Beach in Vancouver, British Columbia
Centennial Beach
Centennial Beach is the sandy swim and picnic area inside Boundary Bay Regional Park in Tsawwassen. It has practical family facilities close to the beach, but the visit depends on three checks: tide timing, current water-quality status, and the fact that swimming is unsupervised.
Centennial Beach
Plan your visit
What to know before you go.
Boundary Bay Regional Park in Delta.
Permitted, but swim at your own risk.
Fraser Health and Metro Vancouver post seasonal results.
Accessible washrooms, change rooms, playground, and mat.
Arrive early on warm summer weekends.
Leashed in park, but off beach and reserves.
Low-tide flats and changing tides need care.
Centennial Beach Cafe operates in the park.
Best For
Good To Know
Metro Vancouver warns that distant sandbars can stay exposed while water closer to shore gets deeper, so keep children close and watch the tide return.
In summer, Metro Vancouver says a blue walkway mat provides access to the beach environment, with accessible washrooms, change rooms, and playground nearby.
Boundary Bay is on the Pacific Flyway, and Metro Vancouver asks visitors to stay out of wildlife reserves and management areas and keep dogs leashed.
Swimming Here
- Supervision
- Swimming is permitted at Centennial Beach, but Metro Vancouver says no lifeguard is on duty and visitors swim at their own risk.
- Water quality
- Metro Vancouver tests E. coli at local beaches from May to September and sends results to health authorities. Fraser Health posts current advisories and sample-result context for its region. Open Fraser Health beach status
- Mudflats
- At low tide, Metro Vancouver warns that the foreshore mudflats may have extremely soft sand and sinking hazards.
Facilities
- Washrooms and change rooms
- The City of Delta lists washrooms, and Metro Vancouver says Centennial Beach washrooms and change rooms are accessible.
- Picnic setup
- Metro Vancouver lists several picnic tables and two picnic shelters at Centennial Beach, each seating 75 people.
- Food
- The City of Delta says Centennial Beach Cafe operates in the park, and Destination Vancouver describes a beach concession stand.
Parking And Arrival
- Driving route
- Destination Vancouver describes the route via Highway 99, Highway 17A/17, 56 Street, 12 Avenue, and Boundary Bay Road into the park.
- Parking lots
- Destination Vancouver says there are two large parking lots at the end of Boundary Bay Road, and recommends going early on summer weekends.
- Transit
- Destination Vancouver says the 601 bus from Bridgeport Station stops on Boundary Bay Road outside the park; TransLink has also described a proposed future seasonal Centennial Beach route for summer 2027.
Rules To Check
- Dogs
- Dogs must be leashed and under control, and Metro Vancouver says dogs are not permitted in wildlife reserves or on the beach.
- Shellfish and crab
- Metro Vancouver says clams and other mollusks cannot be harvested from Boundary Bay; crab fishing requires a tidal licence, and undersized or female crabs cannot be harvested.
- Fires
- Fires are permitted only in designated Centennial Beach fire rings, and hot-weather restrictions may apply.
Questions People Ask
Is Centennial Beach lifeguarded?
No. Metro Vancouver says swimming is permitted at Centennial Beach, but no lifeguard is on duty and visitors swim at their own risk.
What should I check before swimming?
Check Fraser Health/Metro Vancouver water-quality status, tide timing, weather, and posted park notices. Fraser Health also advises avoiding swimming for 48 hours after significant rainfall.
Are washrooms and change rooms available?
Yes. The City of Delta lists washrooms, and Metro Vancouver says Centennial Beach washrooms and change rooms are accessible.
Can dogs go on Centennial Beach?
No. Metro Vancouver says dogs must be leashed in the park and are not permitted on the beach or in wildlife reserves.
Is there parking near the beach?
Yes. Destination Vancouver describes two large parking lots at the end of Boundary Bay Road and recommends early arrival on summer weekends.
Can I harvest shellfish or crab at Boundary Bay?
Metro Vancouver says it is illegal to harvest clams or other mollusks from Boundary Bay. Crab fishing requires a tidal licence, and undersized or female crabs cannot be harvested.
SourcesShow source links
Page facts are backed by official, operator, map, or supporting source links. Internal social research signals are not shown here.
Official And Operator
- City of DeltaOfficial page
- Metro Vancouver Regional ParksOfficial page
- Metro VancouverOfficial page
- Fraser HealthOfficial page
- TransLinkOfficial page
Supporting
- Destination VancouverTourism page