Vancouver • Ocean Beach Safe to Swim
Spanish Banks (West Beach)
Water Quality is Clean & Safe. Bacterial levels are well below federal health guidelines.
💡 Recommendation: Ideal conditions for swimming, paddleboarding, and water recreation.
Latest Laboratory Test
15 CFU/100mL
30-Day Geometric Mean (Threshold: ≤ 200)
Single Sample: 14 CFU (Limit: 400)
Tested on: 2026-08-14
30-Day E. coli Historical Trend
Weekly sampling results & regulatory threshold limits
200 Advisory Limit
| Sample Date | 30-Day Geo Mean | Single Sample | Water Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-18 | 11 CFU | 11 CFU | Safe to Swim |
| 2026-07-25 | 13 CFU | 12 CFU | Safe to Swim |
| 2026-08-01 | 14 CFU | 13 CFU | Safe to Swim |
| 2026-08-08 | 15 CFU | 14 CFU | Safe to Swim |
| 2026-08-14 | 15 CFU | 14 CFU | Safe to Swim |
Beach Amenities & Details
Designated quiet beach zone with massive low-tide sandflats and dedicated off-leash dog area.
🐾 Dog-Friendly / Off-Leash
Yes
🏊 Lifeguards On Duty
Seasonal (May–Sept)
♿ Wheelchair Access Mat
Accessible Mat Installed
🚻 Public Washrooms & Showers
Available
Great For:
Tide pool exploration Off-leash dogs Quiet relaxation Kiteboarding
📍
Getting to Spanish Banks (West Beach)
Transit connections, parking access, and GPS coordinates
🚌 Public Transit
Bus #4 or #84 connecting to UBC exchanges.
🚗 Parking & Access
Free city parking lots along NW Marine Drive.
🗺️ Navigation
49.2780° N, 123.2216° W
Nearby Clean Safe Beaches
Verified safe waters within quick travel distance
ℹ️
How Safety Status is Decided
Vancouver Coastal Health & Health Canada E. coli standards
Safe to Swim (Green)
≤ 200 geometric mean
≤ 235 single sample.
Caution (Yellow)
Single sample 235 – 400.
Beach Action Value triggered.
Advisory (Red)
Geometric mean > 200
or single sample > 400.
Unmonitored (Gray)
Off-season or no sample within 14 days.
Recreational season: May–Sept.