Wreck Beach
Below UBC, Point Grey, Vancouver · Canada
Canada's most famous clothing-optional beach, seven kilometers of shore under the UBC cliffs, official since 1991. The gay end is south of the stairs.
Updated
- Status
- Official clothing-optional beach
- Crowd
- Gay-popular
- Country
- Canada
- City
- Vancouver
- Water
- Sea
- Rank
- #15 where the boys go
- Best time
- June to September
- Confidence
- High
Find it
49.2585° N, 123.2590° WThe gay end
South of the Trail 6 stairs, the Oasis and Pebble beaches are the gay end. The main beach at the bottom of the stairs is everyone.
Crowd A clothing-optional beach for everyone with a gay end everyone knows about. Walk in the direction the guide says and you will find the boys.
Getting there
Bus to UBC, then the Trail 6 stairs (about five hundred steps) down through the forest. Vendors on the sand in summer.
The rules
Official clothing-optional beach. Designated by law or by the council. Swimwear is optional on the marked stretch, and nobody will ask you to cover up.
No photos of anyone, sunscreen everywhere, cover up the moment you leave the clothing-optional stretch, and head home with the light. Sunbathe, swim and keep the beach respectful for everyone.
Questions people ask
Beach questions
Where exactly is Wreck Beach?
Below UBC, Point Grey, Vancouver, Canada. The map pin is 49.2585° N, 123.2590° W.
What is Wreck Beach like?
Canada's most famous clothing-optional beach, seven kilometers of shore under the UBC cliffs, official since 1991. The gay end is south of the stairs.
Which section of Wreck Beach is on the atlas?
South of the Trail 6 stairs, the Oasis and Pebble beaches are the gay end. The main beach at the bottom of the stairs is everyone.
How do I get to Wreck Beach?
Bus to UBC, then the Trail 6 stairs (about five hundred steps) down through the forest. Vendors on the sand in summer.
Where does Wreck Beach rank?
Below UBC, Point Grey, Vancouver. #15 in the gay-popular beach ranking.
More in Canada
Method
Status says what the law and the locals allow; crowd says who is on the sand. Both come from gay-travel guides, the national naturist federations and members who were just there, scored on sources, recency, crowd, legal footing and safety. How we rank. Pins mark the beach; the gay end is described above. Last reviewed September 2026.