Reaching Buntzen Lake from downtown Vancouver requires a few transfers en route and takes roughly 90 minutes on a good day, even with a tailwind. Because the options are rather limited, be sure to use the planning tools at the Translink website to create the most efficient schedule for your needs. During high season, from the end of June to early September, the #179 bus connects Coquitlam Central Station to Buntzen Lake on weekends and holidays only, with limited hours of operation [approximately 9:35 AM – 7 PM.]
At other times, the #182 Belcarra leaves from Moody Centre Station [Bay 8] and will drop you off at Anmore Grocery just outside the gate to Buntzen Lake Park. You’ll have to trudge the final 2 kilometres to South Beach.
Whichever bus you catch, you’ll want to take the Expo Line from downtown, transferring to the Millennium Line at Commercial-Broadway Station.
After the Flood: Deadheads and snags, dating from the early 1900s when the reservoir was filled, are seen in many shallow areas around Buntzen Lake. Pictured here, a view from the dike across the south end slough.
Incidentally, Anmore Grocery has worms, a limited supply of fishing tackle and fishing licenses for sale.
