7 Things To Do at Boundary Bay Regional Park

Sand Dunes. Photo: Boundary Bay Regional Park

Boundary Bay Regional Park in Tsawwassen is a great summer destination. This ocean-front park has a sandy beach, hiking trails, bike paths, bird watching, and lots more.

How to Get to Boundary Bay Regional Park

From Vancouver, take Highway 99 south through Richmond. On the other side of the Massey Tunnel, take exit 28 onto Highway 17A. About 5 km later merge onto Highway 17. At the traffic light, turn left onto 56 Street. Two kilometres later, turn left onto 12 Avenue. Follow 12 Avenue as it goes around a curve and becomes Boundary Bay Road. Turn left into the park a few minutes later. There are two large parking lots at the end of the road.

You can also get to Boundary Bay Regional Park on public transit. The 601 bus from Bridgeport Station stops on Boundary Bay Road just outside the park. From there you can walk 0.5 km along the access road into the park.

Tips for Visiting

• Visit the park website and use the park map to plan your trip.
• The park can get busy on summer weekends. Go early to make sure you get a parking spot.
• Dogs must be on-leash and are not permitted on the beach or in the wildlife reserve areas of the park.
• Smoking, vaping, cannabis, drones, alcohol, and collecting plants are not allowed.
• There are washrooms at Centennial Beach.
• Be safe in the park. AdventureSmart recommends bringing a backpack with essential safety and first aid gear on every hike. Check the forecast and pack extra clothing for the weather. Leave a trip plan so someone knows where you are going and when you will be back.

Hit the Beach

Centennial Beach is a popular destination for families. The sandy beach has shallow water that’s perfect for splashing and playing.

Centennial Beach. Photo: Boundary Bay Regional Park

Enjoy the Playground

The large playground behind the north end of the beach is wheelchair accessible, providing play opportunities for kids of all abilities.

Go for a Hike

The park is home to several easy hiking trails. Follow the short Dune Trail Loop Trail past several interpretive signs to learn about the sensitive dune habitat. Or wander through old fields along the Savannah and Raptor Trails. Both are great places to watch for hawks and other birds of prey. The 12 Ave Dyke Trail leaves from the Centennial Beach parking area and features several viewpoints over Boundary Bay.

Photo: Andy Liu/All Trails

Have a Picnic

Spread your blanket on the sand at Centennial Beach or one of the nearby picnic tables. If you didn’t bring your own food, grab some at the beach concession stand.

Take a Bike Ride

The Dyke Trail stretches along the north shore of Boundary Bay for 17 kilometres between 17A Avenue and Mud Bay Park. The wide gravel path is a great destination for a bike ride. Parking areas and trailheads are located on 64 Street, 72 Street, 104 Street, and at Mud Bay Park.

Photo: Gabriella Por/All Trails

Fly a Kite

Centennial Beach is one of the best places to fly a kite in Vancouver. When the tide is out, you can stroll along the sandy flats and catch the wind blowing across Boundary Bay.

Go Bird Watching

The tidal flats in Boundary Bay are home to lots of waterfowl and shorebirds, which you can spot from the Dyke Trail. For a shorter outing, follow the Raptor Trail through old fields. If you watch carefully, you may spot owls and hawks hunting.

Great blue heron. Photo: Boundary Bay Regional Park