Third Beach

Third Beach is a Stanley Park beach on Stanley Park Drive in Vancouver, British Columbia, about 4 km north-west of downtown on the park's western shore. It faces open water toward the Strait of Georgia rather than the sheltered inlet of English Bay, giving wide horizons and some of the best sunsets in the city. The beach is a crescent of sand backed by large drift logs and tall trees, with a forested feel unusual for an urban shoreline. The water is cold Pacific seawater, generally calm and shallow near the edge, though the more open exposure means breezes and small waves can pick up. The mood is relaxed and scenic: couples, families and walkers settle on the logs for picnics, while the Stanley Park seawall passes immediately behind, busy with cyclists and runners. Amenities include lifeguards in season, public washrooms and a concession, with picnic logs and open sand for sitting. Visitors can arrive by TransLink bus 19 to Stanley Park and then walk, or follow the seawall from English Bay, a pleasant walk or cycle of a few kilometres. Parking is available within the park but fills on summer evenings, and visitors should check current vehicle access arrangements in Stanley Park before driving. Third Beach is generally quieter than English Bay, though it gets busy on warm evenings as people gather to watch the sun set over the water. Nearby Second Beach has a large outdoor pool, and the seawall continues toward Prospect Point and Lions Gate Bridge. The best months are June to September, and the beach remains rewarding for sunset photography and peaceful walks well into autumn.