Visiting Iona Regional Beach Park in Richmond is one of the coolest outdoor pursuits in Richmond. This breezy, spacious headland is on the north side of Vancouver International Airport. It has two long, narrow jetties of sand and grass jutting out to the mouth of the Fraser River where people come and walk their dogs, hike, cycle, and watch the sunset.
Thanks to the thriving seabird habitat of over 300 species, Iona Regional Beach Park becomes the first name to recall for birders and photographers in and around Richmond.
Given a high concentration of wildlife, there’s a certain set of tips and rules to give a heads-up! Check out this comprehensive travel guide to Iona Regional Beach Park to make a better plan!
Where is Iona Regional Park Located?
Iona Regional Beach Park encompasses an expansive marshland at the end of the Fraser River on the north side of Vancouver International Airport.
Visitors from Vancouver will take the Arthur Laing Bridge into Richmond and find the park at the dead-end of Iona Island Causeway.
Iona Regional Beach Park Address: 900 Ferguson Rd, Richmond, BC V7B 1W7, Canada.
What Is Iona Beach Regional Park Famous for?
The bustling medley of seabirds and other flora and fauna species co-existing in this foreshore ecosystem sets Iona Beach Park apart from other natural destinations in Richmond.
Aside from such impressive wildlife, the park beckons hordes of view seekers and outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the busy commercial air and river traffic.
If you need a place for a scenic hike, the four-kilometer jetty leading towards the setting sun will have you in awe.
6 Best Things to Do and See at Iona Regional Beach Park
Run, Walk, or Bike the Jetty
Walking the jetty has a lot more to do than just a form of exercise. Both the upper and lower walks are straight up, graveled, and flat so visitors of all ages and fitness levels can enjoy.
Waiting for you at the horizon is a sweeping range of the North Shore Mountains and Vancouver Island.
As you walk towards the end of the trail, try to spot some seals swimming nearby or herons posing on the logs protruding from the gray clapping waters.
When you head backwards, find the pathways around the ponds and the water treatment plant which are great for birdwatching as well.
Be a Birder for a Day
Spotting native birds that hover around the shoreline is inarguably the key reason why the park is famous. Being a layover for migrating birds in spring and fall, Iona Park is where more than 300 species co-habitat.
While watching them hanging around by the jetty is fun, you can walk back to the ponds on the east side of the park where ducks and seagulls like to gather as it’s quiet, deserted, and far from the residential area. How fun can it be when you see a group of Canadian geese soaring in the sky during their training session before the young ones start to fly south?
Stroll around the Pond
Look to the east side of the park, you’ll see a large, calm pond that was made somewhere in the 1980s as compensation for the lost bird habitat during the construction of the airport. Today, the pond is where most of the birds, ducks, and geese get together in a peaceful marshland environment. However, if you’re with your pooch, stay away from the pond as dogs are not allowed in this area.
Hike the North Arm Jetty at Low Tide
Iona Beach Regional Park opens out to the Strait of Georgia with two different arms, the Iona Jetty to the south and North Arm Jetty to the north. While the Iona Jetty is more popular with the public, the North Arm is walkable during low tide for about three kilometers.
This jetty channels water from the North Arm of the Fraser River in the Strait of Georgia and you will experience a little rougher terrain compared to the easy call of the Iona Jetty in the south.
Soak in the Beauty of Sunset
If we have to pick one place to admire the best beauty of the sunset on the west coast of Canada, it’s gonna be Iona Beach Park. How cool it is when the flaming sun is setting straight in front of you and casting its glitters over the Strait of Georgia!
If you want to snap the best shots of the sky, the jetty will give you awe-inspiring angles, especially at the wind shelters along the walk. When the air is crisp, you can catch some of the best panoramic vistas of Mount Baker to the east, the Coast Mountains to the north with Pacific Spirit Regional Park in the foreground. You’ll see many people bringing their single-lens reflex cameras for pictures too!
Stargaze at Night
Who would have thought Iona Beach Regional Park can be so beautiful at night? And it’s all about the dazzling stars in the darkest sky over the Strait of Georgia that make the park worth staying even after the sun beams down.
This is the certain part of Richmond that’s not outshined by the city lights. Watching the shining stars dancing in the sky that’s as black as bean sauce is pure joy. And even though the park has a closing time, you can leave your vehicle near the gate and travel on foot when the park closes at dusk.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Iona Regional Beach Park?
If you want to avoid the sun and the heat of the wind, come at around 7 pm in summer before the sun beams down. Sunset also makes it worth a visit.
On those sunny days and holidays, it can be crowded and the parking lot is filled quickly, so come in the morning to dodge the crowd!
Essential Tips at Iona Regional Beach Park for a Better Plan
- There’s a public washroom located between the two jetties where you can find soap, a hairdryer, water, and a hose.
- Wind shelters are available along the Iona Jetty at approximately one-third and two-thirds points.
- Dogs must be leashed at all times and not allowed by the pond on the east side and the foreshore between Iona Jetty and North Arm Jetty.
- There’s a designated leash-optional trail along the lower roadway on the Iona Jetty but you must keep them under control (check Iona Beach Regional Park leashing designation).
- Kiteboarding is not allowed in the park.
- Removal of any vegetation or driftwood is not allowed from the park.
- Smoking, vaping, cannabis, drones, alcohol, campfires, and collecting plants are not allowed.
- Bring essential safety and first-aid gear.
- Layering is important on windy days, so make sure to check the forecast before venturing out.
- Watch out for wave overruns during high winds, especially when you’re with kids.
- There is no shade in the park, so bring sun protection and sunglasses if you head out on a hot day.
Parking at Iona Beach Regional Park
Parking at Iona Beach Regional Park is free. There are plenty of street and gravel parking lots near the park entrance and a couple of small paved lots near the bird sanctuary up a small hill.
Parking is mostly easy but it’s likely to fill quickly during sunny days and holidays. Visit early in the morning to avoid peak hour crowds!
How Long Is the Jetty at Iona Beach?
The graveled Iona Jetty is four kilometers to the jetty end.
Can You Swim in Iona Beach?
Iona Beach has a nice brown of Fraser River silts mixed with ocean saltwater but you’re advised not to swim because tides and currents are fierce and unpredictable.
Is Iona Beach Dog Friendly?
Iona Beach is dog-friendly but they must be kept on a leash and not allowed at the foreshore between the two jetties.
Check out these local travel guides in Richmond before you visit:
- 16 Things to Do in Richmond, BC at Night For A Good Time
- 35 Fun Things to Do in Richmond, BC: From Local Favorites to Famous Points of Interests
- 13 Best Richmond Parks & Recreation For A Relaxing Escape
- 10 Best Richmond Dim Sum Restaurants To Satisfy Your Dim Sum Cravings
- 10 Best Richmond Dessert Spots For The Sweet-Lovers