Comments

Maria from Kelowna writes:

Beautiful beach and park but there needs to be much better signage or patrols for dogs.
The signs are confusing and easily missed.
There were dogs everywhere, with numerous dogs off leash and running on the beach in the no dog area.
Agree with an earlier post about dog poop everywhere.
Absolutely disgusting! The lack of respect on the part of dog owners is also disgusting.
Make the no dogs allowed signs much larger and more prevalent and fine non compliant dog owners with hefty fines.

Posted: January 1, 2024 06:23:51 PM PST

Mhel from Burnaby BC writes:

3 of my friend and I was at Iona park at around 9am
for a good hike but before we start we had pictures at the board area where the name in it but we we’re get disgusted when one of my friends step on freshly big pooop. So she clean it and went ahead with our walk but along the way we found more and more pooop I took pictures of all of them I have 15 pictures of those pooop
We are very sad that people with their pet is not very responsible. It’s a beautiful park but they are ver selfish.
I hope someone do something about it.
Can I send you all the pictures I have?

Posted: October 3, 2023 08:00:29 PM PST

Victoria from Burnaby writes:

Beautiful isolated sandy shoreline you can roam and explore for hours until the sun sets . . . driftwood sculptures and mountains frame the horizon. But recently the algae overgrowth has become unbearable and turned the beach into smelly slimy quicksand at low tide that is dangerous to walk on . . . you can sink to your knees . . . something is very wrong lately not a seagull in sight the birds have disappeared and the water is definitely not safe for swimming!

Posted: May 26, 2023 10:07:04 PM PST

George Loeppky from Richmond, BC writes:

The travel directions to drive to Iona Beach Park are incorrect. As you travel west on McConachie Way, turn right onto Templeton Street, which at the intersection of Grauer Road, Templeton turn into Ferguson Road, which continues all the way to Iona Beach Park.

Posted: July 7, 2022 11:40:52 AM PST

Sue from Golden writes:

A foggy morning, so quiet you could hear the ripple of tiny waves and a distant foghorn across the water. Endless walking, no one in sight, a heron posed on a log protruding from gray sea and grey mist, serene, ethereal, lovely.

Posted: October 6, 2020 02:15:23 PM PST

VanCity_Chic from Vancouver writes:

A beautiful short drive north of the airport to a serene secluded pacific paradise. Go when the tide is out . . . walk along the shoreline as the sun sets . . . watch the planes take off with Mt. Baker in the background . . . best beach in Vancouver!

Posted: May 29, 2019 01:44:33 PM PST

BeachLover from Long Beach, California writes:

Recently discovered this 'secret' beach from some Starbuck's staff at the airport. Having a 6 hour layover between flights, I rented a car and explored both the treatment pipe trail and after lunch the North Beach as stated on the park sign.

I've walked many beaches throughout the world and each one is unique. Iona beach has excessive sea weed on the south side and logs awaiting processing for the lumber yards to the north.

While walking along the beach, I spoke to an older couple walking their dog that told me they've been coming to Iona Beach for at least half a century. Back in the early '60's and '70's being an undeveloped beach, it was a popular alternative to Wreck Beach except for the smell for the nearby sewage plant. They stated that there used to be a sign where the end of bushes or trees are stating 'clothing optional'. It doesn't have the same official recognition as Wreck Beach which is directly to the northwest of Iona Beach.

I continued onward but stopped when I realized it would be a bit dangerous trying to reach the physical end the rock jetty. Consulting the GPS app on my phone, it stated I had walked about 5 kms from the parking lot though indirect as I had journeyed along the beach. I took a break and watched the tugboats tender the raw logs in the river then the various birds seek prey on the other. The entire time I don't think I saw another person and I agree that this would make an ideal clothing optional beach.

Upon my return back to my rental car, I took the alternate route through the little forest of trees and bushes which offered some much needed shade from the sunshine until I returned back to the beach trail. I'll definitely pass the word along to my friends about this beach as an alternative to the 400+ stairs on trail 6 to Wreck Beach!

Posted: July 4, 2016 01:17:31 AM PST

Lone Wolfe from Vancouver writes:

A very nice flat straight walk.

and NO I don't think it should become clothing optional. that would make it a creepy place for females who want to go there alone. plus it's very marshy - not the next Wreck - keep it a quiet place

Posted: June 24, 2016 11:02:37 PM PST

Peaches152 from Ladner, BC writes:

I absolutely ADORE Iona Jetty. The sunsets from this spot are to die for! The trip is 4k each way on the jetty. I have never walked along the beach and trail that this article explains. Next time I go, I'll try that instead.

The first time I walked the sewer jetty, the wind was in the right direction that all the planes were landing and taking off over me. Man, was that ever cool! That, partnered with a dramatic sky and some wind and a bit of rain made the jaunt so so good! I couldn't seem to put my camera away! The comment about it being windy is spot on. I've never been there when it hasn't been windy. It's really quite the thing to notice if you were walking with the wind on the way out, then against it on the way back. It took me a whole 10 mins longer to get back one time, it was that strong. Good for some resistance, I guess? ;)

I use this one for my general walking exercise as I just live on the other side of the Arthur Liang bridge. The upper trail has two parallel cement walkways large enough to fit one person across each and are the easiest to walk on. The rest is gravel. I don't usually see too many people there when I go. And if you make it past the 2k mark, there's even less people out that way.

The gate is closed from 21:00-07:00 every day. I was there around 20:15-20:30 one night, and there was a security guard driving up the lower path, telling people they should probably turn around as the gates were closing soon.

The last time I was there, it was about 07:30, and the tide was out. I'm by no means a bird watcher, but the amount of birds actually made me stop and take some photos. I wished for a better zoom than what I have on the iPhone as the herons and eagles looked like they were all hunting together. There was about 20-30 herons all in a circle in one of the tidal pools, and the eagles weren't too far away, watching closely. Neato, friends! Neato!!

There is a porta-potty at the end of the walk-way in case you need to relieve yourself. There's also a lookout point at the end where you can enjoy the great blue yonder. There are views of UBC and the endowment lands as well as great views of YVR and the aircraft coming in.

There are 2 tiny shelters with benches along the route. If you take pooch with you, be sure to take something for him to drink out of as there is nothing for them. Also, if you are sensitive to the sun, do wear sunscreen and a hat. Don't forget your water. The shelters are about 1.5k apart or so. Ish.

Iona Jetty. One of my fave spots. I've been going there at least 1-2 times per week for the past 2-3 months. The jetty portion certainly isn't a hike, however it is a good walk. I wouldn't recommend wearing anything lighter than a pair of runners as the gravel is quite loose. There is no elevation whatsoever. And sometimes it kinda smells bad. :s lol Who doesn't love a good whiff of sewage in the morning? Wakey Wakey! lol ;)

Instagram: @mybackyard_bc and @peaches_152

Here's a couple photos I've taken in my travels:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BEEHC6SpLjF/?taken-by=peaches_152
https://www.instagram.com/p/BC5hjk7pLvR/?taken-by=peaches_152
https://www.instagram.com/p/BC4N5ZVpLus/?taken-by=peaches_152
https://www.instagram.com/p/BC4LInEJLpS/?taken-by=peaches_152
https://www.instagram.com/p/BC3036JJLqX/?taken-by=peaches_152
https://www.instagram.com/p/BE_ScVuuME-/?taken-by=mybackyard_bc
https://www.instagram.com/p/BE8l2SROMIG/?taken-by=mybackyard_bc
https://www.instagram.com/p/BE7uFPxOMCV/?taken-by=mybackyard_bc

Posted: May 26, 2016 07:47:09 PM PST

EastVanLocal from Vancouver writes:

Growing up in Vancouver, I've visited many beaches and I think Iona Beach's North Jetty will become the new 'Wreck beach' for Vancouver. Its beautiful yet remote enough to allow seclusion from the busy beaches like Wreck or Kits.

Getting to Iona can be achieved by only car, motorcycle or bicycle and there is a gate that closes at sunset to keep that in mind too. Once you arrive, you will first come upon the waste water treatment facility and originating from this location a giant cement and brick enclosed pipe that travels 4kms out into the middle arm of the Fraser river next to Vancouver Airport. People can walk the length of South Jetty pipe and cycling is permitted alongside the path too. At end is a great spot for a picnic along with port-to-potties for relief.

If you want seclusion just like 'Wreck Beach', proceed alongside the beach of the North Jetty. After approximately 2 kms, you should be near the end of the forest or bushes that extends out from the parking lot where you parked. Not as many people explore this far out making it an ideal spot to become one with nature again. The only visitors are the bald eagles and sand pipers. To the northwest of this location is Wreck Beach.

Wouldn't it be ideal to have a new clothing optional beach besides Wreck or Crescent Beach that is still relatively close to downtown but with the peace and solitude unmatched anywhere else? Welcome to this secluded jem.

Posted: May 26, 2016 12:12:56 AM PST

Bill Blair from richmond writes:

It is 5am, daylight,and I can walk into drug infested East Vancouver but i am not
permitted to walk Iona Beach. So i will
watch TV from the protection of my home. Is this the hypocritical mentality under which Canadians seek to be controlled?
I doubt not. Please have the courage to cast aside this protectionist control and paternalistic assertion over the public
basic right to have freedom of movement
to enjoy the outdoors.It is beyond time
for Canadians to rebel against this woosy
control of our God given rights to roam
freely, with responsibility.

Posted: July 10, 2015 06:49:12 AM PST

moonbeam from Richmond writes:

I discovered this trail yesterday. I was out that way intending to walk the jetty, but it was closed. I drove a little farther and saw so many parked cars. So I got out to discover a whole other park that I never knew about. I went west and just kept walking. It's a very interesting walk. It changes every kilometer or so. You can tell that the area used to have more industrial use, so there are remaining remnants from that time. I walked until I thought I probably shouldn't continue. The point gets too narrow. Anyway, when I got home I looked the park up online and discovered I had been walking on mostly private port property. This website suggests that we can walk on the beach along the port property and that you can tell when to go onto the beach because there's a sign. Well, I saw no signs and no clear indications that it was private property. Maybe I missed the sign? I guess I'm just wondering where I should go down to the beach and would I get in trouble if I was walking on the port property. Not a soul out there.

Posted: October 5, 2014 09:17:40 AM PST

Adrian from North Van writes:

ATTENTION DOG OWNERS ! New dog leashing and off-leash rules took effect January 1st 2013.

NOW: Much of the trail described in this posting for Iona Beach Regional Park is now NO DOGS. A small portion still allows on-leash only.

HOWEVER (this is the rare good news for dog owners, courtesy of the Parks Dept) - they have now designated the lower trail on the 4km jetty (which points SW from the park) is now OFF-LEASH (it had previously always been on-leash only).

So.....it is possible to do the full 8km return walk along the jetty with your dog off-leash. I find it a refreshing change from the North Shore walks we do most of the time.

Word of warning though, there's absolutely no shade or fresh water so if you're going on a sunny day be sure to take a bottle of water for your dog(s) as well as you.

Posted: July 10, 2013 10:30:22 PM PST

magichabits from Vancouver writes:

We went out today and walked down the jetty to the end and back. This was the jetty that goes off to the southwest. I believe it is an enormous sewer line.

I thought we were going to the area described on this page, which is the strip of beach that goes off to the northwest. Somehow I got the impression that we were only allowed on the southwest jetty, so we went down that.

Anyway it was a long, long walk - it's about 4 km to the end of the jetty in an unrelentingly straight line. Objects in the distance take so long to reach that it feels like you're swimming there.

Next time we'll try harder to go down the northwest fork.

Posted: August 19, 2012 07:19:22 PM PST

Tranc3r from Vancouver writes:

I've been here with my friend while we were riding our bikes. It was absolutely amazing and feels so isolated. At the end, there's a small little building you can get on and view UBC and an endless sea of water. The planes that come in for landing feel so close as if you can just touch them (you can see their shadows as well). I'm going to be going down there at night one time to check it out with high tide! When I went, the water level was about a few KM away! I felt like going to out to the water line, but decided not to because when the water comes back in, it'll be able to out run me!

Just a note for first timers, you'll see a lot of butterfly-looking animals fly around randomly.

Rocks are super slippery! I tried to go through them and ended up with scraps and blood over my ankles and arm (minor though).

Posted: February 21, 2012 01:37:25 AM PST

Maggie from Burnaby writes:

Iona Beach does provide a beautiful and leisurely walk. It also provides important and increasingly rare habitat for a variety of birds and other wildlife that use the island at various times of the year (ie. migration). Many of these species are not always immediately apparent and are sensitive to disturbance. Dogs must be kept on leash at all times when on the jetty, and can be let loose to run at a nearby off-leash park on Sea Island just east of Iona Beach.

Posted: December 11, 2011 09:43:54 AM PST

Shirley from Richmond writes:

Iona Beach is a nice area for leisure walk. Although it states that dogs must be on leash, a park ranger once told me the area beyond private property is ok to let dogs off leash as long as they don't bother people and under control. 9.9 out of 10, there's no other soul in that area.

Posted: June 4, 2011 08:28:26 PM PST