Sight guide · Vancouver · Canada
Visiting Stanley Park and the seawall
This 400-hectare peninsula of rainforest, beaches and gardens is circled by a seawall path of about 9 km used by walkers, runners and cyclists.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0
Quick answer
Stanley Park and the seawall is a park in Stanley Park, Vancouver. Allow half a day; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Park
- Area
- Stanley Park
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- free, outdoors, kids and nature
- Best months
- July–September
About Stanley Park and the seawall
This 400-hectare peninsula of rainforest, beaches and gardens is circled by a seawall path of about 9 km used by walkers, runners and cyclists. Stops include the totem poles at Brockton Point, Siwash Rock, the Prospect Point lookout under the Lions Gate Bridge and Second and Third beaches on the western shore.
Tip: Rent a bike on Denman Street and ride the seawall counter-clockwise, the required direction for cyclists, allowing about an hour plus stops.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: Half a day.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Stanley Park.
Best time to visit Stanley Park and the seawall
Stanley Park and the seawall is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- July: 22°C (72°F) highs, about 5 rainy days, very busy crowds.
- August: 22°C (72°F) highs, about 5 rainy days, very busy crowds.
- September: 19°C (66°F) highs, about 7 rainy days, busy crowds.
When to visit Vancouver has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Vancouver itinerary visits Stanley Park and the seawall on day 1, together with Vancouver Aquarium, Granville Island and Gastown and the steam clock.
- No. 1 of the 20 sights in our Vancouver things-to-do list.
- Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 4-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 5-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 7-day plan.
- Listed in free things to do in Vancouver.
- One of the picks in outdoors in Vancouver.
- A family favourite in Vancouver with kids.
Near Stanley Park and the seawall
Also in Stanley Park, so you can walk between them:
- Vancouver Aquarium — 2–3 hours, mid-priced
If you like Stanley Park and the seawall
- Granville Island — Granville Island, Half a day
- Capilano Suspension Bridge Park — North Vancouver, 2 hours
- Lynn Canyon Park — North Vancouver, 1.5–2 hours
- Grouse Mountain — North Vancouver, Half a day
Staying near Stanley Park and the seawall
Where to stay in Vancouver compares every area by price and who it suits.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Stanley Park and the seawall?
Plan half a day. With Vancouver Aquarium nearby, it fits a half-day in Stanley Park.
+Is Stanley Park and the seawall free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Stanley Park and the seawall?
July–September for the most comfortable weather. Rent a bike on Denman Street and ride the seawall counter-clockwise, the required direction for cyclists, allowing about an hour plus stops.
+Do I need to book Stanley Park and the seawall in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Stanley Park and the seawall good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Vancouver. Vancouver works well for families: beaches, Stanley Park, the aquarium and Science World are close together, the North Shore adds suspension bridges and mountain gondolas, and indoor options cover rainy days.