All Metro Vancouver Ocean Beaches Open for Swimming
Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health cleared Locarno and Kits Point Hadden beaches; only two inland lakes remain closed due to E. coli levels.
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All ocean-front beaches in Metro Vancouver are now suitable for swimming, according to Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health, after recent water quality reviews cleared Locarno Beach and Kits Point Hadden Beach.
Both health authorities regularly test beach water based on E. coli concentration and other bacteria levels. The recommended safe threshold for E. coli is below 200 per 100 millilitres. Kits and Spanish Banks currently show concentrations of below 10 and 90 per 100 mL respectively, while Sunset Beach near Vancouver's West End — one of the highest readings among city beaches — shows 199 per 100 mL.
Ambleside Beach in West Vancouver ranges between 10 and 199 per 100 mL. Centennial Beach in Tsawwassen, Crescent Beach in South Surrey, and White Rock Beach all record 10 per 100 mL.
Vancouver Coastal Health monitors beaches from Vancouver, Deep Cove, and West Vancouver through Lions Bay, Bowen Island, and Gibsons. Fraser Health covers Delta, Surrey, White Rock, Port Moody, Belcarra, and several inland lakes including Buntzen Lake and Alouette Lake.
The only water currently unsuitable for swimming is Trout Lake and Deep Bay on Bowen Island, both showing E. coli concentrations above recommended levels. Exposure to water contaminated with high levels of E. coli can cause vomiting, infections, and diarrhea.