Polar Bear at Centennial Beach

Delta’s annual New Year Polar Bear Swim takes place on Friday, January 1st, 2027, at Boundary Bay Regional Park’s Centennial Beach in Tsawwassen.

The event in Tsawwassen is just one of several Lower Mainland Polar Bear Swims. Other New Year dips in the ocean include ones in White Rock by the pier, Port Moody at Rocky Point Park, Vancouver at English Bay, and North Vancouver in Deep Cove. There are one or two Squamish Polar Bear Swims too.

Polar Bear Swim at Boundary Bay Park

The event on Friday, January 1st, 2027, at Centennial Beach in Boundary Bay Regional Park. Last year it ran from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm. The times in 2027 will likely be the same, but with exact details to be confirmed.

Festival activities and registration both usually open at 12:00 pm. The opening ceremonies begin at 1:15 pm and the plunge takes place at 1:30 pm. Celebrations, live music, and awards happen afterwards.

Boundary Bay Regional Park is located in the 500 block of Boundary Bay Road in Tsawwassen, which makes it about 10 km or a 15-minute drive from the BC Ferries Terminal.

About the Delta Polar Bear Swim

The Polar Bear Swim at Centennial Beach is one of several similar events that take place in the Lower Mainland on January 1st each year. Other outdoor New Year’s Day swims take place in Vancouver, North Vancouver, Port Moody, White Rock and Fort Langley.

The largest and most famous polar bear swim is the one at English Bay in Vancouver. The event in Delta is much smaller, but still pretty big. About 2,000 people usually turn out to watch at Centennial Beach each year and over 100 people take the plunge.

Last year’s event in Delta was themed “Hit Refresh on the New Year!” and it included expanded programming. There were new zones for families and children. Exact details for 2027 are to be confirmed, but will likely be similar to last year.

Delta Polar Bear Swim Participants — The Polar Bear Swim Starting Line

What to Expect

At the Delta Polar Bear Swim people usually arrive early to register, meet friends and family, and admire the costumes. The atmosphere is festive with live music.

There is usually a Kids Plunge Zone for children ages 12 and under and their adult friends and families. There is also a costume contest, an airbrush tattoo station, warming tent, and marshmallow roasting. Food trucks are also onsite, and there is a free shuttle bus service to and from the South Delta Recreation Centre and the beach, at least, that was the case last year.

Costume judging takes place before the plunge, and prizes are awarded afterwards for first, second and third for men, women, girls (ages 12 and under) and boys. There are also prize draws for early-bird entrants and and the participant who travelled the furthest.

At 1:15 pm the crowd gathers at the water’s edge for the opening ceremonies. The plunge officially begins at 1:30 pm. Families can also take part in the Family Plunge, where the first family to ring the bell wins a special prize. Awards take place shortly after the swim.

In the past there has been a free shuttle service running throughout the event between the South Delta Recreation Centre and Centennial Beach. Participants who register get the annual Polar Bear Swim pin. Registration is free both online and at the event. This will likely be the case again in 2027, but with exact details to be confirmed.

Polar Bear People in Swimsuits — Getting Ready for the Swim

Schedule of Activities

Below was the schedule of activities for the event on January 1st last year. It will likely be similar in 2027, but with exact details to be confirmed.

12:00 pm – Registration opens
12:45 pm – Live music with The Exchange
1:15 pm – Official welcome
1:30 pm – The Plunge takes place followed soon after by the awards presentations
2:00 pm – Live music with The Exchange

Tips & Advice

Below is some advice and extra information to help you make the most of your Polar Bear Swim at Delta’s Boundary Bay Regional Park.

TIP #1: If you’re planning to swim, wear appropriate footwear. The water is cold and the beach is a bit rocky.

TIP #2: Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before splash time, if you can. There’s nothing more frustrating than arriving late because of traffic (which there will be) and missing the start of the swim. There is plenty of parking at the beach.

TIP #3: Don’t forget to take the obvious – swimsuit, towel, warm change of clothes, camera, optional costume, etc. A thermos of hot chocolate or coffee can also be a good idea.

Delta Polar Bear Swim Swimmers — Delta Polar Bear Swim

About the Beach and the Park

Boundary Bay Regional Park is a flat wide-open area in the South Delta community of Tsawwassen. Tsawwassen is on a bit of a peninsula with the BC Ferry Terminal on the west side, the park on the east side and Point Roberts (in the United States) at the bottom in the south.

At the park there are walking trails, horseback riding trails and a huge sandy beach. At Centennial Beach, there is a concession stand, public washrooms, and a large children’s play area. There are also picnic shelters available on a first-come, first-served basis if no one has reserved them in advance.

Dogs are allowed in certain areas at the park, but they must be on leash.