Second Beach, Beach in Stanley Park, Vancouver, Canada

Second Beach sits on the Burrard Bay shoreline of Stanley Park in Vancouver, British Columbia, where a sandy beach meets the water. A public outdoor pool, first completed in 1932, stands beside the beach and remains its built feature.

The site received major development in 1932 with the construction of a heated outdoor pool that transformed it into a modern bathing destination. This expansion marked the beginning of its current use as a popular recreational venue.

Second Beach takes its name from its position as the second beach along the Stanley Park shoreline, and the pool completed in 1932 remains the centre of warm-weather bathing here. Bathers use the Burrard Bay waterfront beside the pool, and the surrounding lawns and picnic areas serve families and park visitors.

The heated outdoor pool operates seasonally from May through September with lifeguard supervision on duty. Visitors should check current hours before arriving and plan parking accordingly, as peak times draw large crowds.

The shoreline offers unexpected views of the opposite coastline with its dense forests and mountain silhouettes that create a world apart from the surrounding city. This perspective from the water makes the spot feel like an escape even for those who live nearby.