Third Beach in Stanley Park, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Third Beach is a a large beach on the west side of Stanley Park. It is one of the most popular beaches in Stanley Park and is in such a beautiful setting with great views west over the ocean.
Third Beach is good for suntanning. The beach is fairly long and wide and has some logs on it to use to sit on or lean against. In the summer, it is one of the busier beaches in Vancouver with a predominatly younger crowd.
You can swim at Third Beach also. way. There is a lifeguard on duty during the summer. Be aware that the ocean water does not ever get too warm in Vancouver for swimming. You can't swim out to far from the beach or you are in very deep with currents, but it is good to go in for a dip.
There is NO beach volleyball on Third Beach because there isn't so much room and there is no court defined. You need to go to English Bay Beach for volleyball. Additionally, there are no watersport rentals.
There is a small Concession Stand and Washrooms up a staircase from Third Beach.
The best part of Third Beach is that you have a great view out to the ocean and it feels so far away from the city!
Third Beach Drum Circle
On sunny Tuesday evenings from spring to fall, there is a large impromptu drum circle called Brahms Tam Drum Circle that takes place here. This is quite the event and can draw hundreds of people at the height of summer!
Third Beach Photos
Where is Third Beach in Stanley Park?
Third Beach is located on the west side of Stanley Park.
Where can you park for Third Beach in Stanley Park?
There is a large parking lot just above Third Beach. For more detailed information (rates, times, etc.) about parking in Stanley Park, please read: Parking in Stanley Park
How do you get to Third Beach in Stanley Park in Vancouver?
By Car: Since Third Beach is located on the west (far) side of Stanley Park, it takes some time to get to. To get to it by driving, get onto Stanley Park Drive via the Georgia Street entrance to Stanley Park. Take the first right in the traffic circle to get onto Stanley Park Drive. Continue along Stanley Park Drive all the way around Stanley Park past Prospect Point for about a kilometer then take the first right when you see a building (The Teahouse) on the right, then take the next right and go down the hill to the Third Beach Parking Lot.
Note: you can go up Pipeline Road, the second right at the traffic circle to shorten the journey!
By Walking: From Second Beach / Ceperley Park: 1) walk west along the Stanley Park Seawall until you reach Third Beach. 2) Alternatively, take the path across the road behind the Second Beach Concession Stand into the woods, turn left onto Rawlings Trail, then continue for a few kilometres until you exit the forest at the Teahouse Restaurant. Take a right at the Teahouse and go down the hill to Third Beach.
By Bicycle: From Second Beach / Ceperley Park: Take the path across the road behind the Second Beach Concession Stand into the woods, turn left onto Rawlings Trail, then continue for a few kilometres until you exit the forest at the Teahouse restaurant. At the Teahouse take a right and go down the hill to Third Beach. Note that you can return to Second Beach via the Stanley Park Seawall.
By Bus: You CANNOT get to Third Beach by public transit.
Is it safe to swim at Third Beach in Stanley Park?
It is safe to swim at Third Beach in Stanley Park. There are lifeguards on duty during the summer. However, don't expect to swim out too far because it gets really deep and the ocean water in Vancouver is usually cool all year round.
What else is located near Third Beach in Stanley Park?
Third Beach is right on the Stanley Park Seawall. Siwash Rock is a short distance away on the seawall. Also, up the hill from Third Beach is Ferguson Point where the Teahouse Restaurant, E. Pauline Johnson Memorial, and Burma Forces cairn reside.