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YEAR-ROUND ACCESS

Iona Beach Regional Park

“A 126-hectare Metro Vancouver regional park at the mouth ...”

Status YEAR-ROUND ACCESS
Area Richmond, BC V6N 4A6
Category Outdoor · Water
Richmond, BC V6N 4A6
01

About

A 126-hectare Metro Vancouver regional park at the mouth of the Fraser River — one of BC's premier birdwatching destinations with 300+ species, a spectacular 4 km South Jetty walk, sandy beach, off-leash dog areas, and free admission.

  • 4 km Iona Jettytwin gravel trails (upper for walking, lower for cycling) built atop wastewater outfall pipe

  • North and South settling pondspremier birding habitat with 286+ species

  • Iona Island Bird Observatory (IIBO)BC's only dual-season migration monitoring station

  • Fraser River estuary ecosystemsand dunes, marshes, intertidal mudflats

02

Water & Swimming

⚠️ Swim Advisory Active — check signage at the beach before entering the water.

Water Type

Ocean

Beach Type

Sandy

03

Best Suited For

The Crowd

  • 🔹Nature Enthusiasts
  • 🔹Cyclists
  • 📷Photographers
  • 🔹Joggers

The Occasion

  • 🔹Scenic Cycling
  • 🌇Sunset Watching
  • 🔹Long Meditative Walk
04

Beach Info

⚠️ Swim Advisory Active — check signage at the beach before entering the water.

Park Type

Regional

Managed By

Metro Vancouver Regional Parks

Size

126 hectares

05

Amenities

Parking
Washrooms
Picnic Tables
Trails

Not Available

✕ Wheelchair Accessible✕ Playground
06

Beach Rules

🐕Dogs
On Leash
🔥Fires
Not Allowed
🚴Bikes
Allowed
07

What to Bring & Insider Tips

Insider Tips

  • 💡

    Check the gate closure time on arrival — the park gate locks at closing (winter 5 PM, summer 9–10 PM).

  • 💡

    Bring binoculars — this is one of the top birding sites in North America, even casual visitors will see herons, hawks, and eagles.

  • 💡

    Dress for wind — the jetty is extremely exposed with zero shelter on the outer half of the 4 km walk.

  • 💡

    Time your visit with the tides — low tide exposes feeding shorebirds on the intertidal flats.

  • 💡

    Dogs must be leashed and are NOT permitted in marsh areas, on intertidal flats, or on the lower jetty road.

  • 💡

    Swimming is not recommended — proximity to wastewater treatment outfall and strong tidal currents.

What to Bring

🎒Binoculars (essential for birding)
🎒Wind-proof layers (jetty is very exposed)
🎒Camera with zoom lens
🎒Water and snacks (no concessions in park)
🎒Sunscreen and hat
08

Location

09

Getting Here

900 Ferguson Rd, Richmond, BC V6N 4A6

🚇 Transit

Due to its location on Iona Island, Iona Beach Regional Park is not easily accessible by public transit. There are no TransLink bus routes directly serving the park. The nearest SkyTrain station would require a lengthy walk or a further bus connection from other parts of Richmond.

🚗 Parking

A large dedicated parking lot is available near the park entrance, which is free to use. While generally ample, this lot can fill up quickly on sunny weekends, so arriving earlier in the day is recommended to secure a spot.

Get directions

Details sourced from Google, venue websites, Instagram, and public data. Vibes, highlights, and recommendations reflect our editorial perspective.

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