Swimming in Stanley Park, Vancouver, BC, Canada
There are many places to Swim in Stanley Park in both salt and fresh water.
Due to the fairly old ocean water most of the year, people usually only swim in the ocean during the summer months. However, there are a few hearty locals that swim all year round!
One of the most popular places to swim in Stanley Park is at Second Beach. There is both a beach where you can swim in the ocean and a seasonal outdoor heated swimming pool that is open seasonally from late May to early September.
Another popular places to swim in Stanley Park is at Third Beach. There is a fabulous beach where you can swim in the ocean. It is very busy during the summer months.
There are lots of other beaches where people swim all along the seawall in Stanley Park.
There used to be a number of past swimming pools that no longer exist in Stanley Park.
Second Beach in Stanley Park
At Second Beach in Stanley Park people can swim in the ocean and/or in the heated outdoor fresh water swimming pool. It is popular because it is right in front of to Ceperley Park which has a few playgrounds and is a popular picnic spot. Also, there is a large Concession Stand where you can purchase food and Washrooms.
Second Beach is a popular beach that people swim at. It is especially popular with families. There is a lifeguard on duty during the summer. There is a section in the middle of the beach that has been cleared of rocks so you can go out fairly far.
There is a large heated outdoor swimming pool next to Second Beach. This pool is open seasonally from the May long weekend (around May 21) until the end of Labour day weekend in September(usually the 1st week in Sep). It has a few swim lanes for lane swimmers, a very shallow part for young children, and a small water slide. There is a fee to use the pool. During Covid, you had to reserve a spot online. This pool fills up to capacity on nice hot summer days!
Third Beach in Stanley Park
Third Beach is another popular beach that people swim in the ocean at. It is especially popular with the 'younger' and 'cooler' people! People usually only swim on this beach during the summer months because the ocean water is cold.
There is a lifeguard on duty during the summer. There is a Concession Stand, showers, and Washrooms, on the hill above Third Beach.
It is more difficult to get to Third Beach because it is on the most western side of Stanley Park.
Other Beaches in Stanley Park
There are lots of little beaches just off of the Stanley Park Seawall.
There are a few of these little beaches that are closer to English Bay that people will swim at.
There are NO lifeguards at these beaches so swim at your own risk! We do NOT recommend that anyone swim on the north or east sides of Stanley Park in Burrard Inlet due to the strong currents.
Past Swimming in Stanley Park
There used to be a salt water swimming pool at Lumbermens' Arch area. It was filled in and is now the Variety Kids Water Park .
Additionally, there used to be a children's pool at Ceperley Park next to where the old fire truck is in the playground.