By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Icy Canada
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Canada Immigration
  • Canadian Cities
  • Entertainment
  • Destinations
  • Education
  • International Visas
Reading: Whytecliff Park – 6 Awesome Things To Do!
Share
Notification Show More
Reading List
top country songs 2016
Canada Top Country Songs 2016: The Best Top 10
December 3, 2022
Tips on Surviving a Brutal Canadian Winter 1
Tips on Surviving a Brutal Canadian Winter
December 31, 2020
Vancouver's World Famous Celebration Of Light.- events in canada
Latest Canada Immigration News 2020
November 10, 2020
Canadian Tourists Decreasing in the US 2
Canadian Tourists Decreasing in the US
January 20, 2020
Can You Bring Your Spouse While Studying Abroad? 3
Can You Bring Your Spouse While Studying Abroad?
December 21, 2018
Latest News
how to become a certified personal trainer
How To Become A Certified Personal Trainer:- 4 Steps To Know!
February 4, 2023
bay of fundy
Bay of Fundy-16 Amazing Things to Do in the Bay of Fundy
February 3, 2023
indian buffet vancouver
Largest Indian Buffet Vancouver: 6 Important Things to Know
February 2, 2023
business in Ontario
How to Start a Business in Ontario: 10 Important Steps You Must Know
February 2, 2023
Customer intelligence.
From Data To Insights: How Customer Intelligence Is Revolutionizing Marketing & Sales
February 1, 2023
Aa
Icy Canada
Aa
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Privacy Page
  • Terms & conditions
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Canada Immigration
  • Canadian Cities
  • Entertainment
  • Destinations
  • Education
  • International Visas
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Complaint
  • Advertise
© 2022 Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.
- Advertisement -
Ad image
Icy Canada > Blog > Destinations > Whytecliff Park – 6 Awesome Things To Do!
Destinations

Whytecliff Park – 6 Awesome Things To Do!

Aamna Bhalla
Aamna BhallaAugust 29, 2020
Updated 2022/12/26 at 6:00 AM
Share
Whytecliff Park - 6 Awesome Things To Do! 4
Photo by edb3_16 from Depositphotos
SHARE

Situated near the Horseshoe Bay neighbourhood in West Vancouver, the Whytecliff Park opened in 1909.

The park was initially known as Rockcliffe Park and is home to around 200 species of marine animals. It is also the First Marine Protected Area in the country.

Whytecliff Park is full of scenic beauty, ranging from mountains and passing boats to fantastic hiking trails to explore the island and the beach area and scuba diving in an area that is also popular for diving underwater.

Contents
Directions to Reach Whytecliff ParkHistory of Whytecliff Park6 Awesome Things To Do At Whytecliff Park1. Diving2. Hiking3. Swimming4. Scuba Diving5. Outdoor Sports6. CafeAdditional Information

Directions to Reach Whytecliff Park

The park is accessible by both transit or by car, and is situated a little away, reached through a residential area. However, it is worth the effort, and you will have a fabulous time there.

Once you are already driving from Downtown Vancouver, follow the directions below:

  1. Take the West Georgia Street and then cross the Lions Gate Bridge.
  2. Move towards West Vancouver and take Marine Drive.
  3. At Taylor Way, turn right and then exit onto Highway 1 in the west.
  4. Take another exit for Eagleridge Drive, follow the road and take a left onto Marine Drive after an overpass.
  5. Finally, after a roundabout, move through the residential area to reach the park.You can also pay a visit to Lighthouse Park. It is a quick 20-minute drive from Whytecliffe.

History of Whytecliff Park

Whytecliff Park
Photo by Brayden Law on Unsplash

Whytecliff Park is located near West Vancouver and spans an area of 15.63 hectares. It was established in 1909 and was then the White Cliff City.

In 1914, Colonel Albert Whyte requested changing its name to Whytecliff. In 1926, the park was developed by W.W. Boutlbee and was known as Rockcliffe Park.

The Union Steamship Company purchased the Boultbee estate spanning 50 acres in 1939. Between 1939-1941 and 1946-1952, the shipping company operated Bowen Island Ferry from the park.

The ocean surrounding the park became the first saltwater Marine Protected Area in 1993.

Marine Protected Areas were established to protect the ecologically vital areas of rivers, ocean and lakes, and the waters’ habitat, species, and ecosystem.

Whytecliff Park was the first Marine Protected Area of Canada. Because of this exceptional protection, marine life has flourished, making it a popular location for diving and a safe place for the 200 marine animal species.

In addition to this, Whytecliff Park has an interesting history. 

6 Awesome Things To Do At Whytecliff Park

Here is a detailed description of six things you can do at Whytecliff Park.

1. Diving

Whytecliff Park
Photo by Kelen Loewen on Unsplash

Whytecliff Park is famous for its opportunities for cold water diving and provides water diving at all levels ranging from classes for beginners at the inner cove area to the advanced ones in Queen Charlotte Channel.

You will get to see fish, dolphins, octopuses, orcas, squid, and beautiful coral life in the wildlife.

Between April and October, the cold water is clean, and you can also get yourself lessons, rentals, and tours arranged by the dive shops.

An important thing to note is that you should be well aware of all the restrictions as you are in a Marine Protected Area.

You are expected to respect the wildlife, and the dive shops are always there to assist you if you need them. The classes for beginners generally take place at the beach. There is not much sea life to view here due to the silty water and traffic.

However, you may view some wildlife in the area east and west of the main beach. The areas are just a five-minute swim away from the beach and are 15 feet deep.

More advanced divers can explore a vertical dive wall and sloping reefs, which are to the north of the main beach.

2. Hiking

Go for a short hike around Whytecliff Park, where you can enjoy watching the wildlife. If you wish to find a lot of trails, head to the northwest corner of the gravel overflow parking or near Batchelor bay.

When there are low tides, it is possible for you to safely make your way across the rocks to the Whyte Island’s bluffs. However, it would help if you were careful not to be stuck out there.

Whytecliff Park - 6 Awesome Things To Do! 5
Photo by inacioluc from Depositphotos

You may also be able to spot a few resident orcas in the summer season or the sea lions in the ocean basking on rocks depending on the time of the year you visit the place.

3. Swimming

In the warm summer months, swimming is a preferred pastime. The pebbly sand beach is also sunny throughout the daytime. The water is not warmed up and is clean enough for swimming, which is a plus point.

It is, however, advised that before you go swimming, you should always check the local news websites, signboards of the park, or other such sources suggesting any warnings related to the area.

4. Scuba Diving

Whytecliff Park
Photo by Todd Quackenbush on Unsplash

It is a fantastic sport not just for experienced divers but for beginners too.

One can surely expect to spot crab, sculpin, rockfish, lingcod, harbour seal, occasional wolf eel, giant octopus, and starfish in this Saltwater area, which is also a Marine Protected Area.

5. Outdoor Sports

Whytecliff Park is a perfect place to get together with your family and friends to enjoy some outdoor activities. There are two tennis courts in the play area to show your skills. The courts function on a first-come, first-serve basis.

There is also a large grass field to play a badminton game for tossing around a frisbee. Kids can enjoy themselves on the playground and go for some quick fun.

6. Cafe

You can have lunch at Whytecliff Park’s cafe or go there to relax. There are a variety of snacks at the restaurant to hog on, including delicious homemade ones, burgers, ice-creams, smoked meat sandwiches, and healthy sides.

Additional Information

Whytecliff Park - 6 Awesome Things To Do! 6
Photo by Nature Uninterrupted Photography on Unsplash

A. Public Washrooms

The public locations are located at different spots in the lower section of the park. One of them is at the far end of the main parking stand, and the other is located near a paved pathway next to the beach.

There are no washrooms located in the upper section of the park.

B. Dogs

In most areas of Whytecliff Park, dogs are permitted with certain restrictions. Dogs should be leashed at all times, and the dog droppings should be picked up and disposed of by the respective owners.

There are only a few spots in the park which have signs indicating that dogs are not allowed.

C. Hiking Route

The best views of Whytecliff Park are near the beach and the cliffs area. When you walk up to the pavement from the parking area, you will come across a grassy area on your left.

You will then see a gravel path that further leads to an elevated area at the end of the pavement. You will now be able to view Bowen Island and Howe Sound.

You can sit down on the park benches there and see the B.C. Ferries at the Horseshoe Bay or enjoy the beautiful view of the ocean. The cliff there is a fence off and has a steep drop-off.

It would be best if you now headed south along the rocky and narrow trail. You will come across some more picnic benches before you finally reach the concrete steps.

There are several viewpoints and paths so that you can move at your own pace through the rocks. You will get some fantastic views of the rugged coastline further South after a few moments in the Strait of Georgia.

Enjoy the beauty, but also make sure you do not get too close to the edge of a rocky cliff. You can even walk into the cave during low tide and enjoy a different perspective from the tiny beach.

When you come out of the cove and are back on the trail towards the main beach, you will come across Whyte Islet and an open and large overlook.

Relish the view from the high point and come down the stone steps to the beach when you are ready. The rocks may be a little slippery in wet weather, so one needs to be careful.

Carry along the coast a bit further to get a better view of Whyte Islet, which is an excellent spot for clicking yourself, especially during high tides.

If you decide to climb Whyte Islet, make sure you keep a check on the tide, as it would not be cool to get stuck there.

The initial climb on Whyte Island is steep, so it can get difficult for you if the rocks are wet. There is a beautiful view of houses in Gleneagles above the water.

You can take a short walk to the Whyte Islet in the northern end to enjoy the captivating scenery before moving back to the beach and then up the path towards the parking area.

If you wish to keep walking, you will find a few short trails near the upper parking lot that explore the park’s northern section. You can also refer to the trail map.

Want to explore more places in Vancouver?

In all, Whytecliff Park is a fantastic place to explore with your family and friends. What aspect of the park did you like the most? Please share it with us in the comment section below!

5 Mesmerizing Scuba Diving Sites In Canada
Icy Canada
Aamna Bhalla August 29, 2020
Share this Article
Facebook TwitterEmail Print
Previous Article Skydiving in Vancouver? - 5 Things You Should Know! 7 Skydiving in Vancouver? – 5 Things You Should Know!
Next Article Jacques Cartier - The Greatest Voyager Of 1500s! 8 Jacques Cartier – The Greatest Voyager Of 1500s!
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Stay Connected

Facebook Like
Twitter Follow
Pinterest Pin

Latest News

camping checklist
101 Camping Checklist: Ultimate Guide to All Essentials
Featured
Calgary movers.
Top 7 Calgary Movers – Find the Best Calgary Moving Companies
Featured

You Might Also Like

Best Pubs in Richmond
International

Best Pubs in Richmond – 12 Pubs to Consider

January 31, 2023
CN Tower Edge Walk
Destinations

CN Tower Edge Walk Experiences and 5 Interesting Things That You Should Know

January 25, 2023
St Pierre and Miquelon
CanadaDestinations

St Pierre and Miquelon: 19 Amazing Things That You Must Do

January 5, 2023
waterfalls in Ontario
CanadaDestinations

18 Amazing Waterfalls in Ontario: Which are Worth Exploring!

January 2, 2023
//

Icycanada.com your home to Canadian life, the outdoors, events, immigration news, and more.

Icy Canada

3-11860 River Rd, V3V 2V7,

Surrey, BC, Canada

+17789512734

Have questions? Reach out to us at team@icytales.com

Disclosure Statement

We are reader-supported. And we review products independently. When you do buy a product after clicking on a link, we may earn a small commission. That doesn’t mean you will pay more. No, because our commission is independent of what you would pay otherwise. It’s what helps us keep small businesses like us alive.

© 2022 Icy Canada. All Rights Reserved.

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Privacy Page
  • Terms & conditions

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

RegisterLost your password?