Spanish Banks

Spanish Banks is a public beach in Vancouver with three distinct sections along Northwest Marine Drive, featuring sand areas and grassy spaces bordering English Bay. These sections provide diverse spaces for swimming, picnicking, and recreation throughout the year.

The name comes from 1859 when Captain Richards of HMS Plumper chose it to commemorate the 1792 encounter between English and Spanish explorers in the area. This naming reflects the cross-cultural exploration that shaped the region's early history.

Volleyball is deeply woven into the beach culture here, with courts set up regularly throughout the eastern section for both casual games and organized tournaments. Visitors will see players gathering on the sand year-round, making it a focal point for this sport in the city.

Certified lifeguards monitor the water during summer months, while parking is readily available near different sections for easy beach access. Planning a visit around tide times can greatly enhance your experience, as conditions change significantly throughout the day.

At low tide, the water recedes dramatically to reveal vast sand flats that stretch far from the shoreline. This daily transformation creates a completely different beach experience and opens up new areas for walking and exploring throughout the day.