Horseshoe Bay Lookout: How to find the secret sunset platform in Vancouver

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As Vancouverites (especially Eric who lived there for most of his life), we are big fans of the Horseshoe Bay Lookout. When we first wrote this post, it was also known as the Horseshoe Bay secret platform. However, it’s no longer that secret of a platform, yet it remains one of the places that offer the best views in Vancouver. It’s actually one of the most romantic secret sunset spots Vancouver offers for a date.

As locals, we visited the Horseshoe Bay platform and, similarly to our Cox Bay Lookout Guide, we put together this detailed guide which includes everything you need to know to make the best out of your visit. This guide is a one stop shop!

Note: The Horseshoe Bay sunset lookout is located in Canada and is not to be mixed with the Horseshoe Bend lookout (also known as the Horseshoe lookout, which you can find in the Grand Canyon National Park in the USA. 

Horseshoe Bay Lookout Directions

There are several ways to reach the Horseshoe Bay Lookout and a couple of those ways are perfect if you don’t have a car or don’t want to rent a car while visiting Vancouver. Overall, reaching the secret Horseshoe Bay Lookout is a lot easier than you would think. 

Horseshoe Bay Lookout Coordinates and map

The Horseshoe Bay lookout platform’s coordinates are 49.37852, -123.26781.

How to get to the Horseshoe Bay Lookout by car

The Horseshoe Bay Lookout is only about 25 minutes from VanCity. It is one of the most beautiful Sea To Sky Highway stops actually. From Downtown Vancouver, you will have to drive across beautiful Stanley Park and then across the famous Lions Gate Bridge which connects Stanley Park to North Vancouver and West Vancouver. Once in West Vancouver, hop on Highway 99 and drive across West Vancouver. From there, just follow directions to Horseshoe Bay and exit the highway at Exit 2.

From the exit, count about one kilometre until you reach the Horseshoe Bay Lookout. The lookout is located on the side of Horseshoe Bay Drive. Horseshoe Bay Drive actually goes all along the coast and is a beautiful scenic drive to hop on as well.

Where to park at the Horseshoe Bay sunset platform

So far, it is an easy ride but this is where things get a little more difficult. Parking to go to the platform is different from the Horseshoe Bay parking lots. There aren’t a lot of spaces to park on the side of Horseshoe Bay Drive close to the lookout.

But we can recommend two. When coming from Vancouver, you will see a first small parking lot about two hundred metres after the lookout (the sign) on your left. If you want to count them, it is the third pull out space after the Marine Drive Junction.

There is however, another parking space closer to the lookout. It is not a parking space as such but more like a lay in. It is quite small and can only cater for a couple of cars.

If you are visiting the Horseshoe Bay Lookout at sunset, it is likely to be full. However, if you are visiting during the day on a weekday you should be able to park here. It is a bit better to park here as you are right at the lookout. 

Express bus to Horseshoe Bay Lookout

If you don’t have a car or a rental car, taking the bus to the Horseshoe Bay lookout is a great option. From Vancouver, you will have to take Bus 257 which is also called the Horseshoe Bay Express. This express bus from Horseshoe Bay to downtown Vancouver will drop you off at the ferry terminal in Horseshoe Bay. From the ferry terminal, you will have to walk for about 30 minutes to the platform. 

From Horseshoe Bay Park, walk to the East towards Keith Road and all the way to the Marine Drive Junction. Then take a left toward Horseshoe Bay Drive. That first part takes about 10 minutes. Then it will take about 20 minutes from the Marine Drive Junction to the Horseshoe Bay platform. Obviously, be careful when walking on Horseshoe Bay Drive and stay on the outer side of the concrete divider as much as possible.

How to get to the West Vancouver lookout by taxi

If you don’t have a car or a rental car and don’t want to follow the schedule of buses, then a taxi is a great way to get to the Horseshoe Bay Lookout.

To get to the Horseshoe Bay Lookout from Downtown Vancouver, it will cost you about CND$40 and it will take about 25 minutes as well.

Although it is more expensive than taking the bus, riding a cab to the lookout is convenient and practical as you won’t have to fight for parking or even bother parking alongside of the road. 

You can hop on any taxi in Downtown Vancouver and then call him back afterwards. You can also catch the bus back to Vancouver from the ferry terminal. You might also just hop on the ferry to go visit beautiful Vancouver Island!

Ferry to the Horseshoe Bay Lookout

If you are not already in Vancouver, you might have to take one of the ferries Horseshoe Bay terminal welcomes. Once you have arrived to Horseshoe Bay West Vancouver BC, you can follow the same directions as above to walk to the lookout platform. The walk takes about 30 minutes and is relatively easy. 

Address of Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal: The address Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal is 6750 Keith Rd, West Vancouver, BC V7W 2V1, Canada

How to find the Horseshoe Bay platform

Once you arrive at the lookout area and you are parked, you will want to head to the small pathway on the other side of the concrete road divider and follow it until you can find the one road sign there. This sign says “residential area, avoid using engine breaks”. It’s really hard to miss as it is the only one there. Right behind the sign is a rocky area which is where you will want to head to.

From the sign, it takes a short climb of a couple hundred metres over the rocks to reach the platform.

What is the Horseshoe Bay Lookout

The Horseshoe Bay Lookout is a wooden platform located right off Horseshoe Bay Drive, the Horseshoe Bay old highway. It is hidden in the trees and it cannot be seen from the road which is one of the reasons why it remained secret for so long. The wooden platform isn’t very big but it is big enough to hold a few people without being squeezed. 

It is known as the secret sunset platform and the sweeping views it offers have made it famous in the past year as it kept being shared on social media. We don’t know who built it but clearly it was a good idea!

The lookout is one of the Sea To Sky Highway viewpoints and offers amazing views on the Horseshoe Bay marina and the Ferry Terminal, the Howe Sound, and the mountains. It is one of the best scenic views in Vancouver!

If you decide to share some photos on Instagram, don’t forget to use one of our best quotes about Canada or one of our couple travel captions!

The Best time to visit the Horseshoe Bay Lookout

Just like the Vancouver Trestle Bridge, the lookout has become more of a popular spot, though you can still enjoy it to yourself depending on the time of day and week.

• To enjoy it more quietly, avoid the weekends and sunset time!
• Weekdays and sunrise time are the least busy.
• Winter is generally less busy as it’s cold and this are can get windy
• Summer, especially summer nights tend to be busier

The sunset at the Horseshoe Bay Lookout

The Horseshoe Bay platform is probably the busiest at sunset as it is where the light is the best on the Bay. However, it is still worth coming at that time at least once to experience the unique beauty of the place!

The sun sets behind Horseshoe Bay offering amazing golden light on the water and the mountains. This is the perfect place for a romantic date or just to bring a couple snacks and drinks after a long day visiting Vancouver and its surrounding areas. It’s definitely one of the romantic places in Canada.

If you’re going to visit the Horseshoe Bay Lookout platform at sunset, don’t forget to share your photos with one of our top 500 captions about pink skies!

Less crowded spots at the Horseshoe Bay Sunset Lookout

Whether at sunset or during the day, the Horseshoe Bay lookout is a great place to have a romantic date or a lovely picnic. That said, for that kind of setting, you might want to stay away from the crowd.

To find some quieter spots, you can walk along the rock bank from the platform. You will be able to find more secluded and isolated spots where you can still enjoy the views from. 

Gear needed for your visit

Vancouver is a beautiful place with seasons (unlike Ireland lol). If you visit the Horseshoe Bay Lookout during the summer, you will be fine.

However, in the winter, you might need to bring some boots if it snows or a rain jacket if it rains a lot. Vancouver is not the North Pole, but warm clothes are definitely something to think about if you are visiting during the colder months.

We also recommend wearing warm hiking shoes in the winter as you’ll likely have to walk in the snow to the platform.

Things you need to know before visiting the Horseshoe Bay Lookout

• This space can get busy but is for everyone. If you’re taking photos, make sure not to disrupt other people’s experiences.
• Leave No Trace: Pick up your garbage before leaving.
• Be careful when walking along the road to stay safe.

What to do near the Horseshoe Bay Lookout

West Vancouver’s Horseshoe Bay

You might be coming all the way to Horseshoe Bay Drive only to admire the views from the lookout. However, we definitely recommend you also check out the seaside town of Horseshoe Bay while you are in the area.

Although, it is well known for being home to the ferry terminal, it is a very cute town perfect for a lunch date, walking in the park or just admiring the views. From Horseshoe Bay town, you will be able to have views on the start of the Howe Sound and the beautiful mountains in the back.

How to get to Horseshoe Bay from Vancouver

Horseshoe Bay is located north of the beautiful Whytecliff Park and Lighthouse Park. It is also the start of the Sea-to-Sky highway that connects Vancouver to Whistler through Squamish.

To get to Horseshoe Bay, hop on Highway 99 from North Vancouver and follow directions to Squamish and Whistler. On your way, you will see signs for Horseshoe Bay. Follow them and take the exit to the Ferry terminal. There are a couple of parking lots in Horseshoe Bay for you to leave your car and walk around. 

Horseshoe Bay BC beach

Horseshoe Bay beach is one of Vancouver’s best beaches, not because it has golden sand, but because of the view it offers.

From the beach, you can walk along the water and then on the pier which takes you to a small port. Keep your eyes open when checking out the water as you might see sea lions swimming around! There are washrooms available on site opened during the day.

Horseshoe Bay hikes

Just like anywhere in British Columbia, you can easily find hikes near the Horseshoe Bay lookout platform. One of the popular hikes if Whyte Lake hike which starts on Westport Road and follows the Baden Powell trail before turning towards Whyte Lake. You can first head to the lookout platform and then head on the trail to make a whole day out of your experience. 

Whytecliff Park

Whytecliff Park is located just a few minutes from Horseshoe Bay and is one of the spots to check out while in the area. You can park really close to the Whytecliff Park Lookout which offers views on Whyte Cove, Whyte islet and the ocean.

From the Whytecliff Lookout, you can walk down to the beach depending on the tide and walk all the way to Whyte Islet. Keep your eyes opened for otters and sea lions here!

Lighthouse Park

Lighthouse Park is also one of the must-see spots in this area of West Vancouver. It is located just a few minutes from Whytecliff park and is a popular spot for views and to spend some time as a family. There is quite a few things to do here from walking the trails in the forest, checking out the Lighthouse and walking on the rock bank to appreciate the amazing views on the water and the coast. 

There is a parking lot at the start of the path that leads to the lighthouse and the walks are really easy. There are no amenities on site. 

Visit more lookouts on the North Shore

The North Shore of Vancouver has lots of beautiful views to offer. In West Vancouver, the view from the new Cypress Trestle Bridge is one of the best of the city! One lookout North Vancouver offers that you shouldn’t miss is Prospect Point in Stanley Park. If you are looking for a view on the bay North Vancouver offers, try Lonsdale Quay! These are also some of the best places to watch the sunset in Vancouver. 

Visit more of the best beaches in Vancouver

If you liked the views around Horseshoe Bay and spending some time at the beach whether that be to have a picnic or to walk around, you will love going to some of the best beaches in West Vancouver and the best beaches in Vancouver. Some, such as Spanish Banks, Jericho beach, and Third beach offer amazing views on the city and the coast.

Any questions on the Horseshoe Bay Lookout? Drop them in the comments or on insta and we will get back to you asap.