About Centennial Beach
Centennial Beach is the main day-use beach of Boundary Bay Regional Park, a wide stretch of sand bordered by salt marsh and tidal lagoons at the edge of Tsawwassen. Compared with beaches closer to downtown Vancouver, Centennial Beach draws a lighter crowd, and the section a short walk west of the parking lot and concession area tends to be quieter still. The beach backs onto grassy dunes rather than a boardwalk or promenade, giving the whole stretch a more open, undeveloped feel than most Lower Mainland waterfronts.
Swimming and the Tidal Flats
Swimming is permitted at Centennial Beach, but there is no lifeguard on duty and visitors are on their own for water safety. The water warms up noticeably as the tide pulls back, exposing wide mudflats and shallow pools that make for some of the mildest swimming conditions in the region. Those same flats can hide extremely soft, sinking sand once exposed at low tide, so it is worth watching footing while wandering out. Metro Vancouver and Fraser Health test the water for E. coli from May through September and post the results; checking current advisories, and avoiding a swim for about 48 hours after heavy rain, is worth doing before wading in.
Picnic Tables, Playground and Concession
A cluster of picnic tables and two covered shelters, each large enough to seat about 75 people, sit close to the parking area for group gatherings. The Lions Playground for Children of All Abilities gives younger visitors a barrier-free play space just steps from the sand, and a seasonal concession stand nearby sells food and drinks through the warmer months. Washrooms and change rooms at the beach are wheelchair accessible, making it straightforward to spend a full day here without needing to leave for basic facilities.
Visiting Beyond Summer
Centennial Beach changes character once the crowds thin out after Labour Day. Low winter tides pull back even further, leaving broad expanses of exposed flats under grey skies, and the beach becomes a place for a brisk walk rather than a swim. Wintering raptors patrol the fields behind the dunes, and the mostly empty parking lot makes it easy to find a quiet stretch of sand even on a weekend. Waterproof footwear is worth packing, since the wet sand and standing pools do not dry out the way they do in summer.
Views of Mount Baker and the International Boundary
On clear days, the view south across the water reaches Mount Baker’s snow-capped peak, one of the more distinctive sightlines from any Metro Vancouver beach. Centennial Beach also sits close enough to the international boundary that the 49th parallel crosses Boundary Bay itself just offshore, with the beach on the American side of the line, known locally as Maple Beach, visible continuing south along the same shoreline. It is a reminder of how narrow this stretch of coastline is, with two countries sharing one uninterrupted beach.
Ten minutes past the parking lot, the crowd thins out, the tide pulls back, and Centennial Beach turns into open sand and salt marsh with shorebirds for company.
No. Metro Vancouver does not staff Centennial Beach with lifeguards, and swimming is at each visitor’s own risk year-round.
Water quality is tested for E. coli from May through September, with results posted through Fraser Health. It is worth checking current advisories before swimming, and avoiding the water for about 48 hours after heavy rainfall.
Fires are only allowed in the designated fire rings at Centennial Beach, and temporary restrictions can apply during hot or dry weather.
Crabbing is allowed with a valid tidal fishing licence, and undersized or female crabs must be returned to the water. Clam and other mollusk harvesting is not permitted anywhere in Boundary Bay.
Washrooms and change rooms at Centennial Beach are wheelchair accessible, and the nearby Lions Playground for Children of All Abilities is a barrier-free play space.
Centennial Beach is the main day-use beach within the larger Boundary Bay Regional Park, which also includes the Dune, Savannah, Raptor, and Dyke trails along with Cammidge House. See the full park guide for trail details and directions.
Centennial Beach is one part of a bigger park. Read the full Boundary Bay Regional Park guide for trail distances, Cammidge House, and birdwatching details, or browse the Attractions guide for more places to visit nearby.