Vancouver Park Board gets ready to take the plunge into outdoor pool and beach season

By City of Vancouver

May 7 2025 –

On Saturday, May 17, 2025, the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation will open two of its outdoor pools and staff its nine swimming beaches with lifeguards to help people safely enjoy time in and around the city’s waters this summer.

Outdoor aquatic season schedule

Registration for our first swim times on May 17 opens on Wednesday, May 14, at noon, and visitors can continue to book sessions three days in advance for the remainder of the season. There will be a number of drop-in sessions available; however, admission is not guaranteed.

We recommend pool users reserve online in advance through Showpass External website, opens in new tab, which will also be live as of May 14 at noon.

Kitsilano Pool – scheduled opening mid-June

Kitsilano Pool is more than 50 years old and in its end-of-life phase which means annual maintenance and potential repairs will continue to be necessary. Staff began their annual work to prepare the pool for the season, as soon as weather conditions allowed. During this process, pool infrastructure issues were identified that require additional attention before the pool can open. As a result, the pool is expected to open in mid-June.

We recognize that the pool holds a special place in the hearts of Vancouverites as an iconic facility, synonymous with summer. Staff are working hard to complete the necessary work and are committed to providing timely updates as progress continues.

To help meet demand as warmer weather approaches, the Park Board will be extending operating hours at Second Beach Pool to support additional public access until Kitsilano Pool opens.

New Brighton and Second Beach Pools – hours of operation

Maple Grove will open on Saturday, June 14. Hillcrest Outdoor Pool will open with the indoor pool after their extended maintenance refit. Both open Monday, June 30. More operational details to follow in the coming weeks.

Beaches

As of May 17, lifeguards will patrol and supervise designated swimming areas at the following beaches:

• English Bay
• Jericho
• Kitsilano
• Locarno
• Spanish Banks East and West
• Sunset
• Second
• Third
• Trout Lake

Patrolled swimming areas will be marked by red and yellow flags from 12pm to 8:30pm daily. These patrol hours will change later in the summer season as days become shorter.

Find information about beaches

Concessions

Park Board concession stands will open for the season on May 17, offering a variety of food and beverage options that prioritize sustainability while supporting local suppliers.

Visitors can enjoy options ranging from nostalgic favourites like fish and chips to ramen, west coast salmon fillet burgers, plant-based gelato and nitro-infused cold brew.

The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation and Batch Kitsilano are pleased to announce an upcoming partnership with DownLow Chicken (DL Chicken) that will launch at Kitsilano Pool Concession in June. Further details will be shared in the coming weeks.

Spray parks and wading pools

Spray parks will open to the public from Saturday, May 17, through until Tuesday, September 30, operating between 9am to 9pm daily.

Supervised spray parks, summer playground programming, and wading pools are staffed during peak attendance times. Staff supervise these parks from Wednesday, July 2, through until Sunday, August 31.

For specific park hours and operating dates, please visit our website.

Alcohol on beaches

After successful pilots in 2023 and 2024, the Park Board has approved alcohol consumption at select beaches starting in May 2025.

From May long weekend to September 30, adults over the age of 19 will be able to bring and consume alcohol at the following beaches between 11am to 9pm:

• Jericho Beach
• Spanish Banks
• Locarno Beach
• Second Beach (Stanley Park)
• Kitsilano Beach
• John Hendry / Trout Lake Beach
• New Brighton Beach

Drinking is not permitted at English Bay Beach, Sunset Beach Park and Third Beach (Stanley Park).

Beachgoers are reminded to avoid entering the water when intoxicated. We also ask visitors to respect other beach users and help keep greenspaces clean by properly disposing of trash or taking it away with them.

When consuming beverages in parks and beaches (alcoholic or not), do not bring any glass bottles or containers as broken glass poses an injury risk to beachgoers. Please bring cans, reusable and/or plastic or paper-based containers instead.
For a list of parks and beaches where drinking is allowed in Vancouver, visit vancouver.ca/alcohol-in-parks

Non-motorized watercraft

Beachgoers wanting to participate in canoeing, kayaking, rowing, dragon boating, outrigging, paddle boarding, surf skiing, windsurfing, small craft sailing, kite surfing and boarding can launch from and recover at the following beaches:

• Kitsilano Beach
• Spanish Banks East (this is the only designated kite surfing launch location)
• Spanish Banks West
• Sunset Beach