Beach in Vancouver, British Columbia
Kitsilano Beach
Kitsilano Beach sits on English Bay beside the Seawall and Kitsilano Pool, with lifeguards in the main swim season, public washrooms, a concession, pay parking, and mobility equipment for beach access. Before swimming, check the flags on site and Vancouver Coastal Health's beach-water status, especially after rain or during hot summer stretches.
Kitsilano Beach
Plan your visit
What to know before you go.
City page places Kits Beach on Cornwall Avenue at the north end of Yew Street.
City beach guidance lists noon to 8:00 pm starting Victoria Day.
Beach water is tested during the swimming season and advisories are posted online.
Listed among Kits Beach features.
Main Arbutus lot has 268 stalls; McNicoll lot has 42.
Water wheelchairs are seasonal and require attendants at beaches.
The City also links to the Boathouse Waterfront Restaurant.
Fishing and bivalve harvesting are prohibited at the beach.
Best For
Good To Know
The larger 1426 Arbutus Street lot is the main vehicle option, while the smaller Kitsilano McNicoll lot adds 42 more stalls but is gated overnight.
The City places the Kitsilano beach mat between Kitsilano Pool and the concession, which is the practical orientation point for mobility access.
VCH uses E. coli monitoring and posts advisories, investigations, or closures when results or hazards affect swimming decisions.
Swimming Here
- Supervision
- Kitsilano Beach lists lifeguards from Victoria Day to Labour Day, and the City says lifeguards are on duty when red-and-yellow flags are posted.
- Water quality
- VCH monitors public beach water during the swimming season and posts sample results, advisories, investigations, and closures online. Open VCH water quality
- Child supervision
- City beach guidance gives child-to-supervisor ratios and tells visitors to swim in the designated area only when lifeguards are on duty.
Accessibility
- Beach mat
- Accessible beach mats are located at English Bay and Kitsilano; the Kitsilano mat is between Kitsilano Pool and the concession.
- Water wheelchair
- Water wheelchairs are available at Kitsilano Beach from Victoria Day to Labour Day, first come first served at no charge, and can be reserved at least 48 hours ahead.
- Attendants and PFD
- Beach water wheelchairs require two attendants, and the person using the chair must wear a PFD provided by the City.
Parking And Services
- Parking rates
- Both reviewed EasyPark lots list summer and winter hourly rates, posted daily maximums, no overnight parking, and app or card payment options.
- Facilities
- The City lists public washrooms, a concession, tennis courts, basketball courts, a playground, a swimming raft, and the Seawall at Kits Beach.
- Food
- A concession is listed at the beach, and the City links to the Boathouse Waterfront Restaurant beside the waterfront.
Rules To Check
- No fishing
- The Kitsilano Beach page says fishing and harvesting bivalve mollusks are not permitted.
- Dogs
- Dogs are allowed only at listed designated off-leash beach areas in Vancouver, and Kitsilano Beach is not listed as one of those dog beaches.
- Beach rules
- City beach guidance says not to make fires, smoke, drink alcohol, use inflatables in the water, litter, or play ball sports outside designated areas.
Official Info
- City beach page
- Use the Kitsilano Beach page for current facilities, lifeguard season, accessibility links, parking links, and beach-specific restrictions. Open Kitsilano Beach page
- Parking pages
- Use EasyPark for current lot rates, payment options, stall counts, daily maximums, and overnight restrictions before driving. Open EasyPark lot
Questions People Ask
When are lifeguards at Kitsilano Beach?
The Kitsilano Beach page lists lifeguards from Victoria Day to Labour Day. City beach guidance says lifeguards are on duty from noon to 8:00 pm starting Victoria Day, with August hours changing as sunset gets earlier.
How do I check water quality before swimming?
Use Vancouver Coastal Health's public beach water-quality page. VCH posts sample results, advisories, investigations, and closures for monitored beaches during the swimming season.
What does parking cost at Kitsilano Beach?
EasyPark lists both Kitsilano Beach lots at $4.75 per hour from May 1 to September 30 and $4.25 per hour from October 1 to April 30, with posted daily maximums and no overnight parking.
Are dogs allowed on Kitsilano Beach?
The City's beach guidance says dogs are allowed only at designated off-leash beach areas, and Kitsilano Beach is not listed among those dog beach locations.
Is there accessible beach equipment?
Yes. The City lists a Kitsilano beach mat between the pool and concession, plus seasonal water wheelchairs that require two attendants at beaches and can be reserved at least 48 hours ahead.
Can I fish at Kitsilano Beach?
No. The City says fishing and harvesting bivalve mollusks, such as clams, oysters, and mussels, are not permitted at Kitsilano Beach.
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 VancouverOfficial page
- City of VancouverOfficial page
- City of VancouverOfficial page
- Vancouver Coastal HealthOfficial page
- EasyParkOperator page
- EasyParkOperator page