wreck beach

Please see the links below for more info about Wreck Beach concerns & bulletins. Thank-you.

Wreck Beach 2003

Vancouver B.C.'s best and Canada's No. 1 Clothing Optional beach, Wreck beach is listed as one of the top ten nude (clothing optional) beaches in the world today. If you are looking for an opportunity to relax, unwind and enjoy the scenery while healing your Body, Mind and Spirit, Wreck Beach offers one of the best ways to do this for yourself.

At least a 300,000 visitors a year frequent Wreck beach and on a busy weekend, there may be as many as 1000 - 5000 people stretched out on this naturally beautiful 6 km (3 mile), clothing optional beach or 14,000 attending daily over a long sunny weekend. No worries, there are plenty of places on the beach to either be alone or be in the midst of the action.

Wreck Beach 1972

Approximately 75% is nudist community and 25% are "textiles " as the clothed are often called. Some areas may be marked by the local attending community as "nude only" so please be respectful as this is the way the regular's have space from gawkers and onlookers.

Having been to many famous nude beaches all over the world, there is nothing like Wreck Beach anywhere. Regular's of the Wreck Beach community personally attest to the wonderful healing aspects of this most incredible beach, rain or shine, winter, fall, spring or summer. Wreck Beach offers privacy or community depending on where you set yourself. Photo above Courtesy Jerry Prentice

Wreck from base of Trail 6 facing southwest

There are a multitude of healers, musicians jamming, jewelery, food, drink and naturally inclined herbal healing lotions, remedies and products available from Flinstone-style vending locations and very colorful characters of every description and age.

Wreck Beach is definitely better than television for entertainment on any given day. Described as a wonderful free spirited beach with a mellow ambience and weirdly innocent atmosphere, this beach is truly one-of-a-kind.

Photo above courtesy www.webshots.com

Looking north from Trail 6 towards Trail 4

The beach lives on with it's unique community spirit inspiring many to enjoy and co-create together to make sure it is kept as natural as possible for many generations to come. We have remained victorious in preserving it's natural beauty and environment and have set many precedents in co-creating a community of support amongst beachgoers, UBC students, the Vancouver Parks Board, local police and government.

The beach has undergone much in it's transition throughout the years and has been up against many different challenges from the powers that be which included trying to put in roads, build commercial vending locations, privatize, cut down trees, or alter the beautiful and natural environment of this great free-spirited place in one form or another. Photo above courtesy www.webshots.com

Cruise ship at Sunset from Wreck Beach

Within these pages you will find a wealth of useful information in regards to Wreck Beach. Dedicated to one of the most healing and special places in the world that has been a personal favorite since 1977, you will love the beach every season of the year.

More Wreck Beach Info...

activities, bulletins, concerns, directory, events, food, guide, history, music, massage, maps, parking, people, photos, products, protests, stories, swims, tides, trails, vendors, weather

Some pages may be in midst of construction. Please check back..

Weather Camera from Burrard Bridge

Live Kat Kam - click link for today's update if not visible...

The point of land usually centered in the live photo at the back is the beginning of Spanish Banks, Jericho Beach. Wreck Beach and UBC is around the corner (assuming the camera is facing the usual direction). A great overview of the weather from this perspective. Camera usually faces in the direction of the sunset (W/S/W in winter, W/N/W in summer).

Getting to Wreck's main beach area Trail 6

Wreck Beach Local Map Vancouver Area Map Wreck Beach Park Trails Map

UBC CAMPUS Way Finder Map Search

Located at the western-most point of Vancouver on the UBC campus. Wreck Beach is located at the bottom of the cliffs on the west side of Marine Drive behind Place Vanier Residence. Look for Gate 6 on the vertical UBC signposts at University Blvd. and you will have found Trail 6.

Although there are a few other trails and ways to get down to Wreck Beach, Trail 6 is well marked and by far the easiest and most accessible for everyone. On the west side of N.W. Marine Drive look for 6 yellow & green garbage/recycle bins, a big directional map, bike rack area and 2 porta-potties marking the top of the trail.

From Downtown Vancouver...

Take Burrard Street South, go west or left on 4th Avenue: Head west on 4th Avenue and follow all the way out to UBC till it turns into N.W. Marine Drive and watch for the vertical UBC signpost "Gate 6" and you will have found Trail 6 to Wreck Beach.

From 16th Avenue...

This info in midst of completion...

From 41st Avenue...

From the Airport...

By City Bus...

Parking for Wreck Beach

Trail 4 - Trail 5 - Trail 6 - Trail 7

Free Street Parking...

Available from 6am-11pm every day. From all along Marine Drive beginning at the Anthropology Museum at Trail 4 if you head north or just before, at and just past Trail 6 at UBC towards SW Marine Drive and Trail 7. As this parking is available for UBC students and beachgoers, expect to use the parking lots during high sun season and prime time school hours. Free parking is dependant on your timing and how long you hang out and wait for it if there is none available.

Check the parking signs carefully and watch for the red fire hydrants and motorcycle only areas. They tow religiously after 11pm at an $85 cost. You may want to drop your gear and friends at the top of the trail then get your parking spot. Try the following alternatives if there is no free parking available...

Main Parkade...

Available 24 hours. Go east on University Blvd from NW Marine Drive and almost directly across from Trail 6 at Gate 6 of UBC is the many-leveled parkade visible about a block east of the trail. This is the closest and cheapest parking on weekends or holidays. When you drive up - press the appropriate buttons, take a ticket and park.

Weekend/Holiday Rates: $3.50 a day. There is often no attendant on weekends, so have the correct change as the machine does not give any. Mon.-Fri. Rates: $1.25 for 30 minutes or $12.00 maximum which lets you park til 7am the next morning. There is usually an attendant there from 7am-11pm weekdays to take your money when you leave.

After hours they leave an envelope on your windshield. Put check or cash in it and drop it in the box at the kiosk on the way out. Neglecting to do this will result in an $85 tow charge if you ever park there again. ( Note, new quarters and American quarters may not work.)

Loonie Lot...

Available 7am-10pm. Located just south (2 blocks) past Trail 6 and Gate 6 at University Boulevard on Marine Drive. This is a small lot of about 50 spaces.

Rates any day: $1.00 hour or $5 a day maximum til 10pm that day. During the week, this is a better lot to park in for the price.

Alternative Trails to Wreck Beach

Wreck Beach Park Trails Map Wreck Beach Local Map Vancouver Area Map

Tide Tables

Wreck Beach officially begins at Acadia Beach and ends at Blue Ground Creek and is a full 7.8km long stretch of beach area. Below are brief insights on other ways to find your way to the beach if you are adventuresome and so motivated...

From Spanish Banks or Jericho Beach...

Walking along the shoreline can be a great experience if you start early in the day and check the tides are out for the duration of your excursion. As some of the beach walking is tide sensitive, you may get stranded and have to find your way through the local shoreline brush at high tide if your timing is off so check the Tide Tables first.

This is a great journey but it takes awhile to get to the main beach at Trail 6 before you can R&R. Follow a well marked trail due west from Jericho Beach for about a half an hour. As the shoreline turns south the trail becomes broken. For the next hour or so you will sometimes walk on the beach sometimes on trail. Once you pass two abandoned light towers you will round a headland and come upon the main beach area of Trail 6. There are always lots of great spots to stop and enjoy along the way, so let the journey inspire you to be in the moment.

Wreck Beach Trail 3...

If anyone has insights on this route please contact us so we can add the info here.

Wreck Beach Trail 4 at the Anthropology Museum...

Just behind the Anthropology Museum lies this trail. Two abandoned light towers mark Trail 4 area of the beach. If anyone has insights on this route please contact us so we can add the info here.

Wreck Beach Trail 7...

A beautiful and scenic trail down, this journey is quite enjoyable as it is fairly well maintained like Trail 6. It is also however a much longer walk to the main beach area of Trail 6 at the bottom as you must make your way to the right or north and walk along the shoreline trails for another 20 minutes to reach it.

Once you see the main beach you will have to make your way as far down as you can go and cross the mud flats near the grassy area or walk further along till you find easier access. Do not cross the mud flats with bare feet as they can be very toxic if you have any open wounds or cuts. Plan to wash your legs and runners in the ocean as you can sink in up to a foot or more at times so it is not recommended for small children.

This is a good route to explore the natural beauty of the shoreline trails, small waterfalls, creeks and local foliage. This area is affectionately known as "The Oasis" and is a beautiful and more private area with wonderful little white sand alcoves and viewpoints where you can picnic or hang out. There is no access to the water in this area however unless you want to brave the deep mudflats, however there is lot's of shade available under the trees.

Wreck Beach Trail 8...

If anyone has insights on this route please contact us so we can add the info here.

Other Trails and Special Spots to Explore

Standing base of Trail 6 facing ocean heading right or north...

Here you will find a more secluded beach area right up against the forest about 1-2 blocks long that is slightly sandy, narrow and somewhat rocky in places with wonderful little cubbyholes and natural windbreak areas for more private and quiet time.

Down about 2 blocks the local beachgoers have created a protected perch known as the "Condos" which escapes the bristling winter winds that sometimes plaque the main beach. As early as February and as late as November (sometimes year round), the nudist specialists are in attendance, naked and armed with reflective metallic backdrops for tanning in the cooler seasons.

Immediately past the "Condos" you will access a slightly hidden Trail 4 which is a steeper path with high steps leading up to the Anthropology Museum.

Further exploration around the point heading north will lead you to Jericho Beach and Spanish Banks. Be prepared to check the Tide Tables first or you may arrive at the beach easily but may be wading in the ocean or scaling the cliffside to return if it changes.

Standing base of Trail 6 facing ocean heading left or south...

Right at the back of the main beach is what is known as vendors row where merchandise, various kinds of food, refreshments and healing vendors including massage can be found.

On a good day when the tide is way out, walk all the way out to the end of rock pier to what I am told is a fabulous secluded sandy beach area. Lovers go there for privacy. Be sure to consider you may have to walk back on the rocks if the tide comes in before you return so good running shoes are a must. Check tide tables.

Explore the very back of the beach closest to the forest behind the mud flats. The trails along the forest shore in this area are particularly beautiful and you will feel as though you have walked into a tropical paradise. With small white sandy alcoves, overgrown bush carved out to walk through, amazing vistas of the ocean perched on a log at waters edge, waterfalls, cliff top trails and lots of flora and fauna, it is a captivating journey.

What you must know about Wreck Beach...

Condensed Wreck Beach Guide Wreck Beach Concerns Beach Etiquette

Wreck Beach Bulletin Board Wreck Beach Fun Events & Fundraisers

Wreck Beach - Indoor Nude Swims Calendar

What you pack in you must pack out!

Garbage Disposal: There are no garbage cans on the beach! Everyone must carry their own garbage back up the trail. Paper garbage only may be left on the main fire pit located beach central. Every beach-goer must be diligent about handling their own garbage as the community attending keeps the beach clean, not the Parks Board, as it is inaccessible for them to maintain.

Recyclable aluminum cans or plastic bottles may be left on the beach loose for the few entrepreneurs that make their living collecting them. Do not leave glass bottles as it tends to get broken or thrown in fires by late night partiers and becomes a hazard for bare feet beachers.

Toilets: 4 portable toilets at the base of Trail 6 and 2 at the top and no fresh running water to speak of. On a busy day, bring extra toilet paper.

Telephones: Public phone are at the top of Trail 6, but none on the beach itself.

In case of Emergency: Most of the beach community will lend a cell phone. If you cannot make it back up the trail due to injury - Call 911 and the hydrofoil will be called to take you by boat or they will send down medics. You will have to pay for the emergency service.

Motorboats, Sailboats & Boating Etiquette: No motorized vehicles are allowed within the line marked by the red Scotsman's balls according to By-Law #745. These balls run from the North Arm Breakwater (line of rocks) and Point Grey. This by-law is enforceable by the RCMP and vessels coming into shore who are in contravention of this bylaw will be ticketed $250 on the spot. Operators of all vehicles must be 16 years of age and have proof of competency on board. Tide Tables

Kayaks and canoes are no problem to bring in to the beach area. Please be very careful of the many submerged rocks that lie hidden just below the water surface as the tide comes in. Keep a close eye on your boat as the tides are quite dramatic at Wreck Beach. Many a boat has gone adrift or has been anchored out so far as to leave the owners swimming to it later in the day. Tide Tables

Swimming: Wreck Beach has a large area for swimming and it is now designated with red Scotsman's balls. Although the water is very cold it is also refreshing on a hot summery day. The tides go out quite far sometimes allowing a large strolling area to the water. It is not a good idea to swim in the area closest to the forest as the mud flats are deep and not very safe to walk in as you cannot see what you are treading on. The WBPS and GVRD are working with Federal Authorities to have the bathing area between the North Arm Breakwater (line of rocks) and Point Grey declared a restricted swimming area. In the interim the WBPS is exploring obtaining international symbols (white barrels marked with red swimmers) for the protected swimming areas now marked with red Scotsman's balls.

What NOT to bring to the beach...

Glass containers of any kind.

Radios or ghetto blasters are very frowned on as many people like peace and quiet so bring headphones or you may get asked to turn it off.

Cameras: including video cameras or cell phones with photo capability are not recommended as people do not take lightly to being filmed or photographed in the nude without permission especially in light of the internet accessibility. Local community beachgoers also keep a close eye for suspicious bags or packs that carry hidden video cameras that sneakily take pictures of the nudists. So be prepared to have your camera confiscated if you abuse this or at the very least, your film may be destroyed and the local authorities called. Lot's of the beach community watches out for each other in this regard and have been known to confiscate cameras when someone refused to respect others right to privacy.

Camping Gear: There is no camping on the beach. The Parks Board often arrives on the beach at 8am to roust any overnighters off, sometimes with a fine and the Police frequently show up at sunset to close the beach off.

Dogs and Other Pets: Dogs are not allowed on the beach from May to September. You may risk getting a fine for your dog from the Parks Board of at least $100 during the restricted summer months if they show up unexpectedly as they often do. If you bring your dog to the beach, clean up it's mess and provide water and shade for it. Loose dogs have been known to kill baby seals and nesting birds, so please keep them leashed and out of the sun. Also remember to walk it by the water in the cooler sand areas as it's sensitive feet pads may get burnt on the hot sand.

The beach has seen pet cats, pigs, snakes, parrots, rats and ferrets. Again, although it may be a novelty to bring your pet, the hot sun and lack of water and shade will take it's toll on your pet in the summer. So, unless you are diligent about caring for your pet all day on the beach and want to risk a hefty fine, leave it at home where it can be safe.

Fires: There is an official no fires rule on the beach. As it is often an extreme fire hazard to the local trees day or night, especially during the hot summer months, they are not recommended. The local fire department, police or parks board is diligent about issuing fines in this regard as we have already lost an acre of forest green due to a careless flame.

Condensed Wreck Beach Guide

What to bring to the Beach...

Travelling light: If you want to just show up and have a good time, just bring cash as most things are available to purchase, however, you do take your chances. Weather changes may limit the vendor attendance if it looks like a slow day for them so at least come prepared with some money, and the optional following of a sheet or towel, sunscreen, water and a light snack just in case you arrive on an "off" day. Also, please bring a small plastic grocery bag for your garbage so you can take it up the trail easily.

Travelling prepared: Once you are on the beach it is a long way back up if you forget something, so take it from those who have gone before you, being prepared in advance is best. The key is light, compact and easily portable as much as possible or you will be groaning on the way back up as there are at least 400 stairs to climb.

Back pack for all your gear and easy carrying for the long trail up

Small soft portable cooler with ice, snacks, water, beverages

Plastic grocery bag for all your garbage to carry it back up.

Beach sheet and/or towel, suntan lotion, sunscreen, sunglasses

Umbrella for some shade if it is a very hot day

Small tarp or nylon sheet and rope if it is a very windy day

Windbreaker and long pants to layer on as it cools towards sunset

Runners are best for traveling up and down the trail

Thongs are great once you are there as the sand gets very hot

Fanny pack or small purse to carry your valuables around with you

Kleenex or a bit of toilet paper in case the toilets are out

Damp washcloth in a ziplock is great for wiping hands during the day

Cash in small bills for purchase and coins for parking

Good book or pen and paper for when inspiration hits.

Musical instruments to jam such as guitars, drums, percussion

Beverage Note: Glass is heavy to carry up the trail and if you leave it behind it tends to get broken by the vandals and left in the sand which is dangerous on bare feet. Please bring beverages contained in recyclable aluminum cans, tetra bricks or plastic bottles. Bonus Note: During the summer months, if you bring these recyclables you can freely throw them on the beach as there are several resident "bottle" pickers in the beach community who gladly pick them up and make their living doing this. However, do not leave your other garbage for someone else to pick up.

Other Notes: Some cell phones work on the beach (occasionally you have to find the right spot) and others do not. Fido is notoriously bad, Telus and Nokia are usually OK.

Print off a condensed version of the basics (in midst of construction) you need to get to the beach and find all you need. Link includes a coupon for $5 off your first 30 min. massage with Diana or Brad at HEAVEN.

Keys are often left hanging on the sign at the top of Trail 6 or on the metal signpost at the base of Trail 6 if found on the beach. You may check out Stormin' Norman's Spirit Grill under the green parachute as people often turn things in there. Other options for lost & found include the following...