Vancouver Spanish Banks General Information

To commemorate the discovery of the Spanish explorers in 1972, the British named this particular shore, Spanish Banks. It was known simply as Pookcha by the Native Americans meaning 'the back of the rising whale', Spanish Banks is now a wonderful retreat for those who wish to escape from the hard pace of city life.

The beaches are blessed with long, wide sandy stretch of land. If you go during low tide, you could almost imagine reaching the middle of the bay. Going out west, the beach narrows into a rocky swath which is barely visible during the high tide.

Look out for a large concrete anchor which celebrates the Spanish explorer, Jose Maria Narvaez, one of the first European explorers to chart the Vancouver waters. This happened in the year 1791. Beyond this historical spot, you can see the rolling hills of the Spanish Banks touching the Pacific Spirit Park and continues around Point Grey. There are numerous parking lots, picnic tables, concession stands and washrooms. To fully enjoy the beach, you should follow the gravel path along the shores for about 5km. Walking in a westward direction, you will find the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountains against the backdrop of the northern shores. Returning eastward, you will see the urban skyline of Vancouver arranged at the foot of the English Bay.

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