wreck beach getting there

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General Information...

Located at the western-most point of Vancouver on the UBC campus. Wreck Beach Trail 6 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 5...

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

Wreck Beach Trail 6

See info at top of this page to find your way to Trail 6 for the main big beach area.

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.