's my first summer in Vancouver, so I'm relatively new to all the lovely swimming spots and sandy beaches that lucky Vancouverites get to play in for the 6 weeks of the year it's not raining. (I kid, I kid). The mister & I headed to Third Beach on a hot, sunny saturday afternoon...and it was....empty?! (Well, not completely, but we shared the entire beach with less than a dozen other people). That's right. It almost seemed a million miles away from the city, yet the packed, crowded beaches of English Bay & Kits were just a hop-skip and a jump away. Third Beach is beautiful, alot less busy and alot more relaxing than the other city beaches. I laid in the sun here for ages, just reading and relaxing and enjoying the quiet. New favourite!

It's out of the way--like, if you're not biking (on your single speed or fixie, of course) or driving, it feels like the Long March when it's blazing hot out. But it's out of the way, so that means it's away from the crowds of tourists at English Bay/Second. Some people will complain about "all the hipsters" hanging around, but I go here for the same reason I go to bars: not for the clientele, but because I can drink a beer there and nobody will write me a ticket for it.

Sun! Sand! Beers! Babes! Ocean! What more can I say? I love this place.

After a day at Grouse mountain, it was nice to drive around Stanley park. One of the main spots were 3rd Beach/Ferguson Point... Very gorgeous place!!! Great view of N. Vancouver, the Bay, and the cargo ships out that way. You can go down the beach and even jog on the trail that outlines the edge of the water. Nice relaxing spot.

Third Beach, you are First in my books... You may have difficulty finding parking here at the more busy times, but other options are available and suggested. Bike, hike, walk, stroll here. It is worth it. The surrounding views, the wide open expanses of beach if you prefer a bit of quiet space to dig in the sand. A long and wide stretch of tidal area makes for some great exploring and sand castle and moat building during low tides. During the rising tide you can see if you have engineered your sand castle well, and during high tide, go for a snorkle and explore the ruins. All in all a lovely way to spend the day, whatever the weather... ( http://www.yelp.ca/biz_photos/u7A07pB6-pryFbiCWt-8wQ?select=RADD992iZiLaSa0qXYpizg )

It's summer and you know what that means? Beach time! Heading to third beach, walking from south to north, you'll notice something interesting: Families, families....hipsters! Scads of bikes will line the logs and dot the sands, tattoos will be plentiful and you might even some topless girls. It's amusing to see the contrast :) Despite all the hipster-dom, this beach is one of my favourites because it's tucked away from the throngs of English Bay (First beach) and the kiddies at second beach.

On a nice fall day I love this beach. Feels isolated enough so as not to be crowded....and it's so pristine - not at all like dirty Kits. I can't even believe, when I'm here, that I'm in the middle of a metropolitan city. It's got an amazing bike and hiking trail going by, easy parking and nice high cliffs all around.

Third Beach is my very most favourite Vancouver beach. It's generally less crowded than the other beaches around Stanley Park, the water is swimmable, there's lots of room for spreading out and enjoying your day, the view of West Vancouver and the islands is awesome and it's an absolutely ridiculous spot to bring your small bbq and enjoy the sunset while munching on a hot dog. And if you didn't bring your own bbq? The concession stand above the beach does an awesome hamburger or hotdog (or ice cream or fries or whatever!). Summer or winter, I love it here. Ahh!

There are only a few Vancouver beaches that make my heart sing and this is one of them. There is nothing more glorious then watching the sun set over the North Shore and Island mountains, while drinking adult beverages with good or new friends. It's a perfect place to bring a picnic, and cycle around Stanley Park with a stop off here. Bring a swim suite if your brave and go for a dip.. there are even life guards in the summer. If you forget your food there is also a concession stand and public washrooms (that usually stink) open in the warmer busier months. Lots of bike parking, or just bring your bike to your favorite log.

Such an awesome beach. It can get very random here, coming from around the corner, you don't expect to see the beach, but here it is! Great place to stop by and get some sun in between bike ride around the seawall. Just get your beach towel, find a spot and there you go. You might be sitting in between two topless ladies if you were like me.

When it is sunny like today, the beauty of Vancouver is the beaches and parks, this being one of them. It gets busy when we have days like these, 23 degrees, however, everyone is happy. I like having pic nics and listening to the music of the ice cream truck. I am not a beach person but I am a sun person. One of the gems that this city holds on a nice day. Lots of dogs to pet (with permission) etc. When I get into one of those bitching about Vancouver moods, I think about our lovely beaches and parks and how spoiled we are.

My fav beach in the city. Been coming to this beach since I was a kid. Quick walk or bike. Once you're there no sounds or sights of city traffic and it's far enough out that it keeps the bridge and tunnel crowd away. I'm going to miss it a lot if I ever move.

This is the pleasant sit and rest spot after a long run around the park, the view is the UBC peninsula and lots of sky, it is a pocket of sand and populated by mostly people from the Westend who have cycled in. It is a reprieve from all the pool and concession congestion and activity at 2nd beach where I prefer to pedal on through.