It lies northwest of Port Moody and immediately east of the Deep Cove area of North Vancouver, across the waters of Indian Arm.

Isolated by geography on a narrow peninsula, Belcarra is accessible by a single winding paved road or by water.

This is a result of small land area, relative inaccessibility, and zoning for single family residential homes.

William Norman Bole, a successful criminal lawyer and later a judge in New Westminster, was an immigrant from Ireland in the 19th century.

[7] Belcarra was a traditional camping area for the Tsleil-Waututh, the First Nations people whose territory it is in.

Its beach and exposed westerly view give it a fine outlook and afternoon sun.

The site at Belcarra was pre-empted early by European settlers, who were involved in a murder in 1882.

In turn, the land was deeded to the defending solicitor, William Norman Bole, who named the place Belcarra.

In addition, Coquitlam Search and Rescue is responsible for urban and wilderness search and rescue for the area between Indian Arm and Pitt Lake, and encompasses the local communities of Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Belcarra and Anmore.

As part of Metro Vancouver, Belcarra is served by the TransLink public transit system, and is on bus route 182.