English Bay Beach (First Beach) in Vancouver, Canada is a wide, sandy, accessible beach good for sunbathing and swimming.

Located right on English Bay in the West End of Vancouver, it has been the main beach of Vancouver for over 100 years!

It is very accessible by transit and is only a 15-20 minute walk from the high rise buildings of downtown Vancouver.

This is the beach where the famous Joe Fortes taught countless children to swim.  There is a monument to Joe in the little park across Beach Avenue from English Bay.

Many people go to the beach to lay or sit in the sun, and in the summer months swim in the ocean.

There are 2 sand Volleyball Courts on the beach.

During the summer, a large raft with a Water Slide is put out in the water in front of the beach.

Check out the Video and Photos below.

During the summer months, many people swim at the beach.  There are change rooms, showers, and bathrooms at the English Bay Bath House right next to the beach.

There are lifeguards during the summer months.

English Bay beach is host to some of Vancouver's most popular events.  In the summer, there is the Celebration of Light Fireworks and Festival which hosts 3 nights of fantastic fire works.  On New Year's Day, thousands of crazy people go for a quick swim in the ocean as part of the world famous Polar Bear Swim!  For all these events, English Bay beach is packed solid with people!

English Bay Beach is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers because it has an Accessibility Mat.  There is also a beach wheelchair that can be borrowed in the summer.

Dogs must be leashed when on this beach.

The English Bay Beach Slide is a large platform with water slide that is brought out during the peak of summer when the weather is hot and the beach is busy.

The slide is open when the tide is in enough that it is deep enough to use.

The English Bay Accessibility Mat is a long mat that allows for people with wheelchair and/or strollers to go onto the beach.

English Bay Beach is one of the first beaches in the world with this accessibility.

The mat is located directly in front of the English Bay Bath House.

There are also 2 water wheelchairs that are available(late May to early Sep), but must be operated by 2 attendants.

There are 4 sand volleyball courts on English Bay beach.

There are stanchions (posts) for volleyball nets.  You can bring your own net or borrow one from the lifeguard station(with credit card or id as deposit).

You need to bring your own volleyball.

The volleyball courts are on a first-come, first serve basis.  There is no time limit.

Note that courts cannot be reserved unless it is for a tournament.

English Bay beach is the located on English Bay in Vancouver, BC, Canada.  The address of English Bay Beach is approximately 1800 Beach Avenue, Vancouver, BC, Canada.  This is at the intersection of Beach Avenue and Denman Street in the West End of Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Yes, it is safe to swim in English Bay.  The waves are not that large and you can go out a ways before it gets too deep.

However, the water is normally cold most of the year and is really only swimmable from July to September.

Lifeguards are on duty from late-May until early September for your safety!

Yes, there are washrooms in the English Bay Bath House which is right in front of the beach.

There is also a shower and water fountain in front of the bath house.

The slide at English Bay Beach is still around, but is only there during the peak of the summer.

Legally no, but many people indulge in an alcoholic beverage on the beach.  Unless you are causing problems, you are not usually ticketed.

The only time that the no alcohol policy is strictly enforced is during the Celebration of Light Fireworks and Festival.

There is no parking lot at English Bay Beach.  There is meter pay parking on the main streets near English Bay beach.  There are a couple of pay parking lots along Beach Avenue near Sunset Beach.

Yes, there are bus routes that runs along Beach and Pacific Avenues (#23) and both ways along Davie Street and Denman Street (#5).  The corner of these streets is one-half block from English Bay beach.

The English Bay Seawall runs the length in front of English Bay Beach.

The Cactus Club Cafe and English Bay Bath House are in front of the Beach.

Across the street is the A-Maze-Ing Laughter statues and the Sylvia Hotel.

Check out our: 2023 Guide to English Bay

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