The Rugged Beauty Of Crescent Beach

Last Updated on July 20, 2022

If you are looking for a beautiful and rugged spot to enjoy the pacific northwest coastline, Crescent Beach is definitely worth checking out. This beach is located in Surrey, British Columbia, and it offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and nearby mountains. It is also a great place for some easy hiking, tide pooling, and bird watching. If you are looking for an outdoor adventure, be sure to check out Crescent Beach!

While there are no white sand or tropical (or seaweed-free) seas, you will find plenty of natural riches at a rugged PNW beach.

Crescent Beach Park Information

For a delightful day on the seaside, head to Crescent Beach! Swimming, beach volleyball, and beautiful views from the pier are just a few of the activities available. Beecher Street, Sullivan Street, and Target Street are the best beach access points. A wide grassy area at Sullivan Point is great for a picnic blanket.

Crescent Beach History

Crescent Beach stretches back to 1909, when the construction of the Great Northern Railway made the beach extremely accessible to the public. In 1912, this area was promoted as a resort area with a trendy hotel, pier, and train station. To prevent flooding and enable growth in the neighborhood around it, dykes were constructed one year later.

Today, the dikes are utilized as a seaside walkway, and while the hotel and railway station have vanished over time, the beach remains a popular summer picnic spot for families.

Our Favourite Local Beach

For decades, my family and I have visited Crescent Beach. Because it is a fantastic location to dig in the sand, school field trip beach days are largely held at Crescent Beach.

Crescent Beach also has a great family-friendly vibe compared to White Rock beach, which attracts more of the party scene.

Swimming At Crescent Beach

During the summer, from 11 am to 7 pm, lifeguards are on duty at Sullivan Point. You may swim in two roped-off zones for all ages here.

Follow these safety precautions to keep safe in the water:

  • Swim within the rope boundary only
  • Wear a lifejacket if you have young or inexperienced swimmers.
  • Keep your children within arm’s reach at all times.
  • Keep an eye on the tides, currents, and water conditions – ask a lifeguard if you’re unsure.

Dogs At Crescent Beach

Dogs are not permitted on Crescent Beach from May 15 to September 15 in order to avoid overcrowding.

Dogs are permitted in the adjacent Blackie Spit Park, which is to the north of Crescent Beach.

There’s plenty of parking at Blackie Spit Park, as well as a beach entrance and a trail system with two off-leash areas for dogs, including the only official dog off-leash swim area in Surrey. You can use this fenced swimming area when the tide is in, so check ahead of time and make sure your dog doesn’t go into the environmentally sensitive area adjacent to it.

Moody views at Crescent Beach

 

Off-Season Beach Days

During the off-season, the beach transforms into an entirely new place. With the extra time to explore tide pooling when the tide is out, Moody beach days are just as gratifying. You can wander aimlessly for hours, from any easily accessible beach entrances, so it is easy to find yourself alone at the beach. It is a great time to spend admiring nature, undisturbed.

Bald Eagles

The bald eagle is one of British Columbia’s most well-known birds, with about 20,000 nesting in the province. The abundance of salmon in this part of the world contributes to the bald eagle’s significance.

We went beach-combing one morning at Crescent Beach and were stunned at what we saw as we walked along the shore. We encountered A LOT of eagles in the area, each one feasting on the spoils left behind after the tide went out that morning. It was an insanely stunning sight that will be seared in our memories.

A kelp crab

Tide Pooling: What You Will Find

Endless starfish, sea cucumber, mudfish, vivid colors of sea snail shells, sand dollars, crabs, and eagles all-around feasting at the low tide may be found if you trek down to the rough side of the beach.

Make sure to check the tide chart before you go if you want to be able to explore the rugged beauty.

Crescent Beach is also one of the best beaches to find starfish near Vancouver.

Where To Eat At Crescent Beach

The Fish Net and Hooked Fish Bar are the two main restaurants located at Crescent Beach.

Hooked Fish Bar is a more casual restaurant that offers fish tacos, burgers, and sandwiches. Hooked Fish Bar is right on the beach with fabulous views.

The Fish Net is a seafood restaurant that offers fresh, local seafood. They have a great selection of fish and chips, as well as other seafood items such as oysters, salmon, and prawns.

You cannot tell if it is a dive or not just by looking at this restaurant; there is also a take-out window, as well as a tiny patio. However, it was a wonderful location to stock up on fish and chips for dinner on the beach. The eatery is located just off the main approach to Crescent Beach.

On a hot day, you will also want to grab some ice cream from Red Baron or Martinos. The Red Baron is a classic beach restaurant with burgers, corn dogs, french fries, and ice cream on the menu. The meal is a typical concession fare. It’s conveniently located right at the entrance to the beach. Martinos offers a large variety of gelato and ice cream.

Parking At Crescent Beach

The only downside to Crescent Beach is the parking, but at least it is free. On the north side, there is a small parking lot (turn right off Beecher Street onto McBride and go all the way to the end). On weekends, the parking fills up quickly. After that, you park wherever you can find open parking spots on the street. There is not much street parking, and you could wind up with a bit of a walk to the beach.

Where To Stay At Crescent Beach

There are no hotels within Crescent Beach village if you wish to make your trip to Crescent Beach a weekend getaway. For a hotel, you will need to go to South Surrey or White Rock. You may be able to find a nearby vacation rental or Airbnb.

A hotel may do well in the area, but it is amazing that it is still free of a massive resort or hotel, keeping a village-like atmosphere.

Crescent Beach is a great spot for a day trip from Vancouver. With so much to do and see and its gorgeous views, you will never be bored at this beautiful Pacific Northwest gem! So what are you waiting for?

 

Love it? Pin it for later!