Sunday Group Dip at Porteau Cove (2026-04-05)

Time and Place

This week we are dipping at Porteau Cove Provincial Park. We will meet at 9:45am and plan to be in the water by 10:00am. Please allow yourself a few minutes to park, get ready, and say hello!

Swim Format

There will be a couple of different swim options:

– Option 1 (dip): the water gets gradually deeper close to shore, which makes for a nice place to dip! Stay in as long as you like. Most people will probably go for this option.

– Option 2 (swim around dive buoys): swim from the beach out and around the dive buoys (500m – 1km, you can loop as you’d like)

Safety

There are no lifeguards at this beach. There is the possibility for motorized boat traffic, but it is unlikely to come too close to our swimming area. Paddlers and divers are also common at this location. Swimming wild is an amazing experience, but it’s not without risk. This is how we manage it:

– We swim within our own abilities, and need to be honest with ourselves about our abilities if we decide to venture out of our depth. We want to be out of the water long before we get too cold or exhausted
– We swim with a buddy, and check in regularly to see how each other is doing

Ultimately, YOU are responsible for your own safety. But we’ll certainly look out for each other 😉

Gear

Here’s what you should bring:

– A swimsuit or swim apparel of choice (no judgement)
– A wetsuit (optional)
– Goggles and ear plugs (optional)
– A brightly-coloured tow-float (recommended)
– Snacks and water

Once you get out of the water, you might want:

– A large towel or two
– A mat or extra towel for standing on while getting changed
– A dry-robe, towel robe, or just a big towel for getting changed under
– Loose clothing that’s easy to pull on when you’re slightly damp. Buttons, zippers, or other fussy things that are difficult to use with numb fingers are not recommended
– Water shoes, crocs, or flip flops
– A warm drink
– A snack

Getting Here and Parking

This location is best accessed by car. Heading south on the Sea to Sky Highway from Squamish, look for a short right turning lake (signs for Porteau Cove) to turn into the park. Keep right at every available opportunity and park in the main parking lot (not the camping area). Parking is free.

About the Location

This beach is mostly rocky with a gradual beach entry at low tide, or a stairs entry at high tide. The water tends to be fairly clear, expect the usual sea life. We will meet at the north beach on your right as you drive in. Here is the location.

Washrooms

There are public flush toilets at the parking lot. You may want to arrive dressed and ready to swim.