Delta is a mainly agricultural area lies south of Vancouver, east of the Strait of Georgia, between the south arm of the Fraser River and Boundary Bay. Highways 91 and 99 provide easy access from this 336 square km municipality to Vancouver and its airport (in Richmond) and to the United States.
The district municipality of Delta, incorporated in 1879, was named for the flat delta land at the mouth of the Fraser.
There are a number of charming attractions right along River Road in Ladner: Captain Cove Marina, Ladner Harbour Park (with protected rabbits), a playground with picnic tables and walking trails, St. John’s Fishing Lodge, and the Ladner Crab Trap Factory.
The Reifel Bird Sanctuary on the west end of the Fraser’s south bank, west of the village of Ladner is a favorite for bird-watchers, being on the major north-south migration route along the Pacific.
Tsawwassen
is named for the aboriginal word for “facing the sea”. It has beautiful beaches, and good winds for windsurfing between the spit and the ferry terminal. Catch the ferries to Vancouver Island at the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal. Ferries run to Swartz Bay (by Victoria), Nanaimo, and the Gulf Islands. Sailing time to Victoria is 95 minutes to cover a 39 km distance. Some of the ferries hold 300 automobiles and carry 1,350 passengers.
South of Tsawwassen is Point Roberts, on the portion of the point that drops below the 49th parallel that marks the US Border. Head south along Highway 17 before ferry, left to 56 Street, through town of Tsawwassen, up the hill and across the border. Point Roberts forests and beaches, excellent for swimming and walking. The beaches on Boundary Bay, the sandbars go for a mile at low tide, and provide a suitable beach for small children. The shores on the Strait of Georgia are much rougher water; great for viewing, however not good for swimming.
Point Roberts
This community’s attractions include the International Market Place on Tyee Drive, Nielson’s Lumber Yard
(home of the annual spring Belt Sander Drag Race), the Marina (just past the market), Light House Park with boardwalk, picnic shelters, boat launch, playground, lookout tower and a fishing pier. Lily Point provides a 20 minute walk to the cliff with a graet view of Blaine WA to the east, the San Juan Islands to the south, and the burned-down ruins of the Alaska Packers Association fishing packing plant, destroyed in the 1960s.
On the east side is North Delta, bordering Surrey. This community is close and convenient to the SkyTrain running through New Westminster and Surrey.
Other Links
Annual Delta Events
Delta Pioneer Days (May), Fraser River Festival (June).
Delta Attractions
Here are the most popular attractions in Delta and other nearby attractions):
Bear Creek Park Train
13750 88 Ave, Surrey, BC V3W 3L1
(Bear Creek Park)
(604) 501-5050
Surrey, Eddy the Engine and Chough the steam locomotive operate on a 15 inch narrow gauge track.
Britannia Heritage Shipyard Museum & National Historic Site
5180 Westwater Drive
Richmond BC, V7E 6P3
(At the foot of Railway Avenue, Steveston)
604-238-8050 Fax: 604-238-8040
Take Highway #99 to Steveston Highway and head west to the Village. Displays about the Steveston ship building and fishing. The Britannia Shipyards building was originally constructed as a cannery in 1889 and became one of the busiest canneries on the Fraser River, producing canned salmon for shipment all over the world. In 1912, the Hell’s Gate Landslide caused a significant decline in salmon stocks, forcing many canneries to close. In 1917 the Britannia Cannery became a shipyard and general maritime repair shop.
Burns Bog Conservation Society
202 11961 88th Ave, Delta
(604) 572-0373
Burns Bog is a raised dome peat bog slated for development, a unique ecosystem amongst the mountains, forests and cities at the mouth of the world’s greatest salmon river, the Fraser
Deas Island Regional Park
Northeast of Hwy 99 at Hwy 17 (Ladner)
(On the Fraser River, east of Massey Tunnel)
(604) 432-6350
This 70 hectare park is on the south bank of the Fraser River, with sand dunes, marshes, and nature trails. The park offers a large picnic area (with shelter), nature trails, bar fishing, canoe launching and sheltered Deas Slough for waterskiing and rowing. The historic Inverholme Schoolhouse, dating back to 1909, is the park’s information centre. Burrvilla is a 1905 Queen Anne-style home furnished with antiques, and offers period items for sale. The park also has a great view of cars disappearing into the George Massey Tunnel under the Fraser River.
Delta Museum & Archives
4858 Delta Street, Ladner
(604) 946-9322
The museum contains a wealth of fine artifacts, photographs and authentic Victorian period settings.
F440 Racing Challenge
4805 Nulelum Way, Tsawwassen
(604) 948-2940
Enjoy adreneline pumping race track action inside a Formula race car on a professionally designed one-kilometre road course.
George C. Reifel Bird Sanctuary
5191 Robertson Road
(604) 946-6980
This is a 850-acre sanctuary on Delta’s Westham Island, only 10 kilometres west of Ladner. It is a major resting place for thousands of migratory birds on their way south to warmer places in fall and their way back in spring. The Sanctuary features three kilometres of hiking trails and a nature house. More than 240 species, with over 1.5 million birds pass through here annually. Thousands just stopping to rest and feed, others to spend the winter, and some species make this their year-round home. The Sanctuary is operated by the B.C. Waterfowl Society, a non-government, self-supporting non-profit organization.
Ladner Village Market
48th Avenue, Ladner Village
(604) 946-7820
Every Sunday from June 1 through August 31.
Ladner’s Landing
A series of self guided walking tours – Ladner’s Landing…, Beyond Ladner ‘s Landing, Across the Bridge…, Port Guichon.
Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary
Located in Ladner.
Managed by the B.C. Waterfowl Society, it is an important resting point for many species on their annual migrations north and south.
SplashDown Park
4799 Nu Lelum Way (Delta)
(604) 943-2251
This 13-slide 10-acre fun spot is Vancouver’s only waterpark. In addition to the slides, the park features hot tubs, picnic areas, beach volleyball and basketball. The park is only minutes from the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal
Delta Parks
Here are the most popular parks in Delta from north to south (see other area parks):
Deas Island Regional Park
6090 Deas Island Rd, Delta, BC V4K 5A8
(604) 520-6442
This 71 hectare park is on the south bank of the Fraser River, east of Massey Tunnel. The park has a viewing tower, with scenic views and an interpretive display of Fraser River. On the river is bar fishing and a canoe launch. The park has several trails through its sand dunes and coastal marshes. There are several historic buildings in the park, including Burrvilla, a stately house built in 1906; Inverholme, a one-room schoolhouse, built in 1909; and the Delta Agricultural Hall built in 1894. The park also has a great view of cars disappearing into the George Massey Tunnel under the Fraser River.
George C. Reifel Bird Sanctuary
5191 Robertson Rd, Delta, BC V4K 3N2
(604) 946-6980
This 850-acre sanctuary on Delta’s Westham Island, is 10 kilometres west of Ladner. The Sanctuary is a major resting place for thousands of birds migrating south in fall and north in spring. The Sanctuary has three kilometres of hiking trails and a nature house. Over 1.5 million birds from over 240 species pass through here each year.
Ladner Harbour Park
4905 McNeely’s Way, Ladner,
(5100 Block River Road, Ladner)
This park extends into the Ladner Reach of the South Arm of the Fraser River. It is a favourite meeting spot for families, with its picnic areas and playground. There’s even a walkway with a view of Ladner’s harbour. For the athletically inclined, there are also trails for walking or running, and a beach on the Fraser River for swimmers.
Rotary Park
4550 Clarence Taylor Crescent, Delta, BC V4K 3W3
(Clarence Taylor Crescent, Ladner)
This park is in the middle of everything in Ladner, across from the Delta Hospital, and beside the Municipal Hall. This park also is home to the Ladner Leisure Centre.
Diefenbaker Park
5579 1 Ave, Delta, BC V4M 3X9
(56th Street at 1st Avenue, Boundary Bay)
604-946-3308
This park, on the road to Point Roberts (USA) is a favourite meeting spot for families, with its picnic areas and playground. For the athletically inclined, there are also trails for walking or running.
Boundary Bay Regional Park & Centennial Park
541 Centennial Pkwy, Delta, BC V4L 2L5
(Centennial Parkway, Boundary Bay)
This 39 hectare park features 1.6 km of shoreline on Boundary Bay. You have a view, about 8 kilometres away of White Rock and South Surrey. The excellent sandy beach makes this beach a favourite spot for swimming, and also for crabbing (catching crabs).