For more information see www.cocreation.net/wreck_beach.htm
Getting To Wreck Beach Trail 6 (main beach)... From Downtown Vancouver: Take Burrard St. South, go west or left on 4th Avenue: Head west on 4th Ave.& follow all the way to UBC till it turns into N.W. Marine Dr. Watch for vertical UBC signpost "Gate 6" at University Blvd. & you will have found Trail 6 to Wreck Beach. A well marked trail, it is by far the easiest, 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 & 2 porta-potties marking the top of the trail.
Map courtesy www.wreckbeach.org
Weather camera: www.katkam.ca Point of land usually centered in live photo is beginning of Spanish Banks, Jericho Beach. Wreck Beach & UBC is around corner (assuming the camera faces usual direction). Weather website: http://www.weather.yahoo.com
Parking: Free on Street 6am-11pm daily. Park along NW Marine Dr. from the Anthropology Museum at Trail 4 or just before, at & just past Trail 6 at UBC towards SW Marine Dr. and Trail 7. Parking available for UBC students & beachgoers. Check signs carefully as they tow religiously. Drop gear & friends at the top of the trail then get a parking spot if you have lots to carry. Main Parkade: Open 24 hrs/ tickets good 7am-7am next day . Wknds/Hols $3.50 a day. M-F $1.25 for 30 mins. or $12 max. Go east on University Blvd from NW Marine Dr. Almost directly across from Trail 6 at Gate 6 of UBC off University Blvd. is the many-leveled parkade visible about a block east of the trail. Attendant weekdays 7am-llpm to take your money when you leave. After hours they leave an envelope on your windshield for your cash or check. Loonie Lot: 7am-10pm daily. $1 hr. or $5 a day max. til 10pm that day. Located just south (2 blocks) past Trail 6 & Gate 6 on Marine Dr. Small lot of 50 spaces this is a better lot weekdays for the price.
What you must know about the Beach...
Garbage: What you pack in you must pack out! No cans on the beach!
Recyclable cans/plastic bottles may be left on the beach loose for bottle pickers. Do not leave glass as it tends to get broken.
Toilets: 4 at the base of Trail 6 & 2 at top. No running water to speak of.
Telephones: Public phone at the top of Trail 6, none on beach.
Emergency: Beach community will usually lend a cell phone. If you cannot make it back up the trail due to injury - Call 911 & they will send medics or hydrofoil. Charge for emergency service.
Radios/ghetto blasters need headphones or you may get asked to turn it off as most like peace & quiet on the beach. Enjoy live music instead.
Cameras: Respect others right to privacy. Not recommended unless you want it confiscated or the film destoyed. Local community beachgoers keep a close eye for suspicious bags or packs that carry hidden cameras.
Camping: No camping on beach.
Dogs - Not allowed on beach May to Sept. If you bring your dog, clean it's mess, provide water & shade. Leash them as loose dogs kill baby seals & nesting birds. A dog's sensitive feet pads may burn on the hot sand so walk by water. Parks Board fines of at least $100 for dogs.
Fires - Official no fires rule on beach. Extreme fire hazard to local trees day or night, especially during summer. Fire Department, Police & Parks Board is diligent about issuing hefty fines.
What to bring to the Beach... Travelling light: Show up, have a good time & just bring cash as most things are available to purchase summertime. Bring basics like a sheet or towel, sunscreen, water, light snack & a plastic bag for your garbage.
Travelling prepared: Be prepared. The key is light, compact & easily portable or you'll be groaning on the 400 stairs back up the trail at the end of the day. Bring coins for parking & cash for purchases. Consider: Back pack, small soft portable cooler with ice, snacks, water, beverages, plastic grocery bag for garbage, beach sheet or towel, suntan lotion, sunscreen, sunglasses, umbrella, windbreaker, long pants as it cools towards sunset, runners for the trail, thongs once there, small fanny pack for valuables, kleenex in case toilets out, damp washcloth in ziplock for hands, pen or paper, musical instruments, percussion, drums to jam.
What it costs for a Day on the Beach... Food ranges from $1 - $8 on average for item or plate. Beverages $2 - $5. Beach sheets $20, sarongs from $7.50 -$10. Clothing $4 & up. Massage $1 minute. Jewelry ranges $2 - $50. (It is illegal to bring or sell alcohol & authorities will have you pour it out or fine you. Vendors take American $ at par or with exchange depending on individual. Visa or MasterCard is taken at the Massage & First Aid stand with Brad & Diana in vendors row.
Massage on the Beach at Trail 6... There is nothing like having a massage on the beach on a glorious day as it takes relaxation of the body-mind-spirit to a whole other level. Ever-changing people do various forms of massage on the beach. Diana & Brad have a permanent location in the quiet zone towards the back of the beach. Available May - Sept. 11am-evening most sunny weekends for sure, days of the week will vary. Massage on Beach call 604-216-0260 to confirm our beach attendance or book in Studio. Cash, Visa, MasterCard Amex. accepted. See our website for more info at www.cocreation.net
Local Tides www.tides.info Ocean & Shoreline Inhabitants www.oceanlink.island.net
Motorboats & Boating Etiquette... Up until the summer of 2003, boats were allowed to anchor in at the beach amongst the swimmers. Finally, after much protest from all the beachgoers about the gasoline, fumes, noise and danger to swimmers we were granted immunity from anymore problems with motorboats in the main beach area as is enforced in all other public beaches. Although not marked at the moment, the swimming area is the whole length of the beach and motorboats are asked to anchor behind the bouys. The Coast Guard now actively enforces and fines any motorboats ignoring this fact. It is no problem to bring in your kayaks, canoes or sailboats if they are not motorized. 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.
Other wildlife of a more human nature... Music - Drumming - Singing - Many musicians frequent the beach on any given day including our resident Rekkerz (beach north) & the acoustic accoutrements of Lookinglass (beach central) plus many other single artists & talents. Feel free to join in the jamming, singing & drumming that occurs in many areas on the beach & goes into the evening with sunsets "Salute to the Sun". Bring instruments, voice, percussion, drums & join others at Trail 6.
Other Trails and Special Spots to Explore...
Standing at the bottom of Trail 6 as you face the ocean & head right or north...
Here lies a secluded beach area right up against the forest about 1-2 blocks long that is slightly sandy, narrow & somewhat rocky in places with wonderful little cubbyholes & natural windbreak areas for more private & quiet time.
About 2 blocks down, the locals have created a protected perch known as the "Condos" where as early as Feb.& as late as Nov. nudist specialists are in attendance, naked & armed with mettalic windbreaks 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 will lead you to Jericho Beach & Spanish Banks. Check tides 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 at the bottom of Trail 6 as you face the ocean and head left or south...
Right at the back of the beach is what is known as vendors row where merchandise, various kinds of food, refreshments & healing massage can be found.
On a good day when the tide is way out, walk about 30 mins. 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. Consider returning before the tide comes in. Running shoes a must for the rocks.
Check out 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 & you will feel as though you have walked into a tropical paradise. Small 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 & lots of flora & fauna.
Products and Services to watch for... Many services & products are available on the beach. Wandering vendors offer their wares as they walk through the crowd. Listen to their by-lines to see what they sell. Other vendors market their healing, jewellery, art, carvings, clothing etc. & although some are regular vendors each year, only a few set up in the same location to find them easily. Whatever you indulge in, be conscious of others personal values and right to comfortable enjoyment on the beach with their families & small children.
Food and Beverages... Local food and beverage vendors work diligently to bring you treats as all is hauled up & down the trail daily. Feel grateful to pay the prices asked as they are extremely committed & labor long & hard in the hot sun to provide you with lots of variety & goodness. Wreck Beach community has joined with the Parks Board to align licensed food vendors to prepare you wonderful treats in rustic flavored beachside stands. Licensed vendors have to pass food safe & are regularly checked by the Parks Board for cleanliness. Other vendors wander the crowds selling wares out of a cooler & may or may not be licensed. If you are concerned about this factor, feel free to ask if they are licensed. Wares include sandwiches, samosas, Chinese buns, pop, juice, water, beer, tropical mixed drinks, special coffees, banana bread, brownies & cookies. Be conscious & confident of what you are buying before you buy.
Food and Beverage Vendors to watch for at Trail 6... Most vendors listed are fairly regular on any given sunny day throughout the summer months May - August. Following list is according to where they hang out beginning at the bottom of Trail 6 at the back of the beach and heading south towards the rock pier...
Bruce & Mari - (Look for the first colorful fabrics you see blowing in the wind beach north) Bruce & Mari make a trip to India and Nepal most every year and bring back a huge selection of beach blankets, sarongs, dresses, skirts, purses, hats, jewelry and more to outfit most of us for the summer with vibrant and inexpensive handmade cotton or silk products. Also watch for their friend next door who sells more of the same types of wonderful products.
Nudius Foodius - (Look for a stump with umbrellas & big sign beach north). Yummy Mediterranean fare with Greek salads, humus, rice, souvlaki plates.
Lucy - (Look for stump near Nudius or watch for her lively Peruvian smile wandering the crowds). Homemade sandwiches & empanadas available throughout the day very reasonably priced. She usually leaves early in the day.
Stormin' Norman's Spirit Grill - (Look for the largest food stand & big green parachute beach central). Great burgers including veggie, chicken, beef, wild meat (venison, ostrich, buffalo, alligator, musk ox), smokies, veggie & beef dogs etc. Stack the burger with your favourite raw veggies, sauces, condiments. Pop, juice, water, sarongs, cigarettes, papers, Wreck Beach postcards also sold plus umbrellas rentals. A fixture on the beach for 13 years, he usually is set up to serve lunch & dinner.
Diana & Brad Massage, Healing & First Aid - (Look for big stump beach central with green & blue striped umbrellas & 2 Flintstone style massage tables). Set up most weekends a& occasional weekdays for massage, energy healing & First Aid. In this location 5 years, they accept Cash, Visa, MasterCard & Amex.
Joseph's ResuWreckShine Cafe - (Look for square green parachute beach south). Serving up Montreal style smoked meats including original Reuben style sandwiches as well as caveman-style turkey drumsticks & wings with macaroni, coleslaw & potato salad for a full plate meal. He specializes in desserts & coffee (iced or hot) with the best carrot cake you can imagine. Pop, water & juices available, he tends to dress in everything from Elvis to Zorro for added fun.
Abdul's Sandwiches - (Look for stump with 2 umbrellas beach south near the rocks). Great sandwiches from vegetarian to sliced meat, cheese or tuna plus pop & water. Always the freshest, he shops daily & sells limited amounts so he usually sells out & leaves late afternoon. He is responsible for creating & maintaining many of the beautiful flowerbeds throughout the beach.
Other food and beverage vendors - Many ever changing others walk the beach with a cooler & advertise their wares. Listen for their call & ask them to show you what they have. Most food and drink sells out, so get it while you can.
Lost and Found... Keys 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 WBPS.
More Info: Call Wreck Beach Preservation Society www.wreckbeach.org 604-856-9598
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Map courtesy of www.wreckbeach.org