My wife and I visited during the summer, and spending the late afternoon and evening here was a fantastic experience. The park is lovely, and it offers truly spectacular sunset views. They also have picnic tables available, making it easy to bring along some food and enjoy a meal right by the water. If you are in the area and looking for a quiet, scenic spot to wind down, I highly recommend checking it out. read more

Beautiful sunset if you're there around that time. Watch out for the mozzies during summer. They are out in full force. I enjoyed the 8 km return walk out to the jetty, especially when the weather is great. Not too hot/cold or sunny in spring. It is very picturesque when the sky is clear or with just bits of clouds. Lots of wildlife to look at during the walk. Spotted blue herons and plenty of ducks and seagulls. It was low tide and you see more of the wetlands. There are two shelters and two toilets along the way at different locations. I like how there are yellow markers on the ground at every 0.5km. The estimated time will take 2.5 hours to complete the 8 km return trip, longer if you want to admire the view at the end. Shorter if you're just getting your steps in. I got in 14k+ steps while R took 12k+ steps. I guess I have shorter legs. Hahaha. I will come here again to walk when the weather is good. I like flat land walking. read more

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Gorgeous stretch of beach at the western edge of Richmond. Convenient with restrooms by the parking lot. The beach is long and we found that the farther we walked, the more serene and natural the beach was. Farther down, the beach felt so pure/natural that we all commented on how it has prob remained unchanged for a thousand years. Very pretty in a Tofino type of way. Very soft, fine and darker colored sand. Only problem is no restroom farther down. read more

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Canada Day 2021 I decided to make my very first drive all the way to Iona Beach Park and take a walk on the jetty. I had never been to the park before, but it was quite easy to get to (consulted map, no GPS needed). I'm not sure whether it was because it was Canada Day, early enough in the day (just before 9 a.m.) or the tucked away location but parking for me was a relatively easy find. There seems to be a generous amount of street/gravel parking as you approach the park entrance. If you continue driving up a small hill, you will see a couple of small paved parking lots by the bird sanctuary areas and towards the entrance of the two jetty's. There is a walkable beach area and the 4 km Iona Jetty. There were some signs posted on the Jetty; the upper paved part is for pedestrians and on-leash dogs, while the gravel part are for pedestrians, cyclists, off-leash dogs, and the occasional service vehicles that slowly rumble by. Also appreciated the sign that listed out the average round trip walk (because the park closes at 10 p.m.) and warned of potential winds. I had lunch plans so I walked a little faster than normal and even then it took closer to two hours. True to their word, the weather was overcast and windy and there were a handful of pedestrians, cyclists, and dog-walkers/joggers (more as the day progressed). With the 8 km walk, I had time to admire the following items I noticed: a) a number of airplanes passing overhead (a good reminder of easing COVID restrictions), b) calls of seagulls and other types of birds I don't think I can see elsewhere in the region, c) a garbage bin and dog waste bin conveniently located about halfway, d) portable washrooms placed approximately halfway and at the end of the jetty of which I was grateful it was well stocked (yes, I had to make use of one), and e) a couple of covered shelters where you could sit down and get away from the wind (and it was windy that day). Overall, I do like aspects of this park. It's nicely tucked out of the way, and parking seems easy to find. The jetty provides a good platform for some early morning exercise. There are washrooms but not much else I see in the way of food amenities, but overall not a bad place to spend half a day and walk, or bird-watch, as long as you bring your own water and snacks. read more

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Beautiful stop and place to bird watch. Tables for picnics. Also see planes in the distance

I came here by a bicycle from South Vancouver (25km cycling for return trip) and I enjoyed the ride to get there. I wish they have more bike lacks though. Due to Covid-19, this long trail has very specific rule and it was posted at entrance. However 90% of people (most of them are whole family) ignore and they walk whatever they like. For bike, 2 ways on lower trail. For pedestrian, one way. For outbaound: lower trail, for inbound: upper trail. I hope City of Vancouver posts more notice and put some stairs so that pedestrian can move each trail. For bike, sometime small gravel made slippery but bike ride could be better to get to the end. Because there is no chair or bench for resting on the long trail. And no shade. Bring your hat and water always. read more

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A long stretch of a jetty heading out to the water. We only walked halfway. It's beyond the airport and you probably could get some amazing wildlife too. Easy parking. read more

This is a really nice park. I always bike up here, there is a nice trail that goes all the way out and then there is a little look out tower I guess you can call it. The beach is also pretty cool. It's been super windy and low tide the times I came. They have restrooms and the parking lot is a decent size though I don't know how busy it gets in the summer..... read more

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This has become my go to park for our Ms. Daisy ( our 13 yrs. old Frenchie ) As we are limited to accessing open space and to keep social distancing during the pandemic, this has become a popular spot for many that can drive out here and get some fresh air! read more

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This isn't the most glamorous beach, nor is there any shade whatsoever. However, there's so much privacy! Even when it's really busy there won't be anyone near you. If you're avoiding the crowds at the more popular beaches, this is the perfect place to get a nice tan on a hot summers day. read more

Iona Beach Park has got the whole Nine Yards - birds, georgous tidal wetlands, plane spotting, and three hundred and sixty degree views of the lower mainland. Tip: The real hidden gem to be found at Iona Beach Park is the eight kilometer hike/walk/run that goes all the way to the end of the pier. Time your visit to synch with low tide on a windless day and when you get to the end you'll be four kilometers out right in the middle of the bay. If you are silly enough to go to the same spot during a storm, then hang on - all bets are off ;-) IBP is yet another incredibly beautiful natural spot that's just waiting to be experienced, so Carpe diem! There's plenty of parking; just be careful when driving on the two lane access road as you'll encounter a random sampling of trucks, cyclists, and airport security vehicles. read more

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I am still mesmerised by the beauty n serenity of this beach and park around it. It has a picturesque view of downtown on one side and vast horizon on the other. Seagulls chase each other and make noise around you. Rest every thing is quite except occasional aeroplanes flying overhead. Actually it's close to the airport. The park has horse riding,biking and hiking trail area. There are picnic table too if u go little further on the beach. It's dog friendly except around pond and on parks east side. There are viewing spots around pond and on the ocean side as well. Washrooms are scarce and not well equipped. No shop or drinking water available around there. It's best you get ur food and water when u come to enjoy ur day here. read more

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Beautiful park! I use to work at the airport and when I would have time I would drive to this little hidden gem. I call it hidden because its never been super busy every time I come. Its a great peaceful place to watch the ocean and airplanes land or take off. So if you have to kill time before picking up or dropping off someone at the airport this is a great place to go. And it has free parking unlike the airport. read more

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My 250th Yelp review! Iona Beach is a secluded getaway amoung the growing city of Richmond. I enjoy cycling out here because the cycling path is frequented by other cyclists so you don't feel like your totally alone in the middle of no where, the road is generally clear of debris and there aren't that many vehicles, and if there are, they have plenty of roadway to leave you space. The beach itself is quite natural with its driftwood laden sandy beach, where you see the occasional driftwood "shelter" seen propped up and providing shade. Low tide provides plenty of interesting exploration for the kids and families to walk out for kilometers and find mini crabs, jellyfish, seaweed or a variety of shellfish. Be careful of high tide, it can creep up pretty fast and comes up pretty close up to the beach line. Plenty of sun and little shade, so bring the hats, sunscreen and sunglasses! The beach facilities are pretty simple. Clean washrooms and a single change room for females (not sure what the men have), water fountain and hose, picnic tables, bike rack, and LOTS of parking. The sewer jetty also provides an interesting 4km out and 4 km back in walk, bike or run. When you get to the end be warned, it gets pretty windy out there! That being said, the waste management plant resides next to the beach so you'll get the occasional waft of treated sewage. Very unpleasant but the wind usually carries it away and the sight and soft caws of the seagulls bring back the zen of the beach. Overall, I quite enjoy this close sandy beach. So come out and relish this spot if you're close by YVR! read more

I had come to this park with the boy primarily to find Geocaches. There are a whole bunch here along the Iona Jetty (poop tunnel) that stretches 4 kms out into the Strait of Georgia and the other sand jetty that stretches out diagonally to it. Unable to find all the caches in one day, we returned multiple times. Both times we were blessed with blue skies and nice weather. Not as many people out earlier in the day, I found that weekends and evenings are the busier times for walkers, runners, and adventurers. There are fairly clean bathrooms (for park standards) and great views of Vancouver, the Strait, Richmond, and beyond to Delta. read more

Iona Beach Park - Beach Jetty looking towards Vancouver. - Parks Near Me - Richmond, British Columbia

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Iona Beach Park is, perhaps, one of my favourite places to be when I want to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Located at the far end of YVR (Vancouver International Airport), this park boasts some of the most beautiful sunsets and habitats in the Lower Mainland. What's iconic about this park is the 4 kilometer-long jetty (8 kilometers from start to finish) which stretches out into the Straight of Georgia. It is perfect for a walk, jog, bike ride and it's even canine-friendly! If you're a photographer that loves to capture nature and landscapes, I highly recommend visiting this park. You won't be disappointed. To all visitors: This is a park with natural habitats, self-sustaining ecosystems and an abundance of wildlife. If you do visit, PLEASE clean up after yourself and don't litter. There are garbage cans available there for a reason. If you're a dog-walker like I am, PLEASE clean up after your pet. The City of Richmond kindly provides complimentary waste bags for you/us. We want to preserve this beautiful park (and the respected wildlife) for everyone to enjoy. This is my planet as is yours. Cheers! read more

Iona Beach Park - Beautiful day for the 8km hike. - Parks Near Me - Richmond, British Columbia

Came here at night and realized in the winter time the gate is closes at 5pm. Right beside the airport. At night its very dark. Day time will be able to see planes landing and taking off. Nice view read more

I love coming to Iona Beach because every time I come, there is almost no one there. It is guaranteed as one of the most quietest beaches in Vancouver (in my opinion) and a great place to come and relax. Even though the airport is right beside the beach, you don't hear many planes taking off or landing, but you do get the occasional helicopters flying over head. Bicyclists also love the ride out to this part and makes it a great half point. Also great place to bring your dog, however they have to be on leash. There is another turn off before the beach where you can bring your pet and take them off leash. Just look for the signs. Come early enough and you'll get the beach all to yourself, or wait till the afternoon when families show up. But fear not, there is still a lot of space between you and the next person that you still get your privacy. read more

Iona Beach Park - Parks Near Me - Richmond, British Columbia

Park gates close at 10pm. I like coming here to walk on the jetty with the dogs. The upper jetty is for pedestrians and on-leash dogs, while the bottom is for bikers, off leash dogs and their owners. The walk is quite nice with a nice breeze, and during the evening the lower jetty is usually pretty empty. The walk itself is 8km back and forth (4km one way) and takes approximately an hour and 45 minutes with stops for photos along the way. Be careful when you're on the lower jetty around 9:30pm because a truck from the city of Richmond will drive through it, so make sure when you see headlight coming your direction, to leash or hold onto your dog for their safety. It will come back around within a few minutes as well, so watch behind you as well. It's a great place in the evenings to watch airplanes come right above you and see it land at Vancouver international airport (YVR). Of course because you're in nature, during the summer time be sure to use bug spray because there are a lot, and a lot of insects!! Would I come here again? Definitely! read more

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This is a beautiful, extremely scenic, peaceful beach park with clean fresh air only minutes away from Vancouver International Airport. This is the gem of Richmond when it comes to scenic parks. There is a 4 kilometre jetty which is excellent for walking, running, jogging, and biking. Due to the fact that there are no public transportation services in this area, there aren't a lot of visitors, and finding a parking is never a problem for me. Please note that I had to use YVR Airport for the address as there is no direct address to this park. Iona Beach Regional Park is north and west of Vancouver International Airport. Go towards Vancouver International Airport and get onto Grant McConachie Way. Follow Grant McConachie Way westward to Templeton Street and then turn right (north) onto Templeton Street. Follow Templeton Street as it turns left (west) and becomes Ferguson Road. Follow Ferguson Road westward to the end; it goes directly to Iona Beach Regional Park read more

Love the location of this park which is past the airport, secluded from the crazy streets of Hong Kong-- oops, I mean Richmond. I think it has some beautiful natural features if you explore the place. Unfortunately I didn't make it very far because of the smell...............unbearable. Iona Beach Park is right beside a waste treatment plant. When I was walking around the beach, I wasn't sure if the terrible smell was coming from the sea water or the waste water. I'm thinking the latter since no other beach by the ocean water smells as bad as this. Really nasty if you think about it. Just imagine having a picnic, eating your food and the stench of everyone's human waste mixed together creeps up. Appetizing! (Sense the sarcasm). Unfortunately when I came by on a summer afternoon, the jetty was closed for construction so I wasn't able to make it out there. Perhaps being 4 km out, you would be far enough away from the smell that it would actually be pleasant. I know this has been a harsh review of what I thought might have been a hidden gem. I want to like Iona Beach Park and perhaps one day I'll gain enough courage to go back and give it a second chance to improve my rating. But if that smell comes back, all bets are off. read more

Lovely spot to stroll with the dogs. I love the divided path, with the lower for off leash dog shenanigans :) I came on a grey windy day and it was still so nice to see the waves crashing and the ducks swimming along. Easy parking, multiple trash bins along the way so you don't have to hold dog poop for 8 km's. Guess I was lucky to not have any sewage smell the day I was there? Definitely a great spot for four legged friends, especially wandering ones as it's one straight shot, no escaping for fido! read more

If you love planes, this is a cool park, but have some good walking shoes. Was nice walking out on the jetty, see all kinds of flights roaring over head. Day I went, was clear enough to see the mountain behind YVR. Good picture opportunities. Serious about the good walking shoes, and no, that house you see half way out isn't a bathroom, (so take care of that too before you start walking out). read more

This little gem of a beach is hard to find if you've never been. I would advise checking a map and orientating yourself before heading out. Great for kids because of the clean washrooms, planes taking off and landing overhead, and long mellow stretch of beach. Great for birdwatchers because you can see eagles, herons, sandpipers, ducks, wrens, and more. Great for bikers, runners, and dogs because of the long jetty. I've heard that it can get a little smelly because of the treatment plant, but I didn't experience any smelliness on my outing, just fresh beach air. read more

Great walk to the end of the jetty. Watching the planes come in. great views of the mountains and YVR

Awesome walk! Awesome views! Take sunscreen! Worth it! I travel a lot and I would come back to this again. I wish I had more time. If you find a good spot to see down and just listen to nature (when airplanes are not around) it's worth it. Romantic and a healthy way for couples to spend an afternoon. read more

Iona Beach Park - Parks Near Me - Richmond, British Columbia

I went to this park for the first time today and there was a horrible stench as soon as we got out of the car in the parking lot. Walking far away and down to the beach helped, but walking the other way to the marsh was so smelly we didn't stay in that area long. Too bad because the marsh area is so pretty. On the plus side there's a nice view of the water and a picturesque beach with sand and driftwood, but brown sludge washing up with waves on the shore kind of ruined it. Went for a walk on one of the trails and were eaten alive by mosquitos, on a sunny afternoon! Did part of the walk on the jetty and that is recommended. After we went to Macdonald beach park, which is close by, and it was much nicer. read more

The times that I've been here have been quiet 'cause unless you live in Richmond do you actually know of this park. I came here while doing some other foodie things with friends in the summer and we made a pic nic of it. There are a lot of dogs here, therefore, if you're not a dog person I don't recommend this park. read more

Went for an early summer evening walk on the jetty with family, it was quiet except for when the planes took off or landed at the airport across the water. A great location to get some landscape and seascape photos at night, but take note the park closes at 10PM. read more

Iona park is a magical place, where time stood still. Grave yard of driftwood, sandy shoreline and fresh ocean breeze. That is unless you venture 100 yards on to the central road where sign reads: "GVRD, boundary" Restricted area" That is the part of the Park, you are not suppose to see. Grave yard of rusting machinery, garbage, truck trailers, containers and hundreds of tires mixed with chemicals of all kind, with stench of creosote seeping from mountains of old wood pilings. This place is an ecological disaster, yet no one seems to notice that there are families having picnics not even hundred yards from this dump site. There are signs everywhere, advising visitors how fragile ecosystem this is, pets on leash only, do not walk in marshy area, and an occasional drive by a park ranger on an ATV making sure there is no beer and teens having fun. Yet again no one cares that someone is converting this ecosystem in to a dump! read more

Where else in Vancouver can you find a place closer to the descending planes, ocean, and noise altogether?!

My new favourite place to take the dog. Gorgeous views, nicely maintained, and one helluva walk! Bring comfy shoes!

First time I went was thru a website recommendation. It was fine. The park was alittle unkept but that is the point; to be close to nature. The second time there was this awful stench. Like a busted sewer line or something. Then I see the sign ' Vancouver waste water treatment plant'. The jetti and all this area is a sewage treatment plant. Why go there then? It's sure about being close to nature. More lie the effects of waste when Nature Calls. I certainly wouldn't bring my kids here. read more

Visited 7.19.14 about 2pm. Overcast with patches of sun. Hadn't even heard of this place before, but I went with a friend who took me out to some of his favorite spots in the area and we walked out to the end of Iona Jetty. The approximate 4km (2.5mile) walk out was pleasant. Watch for the occasional dog poop from folks who went out unprepared or just plainly don't bother to pick up after their pets. =_= Good shoes are recommended, as is sunscreen and protective clothing even if it is overcast, since you are surrounded by open water on either side and no shade along the walk. The round trip 8km walk took us about 2 hours at a moderate pace, pausing for a couple photos in the middle and the end, along with a couple minutes to hang out and take in the view and wildlife (saw a heron flying by on the drive in, some ducks in the distance, sandpipers, seagulls, cormorants (I think. They were perched at a distance), and these large, gray grasshoppers with black and white wings that kept flying up off the pavement and gravel out on the jetty. The day we went, it wasn't smelly at all. Just typical beach scents of salt water and seaweed. There is a porta-potty out at the very end (I didn't use it, so I don't know what the condition was like inside) and some trash bins along the length of the walk, along with two covered sitting areas if you need a break. The sitting areas aren't picnic spots. More like bus stop benches with opaque white walls. We didn't have enough time to walk around other parts of the beach and park, so I can't comment a whole lot about that. There are blackberry bushes around, and I found one creeping nightshade vine out on the jetty, so be wary if you have children with you who like to eat berries as the small, bright red fruits are pretty, but poisonous. read more

Found this park today. Loved it. Walks are easy and bike accessible. has all necessary amenities. I personally will be back. Fabulous views. Great for bird watching. Excellent view of arrivals and departures from yvr if thats your thing. read more