Click before you dip.
Looking for somewhere to cool off in or near Vancouver? We have a comprehensive list with a map of all the places to do that.
But first, you should take a look at all the places with water advisories, where swimming isn’t recommended.
Vancouver Coastal Health maintains a map of beaches that are not safe for swimming due to the presence of E. coli, a bacterium commonly found in the intestinal tract of animals and humans. The health authority monitors water quality at popular swimming spots in the city, as well as the North Shore and Sea to Sky Corridor.
High counts of E. coli in recreational water increases the chances of gastrointestinal and upper respiratory illnesses, as well as skin and eye infections.
When a beach has a geometric mean of greater than 200 E. coli/100ml or two consecutive single samples over 400 E. coli/100ml, a “not suitable for swimming” advisory is issued. A beach action value investigation is triggered at when a single sample of 235 E. coli/100 mL, or higher is detected.
Several top beaches have advisories posted on Monday, June 22, the expected hottest day of the week.
Vancouver beach water quality
The following beaches are not suitable for swimming.
Locarno
Kitsilano Point
Sunset Beach
English Bay
The following beaches are undergoing a beach action value investigation.