Spanish Banks

Spanish Banks are a series of beaches in the city of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, located along the shores of English Bay in the West Point Grey neighbourhood.

Spanish Banks is located between Locarno Beach to the east and the grounds of the University of British Columbia to the west.

Although the first European explorers in the Strait of Georgia were the Spaniards Juan Carrasco and José María Narváez, who sighted Point Grey in 1791, the Spanish Banks were named in commemoration of the meeting of the English under George Vancouver and the Spanish under Galiano and Valdés in June 1792.

These beaches are backed by grassy fields, which make them popular for walks, family gatherings, picnics, soccer and volleyball games.

Like Spanish Bank East, this beach has eight volleyball courts, life guards on site in summer and a concession stand.

A view of English Bay and Downtown Vancouver from one of the Spanish Banks beaches.
The North Shore over an exceptionally low spring tide.
A kitesurfer passes two skimboarders during an early season low tide on the Spanish Banks. Mountains in the background are on the west side of Howe Sound .
Lifeguard at work Spanish Banks Beach