Meteor Showers in Vancouver: Viewing Guide – Best Times, Locations, and Tips
Space lovers, unite! Every year, celestial events called meteor showers glitter the sky throughout the year, sending cosmic debris radiating across our viewpoints due to the high speeds of Earth’s atmosphere. If you’re lucky enough to catch one of these night-sky light shows, you may see one of the most beautiful natural phenomena.
Vancouver residents hoping to watch this year’s meteor showers have several locations they can head to for a night of stargazing. Here’s your complete guide to the best meteor shower viewing.
2025’s Top Meteor Showers To Watch in Vancouver
Meteors are having an active year. If you’re in awe of space and hope to glimpse shooting stars, you can do just that in the Vancouver area.
The most popular and highly anticipated meteor shower of 2025 is the Perseids, which peaks on warm August nights for those in the northern hemisphere. While August 12 and 13th will be the best nights to view them, they’re active from July 17 to August 23. You can expect a maximum of 50-75 shower members per hour.
Next are the Orionids, which will put on a show from October 2 to November 12. This medium-strength shower will likely produce a maximum of 12-20 shower members, though recent displays have produced low-average numbers.
Moving into the fall, the Southern Taurids will debut from October 12 to November 27, while the second component, the Northern Taurids, will appear as fireballs from October 12 to December 1. This year is a swarm year, so both components may be active simultaneously, increasing fireball activity.
The Leonids likely won’t see any dense clouds of debris until 2099. However, there’s still a chance of viewing some activity from them between November 3 and December 2, especially if we encounter possibilities from old debris fields.
Rounding out the year are the Geminids and the Urids. The Geminids tend to be the strongest shower of the year, drawing North American meteor enthusiasts out to catch some activity before midnight. As for the Ursids, which are often neglected due to timing, you may see 5-10 members per hour during the late morning hours during peak activity days (December 21-22). Ursids are strictly for North American viewers.
Best Viewing Locations Near Vancouver
Porteau Cove Provincial Park: This park between Vancouver and Squamish provides stunning views of Howe Sound and the sky above it. It’s particularly popular for space photography because there’s low light pollution and scenic beauty in the background.
Cypress Mountain Viewpoints: Head up to the Cypress Mountain Viewpoints, like Cypress Lookout, for meteor shower gazing with a side of city views.
McDonald Park Dark Sky Preserve: Established by the Fraser Valley Astronomers Society, McDonald Park is one of only two dark sky preserves in British Columbia. The mountain nearby helps block out light pollution from Vancouver, so it’s perfect to view meteor showers without venturing too far out.
Aldergrove Regional Park: Try to catch one of the Meteor Shower Watch parties at this regional park and its surrounding farms.
Mount Seymour: Take a short road trip to North Vancouver, drive about ⅔ of the way up the mountain, and park in the lot. You can meet other stargazers there, or keep going to the top for a truly mesmerizing view.
Spanish Banks Beach: Don’t want to leave the city? No problem. Spanish Banks Beach is easily accessible by bike, car, or public transit. There’s still some city light pollution, but its location is such that you can still catch these celestial wonders, perfect for those looking for accessible outdoor activities for children.
What to Bring for a Comfortable Night of Stargazing
With so many meteor shower possibilities, you may want a stargazing bag packed and ready for the upcoming outdoor activities.
Comfort
Bring a blanket and some pillows to create a comfortable spot on the ground for stargazing. If you prefer not to lie on the ground, pack a reclining chair. The night can get chilly, even in the summer, so bring extra clothing layers.
While bright lights will make it harder to view the stars, some sort of illumination is a good idea for safety. You can use a red light, such as flashlights or headlamps, to avoid interfering with your night vision.
Backup Power
Don’t get caught in a remote spot at night without power! Bring a compact charging option like the EcoFlow RAPID Magnetic Power Bank (10,000mAh), which can charge your phone wirelessly and keep you in communication.
Photography
Meteor showers are the perfect opportunity to show off your nighttime photography skills. Bring a tripod, your camera, a telescope camera if you have one, and a battery to charge all this equipment. The EcoFlow RIVER 3 + 45W Solar Panel is perfect, as it can run on solar power generated earlier in the day. This portable power station is compact and lightweight enough to bring with you while still providing enough power for your heavy-duty equipment.
Food and Drink
A celestial show is even better with snacks. Don’t worry about putting ice in a cooler or trying to keep your drinks cold with coozies; just pack everything into the EcoFlow GLACIER Classic Portable Refrigerator Freezer for all-night cooling.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Is the Best Time to Watch Meteor Showers in Vancouver?
The best time of night to watch a meteor shower in Vancouver is around 2 a.m. Most meteor shower radiants are highest in the sky around this time, known as astronomical twilight. You can look up the astronomical twilight time for each night, when the sun is 18º below the horizon.
Do I Need a Telescope to Watch Meteor Showers?
Telescopes are not required to watch meteor showers. Because meteors streak across the sky so fast, they are best viewed with the naked eye. Telescopes often can’t capture this speed. If you want a closer look, bring a pair of binoculars to enhance your viewing.
Meteor Showers Offer Stargazers Awe-Inspiring Nights and Natural Wonder
Take advantage of the various meteor shower viewing opportunities in the Vancouver area and plan a night to see them firsthand. With so many parks, beaches, and even a dark sky preserve in the area, there’s no excuse not to catch these incredible shooting stars. Remember to pack the essentials, like blankets, cameras, and a power source such as the EcoFlow RIVER 3 + 45W Solar Panel, to charge up all your adventures.