Get

In Your Inbox

Dogster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Top 11 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Vancouver in 2026: On & Off-Leash Places to Go

Share

Great Dane by the beach

Vancouver is known for its mild climate and gorgeous mountain and ocean views, which makes it a popular place to live or visit. And because Vancouver is on the west coast of Canada, this provides many beach and swimming opportunities!

And luckily, Vancouver has a host of beaches that are most definitely dog friendly. Therefore, we’re listing the top 11 beaches in Vancouver (although a few are a bit of a drive) that welcome dogs.

divider dog paws 3 oct 2024

The 11 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Vancouver, British Columbia

1. Ambleside Beach

️ Address: West Vancouver, V7T 1C1
Open Times: 24 hours
Cost: Free
Off-Leash: Yes, in designated areas
  • Located in West Vancouver
  • Off-leash dog park in the east section of the park
  • 6 acres of trails, grass, and beach
  • Scenic views of Stanley Park and the Lion’s Gate Bridge
  • Beautiful seawall walking paths

2. Buntzen Lake

️ Address: 5000 Sunnyside Rd., Anmore V3H 4Z2
Open Times: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost: Free
Off-Leash: Yes, in designated areas
  • Located close to Anmore, roughly 30 minutes from Vancouver
  • Features a fenced-off swimming area for your dog
  • Gorgeous views and hiking trails
  • Parking is free but must be booked in advance through BC Hydro
  • It’s a long hike, but check out the Diez Vistas for an incredible view!

3. CRAB Park

️ Address: 101 E Waterfront Rd, Vancouver V6A 4K3
Open Times: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Cost: Free
Off-Leash: Yes, in designated areas
  • Off-leash grassy and beach area for some play and cooling-off
  • Quiet park located close to Gastown
  • Also has playgrounds, a spray/water park, and picnic areas
  • Lots of benches to choose from for a rest or to take in the view

4. Devonian Harbour Park

️ Address: 1929 W Georgia St., Vancouver V6G 2W9
Open Times: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Cost: Free
Off-Leash: Yes, in designated areas
  • Next to the Coal Harbour area
  • The park is almost 11 acres large
  • Off-leash areas include a partially fenced-off grassy space and the beach
  • Very nice walking trails
  • Features a large pond and some statues

5. Fraser River Park

️ Address: 8705 Angus Dr., Vancouver V6P 6G2
Open Times: Dawn to Dusk
Cost: Free
Off-Leash: Yes, in designated areas
  • Off-leash dog area includes the beach and grassy area, as well as walking along the boardwalk
  • Keep an eye out for signs for leashing your dog
  • Quiet spot great for relaxing and having a picnic
  • Plenty of driftwood logs to sit or even walk on
  • Not as accessible as other parks, so it tends to be quieter

6. Hadden Park

️ Address: 1000 Chestnut St., Vancouver V6J 3J9
Open Times: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Cost: Free
Off-Leash: Yes, in designated areas
  • Hadden Park is between Granville Island and Kitsilano Beach
  • Kits Dog Beach is off-leash and features grassy areas to run and a sandy beach to explore
  • Take a look at the 100-foot totem pole carved by Kwakiutl Chief Mungo Martin from an old (600 years!) cedar tree while you’re there
  • Gorgeous scenic views of the North Shore mountains and English Bay
  • Lots of driftwood logs to climb and sit on

7. John Hendry Park

️ Address: Lakewood Dr., E 13th Ave, Vancouver V5N 5W8
Open Times: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Cost: Free
Off-Leash: Yes, in designated areas
  • John Hendry Park is also known as Trout Lake and is found in East Vancouver
  • The shores of the lake are sandy, and dogs are allowed off-leash at the north end of the lake
  • Look for meetups posted by other dog owners for socializing and events
  • There’s a Saturday Farmer’s Market in the summer that welcomes on-leash dogs
  • There are picnic areas, and BBQs are permitted

8. McDonald Beach Park

️ Address: 3500 McDonald Rd., Richmond V7B 1M4
Open Times: Dawn to dusk
Cost: Free
Off-Leash: Yes, in designated areas
  • 26-acre park found in Richmond
  • The beach is several kilometres and gets bigger at low tide
  • There are a number of wooded trails to hike
  • A large field for running and playing fetch is available as well
  • You can watch airplanes as well as working boats on the river

9. New Brighton Park

️ Address: 3201 New Brighton Rd., Vancouver V5K 0A1
Open Times: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Cost: Free
Off-Leash: Yes, in designated areas
  • Located in the Hastings-Sunrise area
  • Small beach area to the right of the park is for dogs
  • There’s an additional very large, enclosed dog park for your pup to enjoy
  • There are a number of great hiking and walking trails
  • There is a concession stand, playgrounds, and a picnic site

10. Spanish Banks Beach

️ Address: 4801 NW Marine Dr., Vancouver V6T 1E2
Open Times: Dawn to dusk
Cost: Parking fees
Off-Leash: Yes, in designated areas
  • Large off-leash area for dogs can be found at the farthest west part of Spanish Banks
  • Generally quiet, pebbly beach with a rocky shoreline
  • Great spot to watch the sunset
  • Concession stands are available for snacking
  • A number of trails are available, including the Canyon Trail loop, which will take you into the woods

11. Sunset Beach Park

️ Address: 1204 Beach Ave., Vancouver V6E 1V3
Open Times: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Cost: Parking fees
Off-Leash: Yes, in designated areas
  • This quiet beach is found in the West End of Vancouver
  • Not a surprise that this is a beautiful spot to take in the sunset
  • Lots of sand and a great place for dogs to swim and socialize
  • You can access the seawall for an extended walk – just be sure to leash your dog
  • There are lifeguards at this location from late May to early September

divider dog paws 3 oct 2024

Final Thoughts

You really can’t beat the views in and around Vancouver, and what better way to enjoy the scenery than unwinding at a beach with your dog!

It’s quite important that you follow the rules – know what beaches allow dogs and when to put the leash on. Fines can be pretty hefty if you get caught breaking any of the city’s rules.

Remember to bring everything you need for a day out with your best friend, which means poop bags are essential, as are water, toys, snacks, and a leash. This way, you’ll both enjoy a beautiful and stress-free day at the beach!


Featured Image Credit: everydoghasastory, Shutterstock

Want content like this delivered to you?

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

News, insights, expert advice, and everything dog

* By submitting, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.




How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Dogster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.


Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

Marigold Shocks Her Owner By Delivering 17 Irish Doodle Puppies in a Single Day

The one question vets hate hearing as they ultrasound expectant canine mothers is “how many puppies are there?” The reason is that, on...

Dogster’s Weekly Photo Contest Winners: Out Adventuring (March 12, 2026)

Every week our team gets the privilege of sorting through our readers photos to choose what dogs will win this weeks contest! See...

Ask Dr. Paola- Help! My Dog Gets Reoccurring UTIs (March 9, 2026)

Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” series, where every Monday we bring expert advice straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to help our...

DIY Repellents for the Dog Who Thinks Everywhere Is His Toilet

Dog urine and everything nice have a complicated relationship. One thrives, the other suffers, and if you’re reading this, you already know which...

More related

Scotchi (Scottish Terrier & Chihuahua Mix): Info, Pictures, Care & More

Also known as the Scotchahua, the Scotchi is a hybrid breed, a cross between the adorable Scottish Terrier and the feisty Chihuahua. Not...

5 Dog Breeds With Long Ears (With Pictures & Facts)

Other than the occasional wiggle, humans rarely move their ears. Our dogs, however, have muscles that allow them to turn, raise, tilt, and...

200+ Popular Chow Chow Dog Names: Unique Options for Your Adorable Pet

Chow Chows are not one of the most popular dogs in America. However, they aren’t so rare that you can’t find one, either....

What Breed of Dog Is Buddy in Cruella? Popular Movie Pup

One of the best-known Disney villains is the evil fashionista Cruella De Vil. She’s sinister, destructive, and always looks fabulous. But most importantly,...

Keep reading

Can Dogs Eat Cassava? Vet Reviewed Nutrition Facts

Dogs are known for eating just about anything that they can get their paws on, whether it’s a piece of meat, something sweet, or even a vegetable. You may not think that a dog would actually want to eat something...

Can Dogs Eat_Cassava

Semi-Moist, Dry & Canned Dog Food: Vet-Reviewed Pros & Cons

The world of dog food, diets, and what to feed your dog specifically has become an ever-changing topic. With so many brands, flavors, and types these days, it has almost become a complicated and mysterious affair to unravel. Yet it...

different kinds of dry and wet pet food

Can Dogs Eat Dried Apricots? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & Info

Our dogs are omnivorous creatures—just like us. That means they could enjoy a wide selection of meat, fruits, veggies, and grains! If you’ve been looking for a few different options, other than boring dog treats to get your dog’s appetite...

Dogster-Can-Dogs-Eat-Dried Apricot

Can Dogs Eat Bones? Vet-Approved Health & Safety Guide

Dogs and bones seem to go together like peanut butter and jelly, but is it actually safe or healthy to offer a bone to your dog? While bones can be a good source of minerals and nutrients and clean the...

Can Dogs Eat Bones

10 Best Bowls for Small Dogs in 2026 – Reviews & Top Picks

Finding the perfect bowl for a small dog will be different for every owner because, apart from their size, every small dog differs from the next. We can all agree that some of our needs overlap; the perfect bowl is...

French bulldog eating from a bowl

7 Best Dog Foods for Bladder Stones in 2026 – Reviews & Top Picks

Bladder stones are not only painful and can leave your dog feeling miserable, but they can also lead to serious and dangerous health concerns. There are many options out there for food, and each food will do something different depending...

brown dog sniffing a dog food

How Do I Get Dog Food Recall Alerts? Free & Easy Ways

Finding out that your dog’s food has been recalled is any dog owner’s nightmare. Even worse, the food could be recalled without you hearing about it, meaning you will unknowingly continue to feed your dog food that is possibly contaminated....

woman buying dog food

Can Dogs Eat Carrot Cake? Vet-Reviewed Facts & Safe Recipes

We are all well aware that human foods can be harmful to dogs. Some just don’t have any health benefits for canines, while others are highly toxic to them, including many sweet treats. Dogs shouldn’t eat carrot cake, though if...

Can Dogs Eat Carrot Cake

Love Dogs? So Do We! Join the Dogster Community

Stay informed with expert pet care insights delivered straight to your inbox! Discover professional guidance on animal behavior, feeding tips, trusted product picks, and much more.




Sign up for the Dogster Email Newsletter