As Canadians, we talk a lot about how beautiful our country is; the mountains, the coasts, the forests, the cities. All too often, though, we forget about our beaches. And Canada has some pretty awesome beaches.
I was only acutely aware of just how awesome our beaches are until I did some research for a segment I was scheduled to do for The Marilyn Denis Show (see the clip below!), only to find out that regardless of where you live in the country, you're likely not far from a sweet summer spot.
So what do we think are Canada's best beaches? Read on to find out...
Best beaches on Prince Edward Island
Tourism PEIThunder Cove Beach
A little off the beaten path but well worth the adventure, Thunder Cove beach is known for its warm waters, beautiful red cliffs, and Teacup Rock. Catch the sunset from this beach for a truly memorable experience.
Basin Head Provincial Park
Basin Head Provincial Park stuns with white singing sands and the warmest water north of Florida. You can take a dip, check out the Fisheries Museum, grab some food, and relax in the sunshine.
Best beach in Newfoundland
Newfoundland & Labrador TourismShallow Bay Beach
On the west coast of the island, Shallow Bay Beach is known lovely sand and warmer waters. The sunsets are amazing and there is nothing commercial about it.
Best beaches in New Brunswick
Tourism New Brunswick
Kellys Beach
Located in Kouchibouguac National Park, Kelly’s Beach is one of Canada's warmest saltwater beaches. Here, visitors will find 25 kilometers of golden sand dunes and a half-kilometer-long boardwalk that stretches above salt-marsh grass toward lively lagoons.
New River Beach Provincial Park
New River Beach Provincial Park is the perfect spot to camp, admire breathtaking coastal islands and kayak the Bay of Fundy. The beaches and coastal trails at New River Beach abound with spectacular evidence of the natural formation of the bay’s high tides.
Best beaches in Nova Scotia
Tourism Nova Scotia
Melmerby Beach
Known for its warm waters, averaging more than 22 degrees Celsius (72°F) in the summer, Melmerby is a popular two-kilometer beach with boardwalks. The beach is supervised in the months of July and August. Park features include change houses, flush toilets, salt-rinse showers, picnic tables, boat launch and abundant parking. The park also offers an accessible coastal viewing opportunity.
Blomindon Provincial Park
Check-out Blomidon Provincial Park on the Atlantic and surrounded by beautiful cliffs. Rising majestically from the shores of the Minas Basin, Blomidon Provincial Park is renowned for its spectacular views. It’s an excellent choice for camping, hiking, beachcombing, photography or just appreciating nature.
Best beach in Quebec
Tourisme Îles de la MadeleineWest Dune Beach
Quebec’s Magdalen Islands offer more than 300 kilometers of beaches in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. There are formally about 13 beach options to choose from, including West Dune Beach, also known as Corfu Beach because of the 1963 shipwreck off Corfu Island. Remnants of the shipwreck can be seen from the beach.
Best beaches in Ontario
Cobourg Tourism
Cobourg Beach
Located on Lake Ontario, Cobourg Beach is a family friendly destination with clean, shallow water and lifeguards on duty during primetime swimming hours. Picnic on the beach or go to Victoria Park, a 22-acre park adjacent to the beach for some shade and a picnic table. This beach is especially known for its annual Sandcastle Festival, which will take place in 2017 on Aug. 5.
Rotary Cove
There are three beaches to choose from in Goderich, all linked together by a 1.5-kilometer boardwalk, though Rotary Cove is also hailed as a favourite. Not only is it beautiful, this is a family-friendly choice with summer lifeguard supervision, refreshment stands and washroom facilities. If you're in the area on a Friday night, stop by for “Piping Down the Sun," whereby local bagpipers play until the sun goes down.
Best beach in Manitoba
Travel Manitoba
Grand Beach Provincial Park
The powdery white sand beaches and grass-topped dunes at Grand Beach Provincial Park (located on Lake Winnipeg) make it a top choice in North America. The dunes reach as high as eight meters, and a lagoon supports many species of birds. Come here to swim, wind surf or hike, two excellent self-guiding walks: Spirit Rock Trail and the Ancient Beach Trail.
Best beaches in Saskatchewan
Tourism SaskatchewanCandle Lake
The tree-lined main beach at Candle Lake (in Candle Lake Provincial Park) is gorgeous, with clear and inviting water. Enjoy the gradual drop off as your feet slide along the smooth sandy bottom. Candle Lake also has something unexpected along its shoreline – a purple sand beach!
Lake Diefenbaker
With approximately 800 kilometers of shoreline, man-made Lake Diefenbaker in Palliser Regional Park is the largest body of water in south-west Saskatchewan. One of the finest beaches in the area is nestled into the shore at Palliser Regional Park. This long beach stretches as far as the eye can see.
Best beaches in Alberta
Travel Alberta
Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park
Just 2.5 hours north of Edmonton, find the gem that is Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park, a destination with endless white sand beaches. Cycle, paddle, swim, fish and watch for wildlife. Hike up to Marten Mountain Viewpoint for a spectacular overlook of the lake. The Trans-Canada Trail runs the length of the lake shore and is used year round for hiking and cross-country skiing.
Quarry Lake
A reclaimed mining quarry, Quarry Lake is a hot spot for locals and tourists in the Canmore area on a hot summer day. There’s a little beach, but the most popular activity is a small cliff jump into the cool waters. It has beautiful views of the surrounding Rocky Mountains.
Best beaches in British Columbia
Guy Kimola/Haida Gwaii Tourism
North Beach, Haida Gwaii
Stretching for miles on the northern tip of Graham Island, North Beach (Haida Gwaii) is where the rainforest of Naikoon Provincial Park meets the ocean. Hike up to Tow Hill and you'll be rewarded with windswept views of the beach's wide expanse. Down on the sand, you can catch dungeness crab with just a fishing net in early summer. From October to May, it's the perfect place to wade in with a surfboard, and because of its remote location, you're likely to have the waves to yourself.
Wreck Beach
While most people in Vancouver know about Wreck Beach, relatively few have actually seen it. North America's largest naturist beach (yes, that means ‘clothing optional’) is hidden away at the city's western tip by the University of British Columbia, and you need to descend nearly 500 steps to get there. The Wreck Beach Preservation Society promotes respect and body acceptance through nude recreation.
Best beach in the Northwest Territories
Spectacular NWT
Great Bear Lake
You might not think that Canada’s North would be an appealing beach destination, but for a special, off-the-beaten-path experience, try Great Bear Lake. Not only is there plenty of sandy shorelines, you can enjoy the brilliant sunshine 24 hours per day during the summer because of its location, straddling the Arctic Circle.
DID WE MISS ANY?
Don't see a beach listed that you think is one of Canada's best? Let us know in the comments below!
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