Iona Beach Regional Park Vancouver
A scenic coastal park near Vancouver, featuring a long jetty, abundant birdlife, and stunning sunset views.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, calmer winds
Iona Beach Regional Park Vancouver
Best Time
Fewer crowds, calmer winds
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A scenic coastal park near Vancouver, featuring a long jetty, abundant birdlife, and stunning sunset views.
"The 4km jetty offers unique ocean views, plane spotting, and a haven for birdwatchers."
🚶♀️ Jetty Walk Prep
The 4km jetty walk is long! Wear comfy shoes and bring water. It can get very windy.
✈️ Plane Spotting Fun
Great views of planes taking off from YVR airport right from the jetty.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Iona Jetty
Extends 4 km into the Strait of Georgia
A long, flat pathway offering stunning ocean views and a unique perspective for plane spotting.
Bird Watching Paradise
Pacific Flyway
Thousands of migratory birds flock here, making it a prime spot for birdwatchers year-round.
Spectacular Sunsets
Western edge of the park
Witness breathtaking sunsets over the water, a perfect way to end your day at the beach.
Planning Your Visit
Beat the Crowds & Wind
Getting There Without a Car
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚶♀️ Jetty Walk Prep
The 4km jetty walk is long! Wear comfy shoes and bring water. It can get very windy.
✈️ Plane Spotting Fun
Great views of planes taking off from YVR airport right from the jetty.
🐦 Bring Binoculars
Essential for birdwatching, especially during migration seasons.
🚗 Parking Tips
Parking can fill up on sunny weekends. Arrive early or be patient for a spot.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚶♀️ Jetty Walk Prep
The 4km jetty walk is long! Wear comfy shoes and bring water. It can get very windy.
✈️ Plane Spotting Fun
Great views of planes taking off from YVR airport right from the jetty.
🐦 Bring Binoculars
Essential for birdwatching, especially during migration seasons.
🚗 Parking Tips
Parking can fill up on sunny weekends. Arrive early or be patient for a spot.
🧺 Pack Your Own Food
There are no food services in the park, so bring snacks and drinks.
🚲 Cycling Route
A popular cycling destination; consider biking if you want to avoid long walks.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise Iona Beach for its stunning natural beauty, especially the long jetty, birdwatching opportunities, and spectacular sunsets. It's a popular spot for walks, cycling, and plane spotting. However, some find the drive and parking challenging on busy days, and the strong winds can be a deterrent for some.
"A great place for a walk or just relaxing there but expecting for the strong wind. It's a good place for bird watching too.
It's not far away from the city. If you love the sun, this is a great place for you. There are no shady spots at all.
I can go there in spring or fall. Summer is too hot even it is windy.
Many people come there for the beautiful sunset too."
wah chi yip
"Great regional park. Gorgeous views, long trail for walking or running. The trail runs 4 km one way, flat no incline. Restrooms are available all along the trail and in the picnic area too.. Lots of parking. Accurate signage to give you directions about park closing time and everything.. Definitely a fun place to spend an evening.. great sunset views is a bonus"
Harman Brar
"its a beautiful place to watch the sunset if you're already around the airport, but the long agonizing drive with its absurdly low speed limits, lack of parking on nice days make it super crowded. there's also the issue of it being REALLY warm in the summer (with a weird smell) and bone chilling in the winter.
only recommend if you are close by or are a professional photographer"
GARGANCHUA ETERNAL
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
You can take a pilot free shuttle bus from Templeton Station, which is a convenient option. Cycling is also very popular, with several routes available. Walking from Templeton Station is possible but a long trek (around 90 minutes one way). +2
Yes, a pilot free shuttle bus service operates from Templeton Station to Iona Beach Regional Park. Check the Metro Vancouver website for the latest schedule and details.
Many cyclists use routes via the Arthur Laing Bridge or the Canada Line bridge. Strava and RideWithGPS can help you find safe paths, especially if you're coming from East Vancouver. +1
The road has a shoulder, but it can be narrow in sections and is next to a busy road. Many find it long and not ideal for walking, preferring to cycle.
There is a large parking lot at the park entrance. However, it can fill up quickly on sunny days and weekends.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, Iona Beach Regional Park is a free-access regional park.
The park typically has daylight hours, but it's best to check the official Metro Vancouver Parks website for specific opening and closing times, as they can vary seasonally.
Yes, Iona Beach Regional Park is dog-friendly. There's even a hose for dogs available.
Restrooms are available along the 4 km jetty trail and in the picnic area.
No advance booking is required for general park entry. However, if you plan a large group event, it's advisable to check with Metro Vancouver Parks.
📸 📸 Photography
The 4 km jetty offers unique perspectives of the ocean, sky, and planes. The beach itself is great for capturing sunsets and the natural landscape.
Absolutely! It's a prime location for bird photography due to its position on the Pacific Flyway. You might also spot sea lions. +1
Golden hour, especially during sunset, provides stunning light. Early mornings can also be beautiful and less crowded.
Yes, the park's proximity to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) makes it an excellent spot for plane spotting and photography.
A wide-angle lens is great for landscapes, while a telephoto lens is ideal for bird and plane photography. A tripod can be useful for low-light sunset shots.
🎫 🚶♀️ Onsite Experience
You can walk or cycle the 4 km jetty, enjoy birdwatching, have a picnic, relax on the beach, and take photos.
The jetty is a flat, 4 km (one way) gravel path. While not strenuous, it can be long and exposed to wind.
Dress in layers as it can be windy, even on sunny days. Comfortable walking or running shoes are recommended for the jetty.
No, the park is quite open with very few shady spots. It can get very warm in the summer.
The Pacific Flyway is a major migratory bird route along the Pacific coast of North America. Iona Beach is a critical stopover point for many species.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
No, there are no food services available within Iona Beach Regional Park. Visitors are advised to bring their own food and drinks.
Yes, Iona Beach Regional Park has picnic areas, and it's a great spot to enjoy a meal outdoors. Remember to pack out all your trash.
Since there are no facilities, bring easy-to-eat snacks, sandwiches, and plenty of water, especially if you plan to walk the full length of the jetty.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Be mindful of the wind, which can be strong, so dress children in layers. While there are no playgrounds directly in the park, the open spaces and beach offer plenty of room for running around. The park is also dog-friendly, making it a good option for families with pets.
🚴 Cyclists
Accessing Iona Beach by bike from various parts of Vancouver is well-documented on cycling forums and apps like Strava. Routes often utilize dedicated bike paths and bridges to ensure a safer journey, especially when approaching the airport area. The park offers a rewarding cycling experience with beautiful scenery and opportunities for plane spotting.
📸 Photographers
+1Sunset photography here is particularly spectacular, with the sun dipping below the horizon over the Strait of Georgia. The proximity to YVR airport also presents opportunities for capturing aircraft against the sky. A telephoto lens for wildlife and planes, and a wide-angle lens for landscapes, would be beneficial.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Exploring the Iona Jetty
+2Be prepared for the elements when venturing onto the jetty. It is largely exposed, meaning it can be very windy, even on otherwise pleasant days. Visitors often recommend wearing layers and bringing a windbreaker. The walk itself is flat and straightforward, making it accessible for most fitness levels, though the 8km round trip can be a significant distance for some.
Many visitors find the jetty a unique experience, describing it as an endless path that leads you further into the ocean. It's a place where you can feel the vastness of the sea and the sky, with the sounds of the wind and the distant hum of aircraft.
A Haven for Birdwatchers
+1During migration seasons (spring and fall), you can spot numerous species of shorebirds, waterfowl, and raptors. Even outside of peak migration, the park is home to resident birds. Bringing binoculars is highly recommended to fully appreciate the avian life. Photographers will find this a rewarding location, with opportunities to capture images of eagles, sandpipers, and many other feathered inhabitants.
The park's unique location, where the Fraser River meets the sea, creates a rich ecosystem that supports this vibrant bird population. It's a place where nature enthusiasts can connect with the natural world and witness the incredible journeys of migratory birds firsthand.
Getting to Iona Beach: Beyond the Car
Cycling is another highly popular method. The park is part of a well-established cycling network in the Lower Mainland. Routes often involve using bike paths along bridges like the Arthur Laing Bridge or the Canada Line bridge, connecting to Ferguson Road. Resources like Strava and RideWithGPS can help plan safe and scenic cycling routes, especially for those coming from East Vancouver.
Walking from Templeton Station is feasible but a considerable undertaking, estimated at around 90 minutes one way. The path is mostly paved but can be narrow and adjacent to busy roads, making cycling a more comfortable option for many.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit