Whytecliff Park

Only a short distance from Vancouver's core, at the edge of the magnificent Howe Sound is Whytecliff Park. It's a perfect spot for a day trip when you're looking to escape the city. The park is well equipped with playgrounds, a tennis court, and some of the nicest washrooms you'll see in a public building. Its main draw is its unique beachfront and a small island. The main attraction is Whyte Islet, a granite island sitting in the bay connected to the mainland by a causeway of stones. This eye-catching feature makes it the darling of local Instagram culture, especially in summer evenings when the light is excellent.

The islet itself is fairly obvious to get to. A path of large rocks leads out to the island. A well-worn path on steep, rough granite runs up the spine to the top. For tide pools and smaller marine life, stick to the shoreline. A couple of trees dot the rock, but the main highlight is the wildlife. You get an excellent vantage point to observe the seals that live in the area and the seasonal sea lions that tend to hang out. Orcas frequently visit the area as well. It's worth checking tides as people do get frequently stranded out on the island when the tides come in and cover the causeway.  

This is an excellent spot to launch boats and paddleboards, but the access to the beach is a bit tricky with stairs and narrower pathways. Some finesse will be required, and a double kayak could be hard to get into the water here. But once on the water, you will have a great view of the island and the beach. Watch out for traffic and frequent big wakes as Horseshoe Bay Marina and Ferry Terminal are just around the corner.