Wreck Beach Vancouver

I dipped my feet into the ice cold waters and wrote my name on the dark grey sand – I was on Wreck Beach Vancouver. A naturally-sculpted bay so beautifully carved into the landscapes of British Columbia, I could hardly believe that this was real and not something that I had created out of my own imagination.

It was a clear summer day, when eagles and herons glided above our heads and the cumulus clouds gathered like clusters of marshmallows in the sky. I could see a kingfisher in the distance, seemingly waiting to catch its prey. On land, parrots and magpies were swooping above the dense forest, almost as if they were monitoring their territory.

But these exotic birds were not the only thing that drew me to Wreck Beach Vancouver. I had come to experience Canada’s largest clothing-optional beach and get a sense of the beach vibes here.

The sprawling beach stretches over 7.8 kilometers, starting from Acadia Beach all the way to the Booming Grounds Creek on the northern branch of Fraser River – but only Wreck Beach proper claims fame as a nudist playground.

On Acadia Beach, I walked on rocky little pebbles, which rubbed against my sole like foot massage. Plenty of emerald shrubs lay on the beach’s inland, acting as shade for many of the beachgoers. I had heard that wildlife can be seen here, sea lions were the star celebrities here, but I had barely seen a tail since I got here.

Walking further along the coastline, the tide was low and so created a water pathway for me to get to Wreck Beach proper. Unsurprisingly, the entire stretch was flooded with people, all naked from top to toe. Temporary stands stood by the sandy shoreline, selling everything from clothes, handicraft and jewelry to alcoholic drinks.

This was no Canada, I thought. Liberal hippies and happy locals were all gathered to celebrate their freedom. It felt more like a carnival than just a nudist beach. The air smelt of happiness and liberation. A conservative girl at heart, I chose to leave my clothes on while I ventured around the beach to get a feel of it.

Wooden planks line the coastal area, forming trails that lead to various sandy spits and isolated patches. I had heard that Trail 7 was a popular place for couples to snuggle up and decided to follow the trail and take a peek. There was no display of affection; instead I found a rather pleasant pocket of sand, with complete tranquility. I had the entire patch to myself, with tall grasses poking out amidst calm and stagnant waters. The sun was melting above the horizon, its orange rays reflected upon the mirror-like water surface.

By dusk, my stomach was growling. I headed to the famous Stormin’ Norman by Wreck Beach and gobbled down an outrageous veggie burger, so good I had to have another one before leaving. After the satisfying meal, I washed it all down with Marco’s organic fruit juice – refreshing and cold, perfect to cool off from the heat.

I looked back at the beautiful day I just had on Wreck Beach Vancouver and could not ask for more.