Major city · Canada
Lions Bay-Britannia Beach
Stop 2–4 h on the Sea-to-Sky drive for Britannia Mine Museum and Porteau Cove; sleep only if you have a campsite or cabin booked.
This is a 30 km strip of Howe Sound shoreline on Hwy 99 between West Vancouver and Squamish: four small communities, a mine museum, a dive-friendly marine park and almost no beds. Most travellers pass through in 45 minutes; the stop pays off if you book Porteau Cove or want the mine tour.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- May–Sep for the museum, camping and diving; Oct–Apr for cheap cabins and quiet roads
- avoid Nov–Feb (rain, short days, some Porteau Cove facilities closed)
- Airport
- YVR
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Lions Bay-Britannia Beach911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Lions Bay-Britannia Beach, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD, $).Canada-wide
- SIM or eSIMRogers, Bell and Telus plus cheaper brands (Fido, Koodo, Public Mobile); prepaid SIMs in malls and stores.Canada-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable; treat water from lakes and streams (giardia).Canada-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 15–20% of the pre-tax bill.Canada-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Canada-wide
- SafetyLow-crime, low-traffic area; the real risks are highway driving, cold water at Porteau Cove and no cell signal on trails.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysStatutory holidays close shops and offices, varying by province; many park facilities are seasonal (about mid-May to mid-October).Canada-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportYVR Vancouver International (About 45–60 min by car to Lions Bay via Hwy 99; no direct transit, so rent a car or take a taxi/rideshare).
- Getting aroundA car is the only practical way: Hwy 99 is the single road in and out, hilly and fast, with no gas between West Vancouver (exit 7) and Squamish.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee and a baked good at the Lions Bay general store-cafeC$3–11 (≈ US$3–8)
- Museum or sight ticketBritannia Mine Museum admissioncheck
- Budget bedPorteau Cove drive-in campsite, a night, per roomC$16 (≈ US$12)
- Mid-range bedPorteau Cove drive-in campsite, a night, per roomC$30 (≈ US$25)
- High-end bedPorteau Cove drive-in campsite, a night, per roomC$38 (≈ US$30)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$60 (≈ US$45) · Mid C$130 (≈ US$95) · High C$250 (≈ US$190)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- YVR Vancouver International (About 45–60 min by car to Lions Bay via Hwy 99; no direct transit, so rent a car or take a taxi/rideshare)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Care
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Feb
Care
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
Best
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
Best
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jun
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jul
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Aug
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
Care
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Dec
Care
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: Mar–Oct. Mixed: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Nov (20 rain days), driest Jul (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Lions Bay-Britannia Beach: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
19 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
15 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
17 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
15 rd
May
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
13 rd
Jun
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
11 rd
Jul
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Aug
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
16 rd
Nov
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
20 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
20 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the only practical way: Hwy 99 is the single road in and out, hilly and fast, with no gas between West Vancouver (exit 7) and Squamish. TransLink bus 262 links Lions Bay to Caulfeild Village and Horseshoe Bay hourly; Porteau Cove and Britannia Beach have no public transit. Lyft serves Lions Bay only.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Squamish
goDoor to door: 15–25 min
Drive north on Hwy 99
Nearest full range of hotels, restaurants and gas.
Whistler
goDoor to door: About 1 h from Britannia Beach
Drive north on Hwy 99
Continue the Sea-to-Sky rather than doubling back.
Pemberton, British Columbia
overnightDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min from Britannia Beach
Hwy 99 north past Whistler
Too far for a return day from here.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Porteau Cove Provincial Park
The only real beds here: drive-in and walk-in campsites plus four-person legacy cabins on the water. Book ahead; three-night minimum Mar–Oct for cabins.
Lions Bay village
One general store-cafe and a handful of private rentals; no hotel. 30–45 min from Vancouver, so it works as a base only if you have a car.
Britannia Beach
Museum, a food stop and a souvenir shop; lodging is limited to short-term rentals. Squamish, 15 min north, has the nearest hotels.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- C$60–110 (≈ US$45–80) excl. bed
- Mid
- C$120–200 (≈ US$90–150) excl. bed
- High
- C$220 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Porteau Cove legacy cabin1 × 1 night × C$179 | C$179 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$130 | C$260 |
| Britannia Mine Museum admission2 × C$40 · check | C$80 |
| Fuel top-up before Hwy 991 × C$70 · check | C$70 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$20 · check | C$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$63 |
| Trip total≈ C$346 per person per day, bed included | C$692≈ US$550 |
C$139 mid-Oct–mid-May, C$179–219 otherwise; three-night minimum Mar–Oct
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee and a baked good at the Lions Bay general store-cafe | C$3–11 (≈ US$3–8) |
| Burger, fish and chips or poutine at Mountain Woman, Britannia Beach | C$5–11 (≈ US$4–8) |
| Britannia Mine Museum admission | check |
| Porteau Cove campsite, drive-in | C$30 (≈ US$25) (C$16 (≈ US$12) low season) |
| TransLink fare, Lions Bay to Horseshoe Baycheck | C$3–5 (≈ US$3–4) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No gas stations between West Vancouver and Squamish: fill up before you leave.
- Hwy 99 is winding and fast-moving; cycling is for confident riders only.
- Cell coverage is patchy along the highway and drops on trails.
- Nearest hospitals are in North Vancouver and Squamish, roughly equal time from Lions Bay; Squamish is closer if you are north of it.
- Porteau Cove's low season (Nov–Feb) can close some facilities.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Lions Bay-Britannia BeachLions Bay-Britannia Beach
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies here; nearest consulates are in Vancouver. US consulate general: Vancouver (check the address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- TransLink bus 262, Lions Bay → Caulfeild Village: hourly service, about 20 min
- Drive, Vancouver → Lions Bay: 30–45 min on Hwy 99
- Drive, Britannia Beach → Squamish: 15–25 min
Say or show
- Where is the nearest gas station? — Where is the nearest gas station?
- One campsite for two nights, please — One campsite for two nights, please
- Is the museum tour running today? — Is the museum tour running today?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
Tipping: 15–20% at restaurants and bars, 10–15% for taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Lions Bay-Britannia Beach. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep for the museum, camping and diving; Oct–Apr for cheap cabins and quiet roads · avoid Nov–Feb (rain, short days, some Porteau Cove facilities closed) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Field-checked Hwy 99 stop timings and museum tour cutoffs.
- Porteau Cove booking windows and cabin minimum-stay rules.
- Bus 262 timetable and Horseshoe Bay transfer fixtures.
- Fuel and hospital decision points for the corridor.