Top 10 Beaches in Canada

In Canada, visiting the beach goes beyond just enjoying ice cream, soaking up the sun, and taking a refreshing swim in the ocean.

You might also get lucky with a bear sighting, a breezy stroll among driftwood, and the opportunity to toss a snowball instead of a stone into the waves.

Depending on your location, the ocean's tide may not wash away your sandcastles. With only six of Canada's 13 provinces and territories having ice-free access to the open sea, many of the country's finest sandy beaches border vast freshwater lakes.

Narrow down your beach options with our comprehensive guide to the best sandy spots across Canada.

1. San Josef Bay, British Columbia

Ideal beach for nature lovers

Known for its unpredictable weather and challenging access, northern Vancouver Island in British Columbia is home to stunning, remote beaches. The 1.6-mile (2.5 km) path to San Josef Bay begins at the end of a 43-mile (70 km) unpaved logging road from Port Hardy. Once the forest opens up, you'll find yourself on a windswept stretch of crashing waves and forested sea stacks, where the vegetation has been shaped by powerful Pacific storms.

Planning tip: Pack a tent and binoculars. You can camp directly on the smooth sandy shore and observe the local wildlife, including eagles and ospreys.

Curious about local favorites in Canada? Explore some of our writers' top picks.

2. Stanhope Beach, Prince Edward Island

Best beach for a peaceful escape

The expansive, dune-surrounded beach at Stanhope, located on the north shore of Prince Edward Island, attracts far fewer visitors compared to nearby spots like Cavendish Beach. For a serene stroll, free from crowds and playful dogs, follow the boardwalk that winds through the park's marram-grass dunes, a crucial nesting area for the piping plover.

Head west to discover the Covehead Harbour Lighthouse, a charming white clapboard structure that captures the essence of PEI. If you venture east, you'll find Dalvay by the Sea, an elegant Queen Anne revival hotel established in 1895.

3. Wasaga Beach, Ontario

Top beach for swimming

While Canada might not be as famous for its beaches as it is for its breathtaking national parks or vibrant cities, it can proudly boast the longest freshwater beach in the world.

Wasaga Beach, located in the Ontario town of the same name, stretches 8.7 miles (14 km) of soft sand along the shores of Georgian Bay in Lake Huron. As part of a provincial park, it features trails and chances to spot owls and woodpeckers. Being the nearest full-scale beach resort to Toronto, it attracts thousands of visitors each summer, making the beach lively and bustling.

Planning tip: The sand is divided into six sections. Areas 1 and 2 see the most foot traffic, Area 5 is ideal for families, and Area 6 offers more room to breathe. All zones provide warm, shallow waters perfect for swimming.

4. Chesterman Beach, British Columbia

Top beach for surfing

Selecting your favorite beach in Canada's surfing hotspot, Tofino, is akin to picking your favorite luxury sports car: they are all exceptionally good. Most polls place Long Beach at the top due to its impressive length, but many locals in Tofino consider the surfer’s paradise of Chesterman to be the ultimate stretch of sand. Surrounded by rock pools, islets, and a slender sand spit, it looks stunning in the early morning mist as well as during the vibrant orange sunsets. And of course, the surfing is outstanding.

Planning tip: Unlike Long Beach, Chesterman is conveniently close to town and can be reached by bike (with your surfboard attached to a special bike rack). The firm sand is also easy to cycle on if you want to warm up your legs before hitting the Pacific waves.

5. Kitsilano, British Columbia

Top urban beach

Kitsilano is often regarded as Vancouver's (and indeed Canada's) premier urban beach, resembling a lively slice of Southern California brought 1000 miles north. Flanked by trendy cafes and a lovely park, Kits (as the locals affectionately call it) radiates a sporty, relaxed atmosphere, especially during the summer months.

Beach volleyball reigns as the favorite sport here, but there’s plenty of grassy space to relax and toss a frisbee or football. The stretch of golden sand is soft and pristine, offering stunning views across the water toward Vancouver's modern skyscrapers and the majestic North Shore mountains on the opposite side.

Planning tip: If the idea of swimming in boat-filled English Bay doesn’t appeal, Kits also features a massive saltwater pool that is nearly 450 ft (137 m) long, making it one of the largest of its kind in the world.

6. Shallow Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador

Top beach for kayaking With a shallow bay, an expansive beach, and breathtaking sunsets, this tranquil stretch of sand located within Newfoundland's Gros Morne National Park boasts a relaxed Caribbean vibe—at least until you test the 59ºF (15ºC) waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Kayaking is a favored pastime here. You can launch from the beach and explore the calm waters around Belldowns Islands, where arctic terns nest before their long journey south. Occasionally, whales can be seen offshore, and when temperatures drop, the beachside paths transform into cross-country skiing trails.

7. Annette Lake, Alberta

Top beach for wildlife

In landlocked Alberta, lakes are the go-to spots for summer beach lovers. While the province offers numerous watery retreats for those yearning for sand, few rival the charm of the small Annette Lake in Jasper National Park, with its tree-lined shores, stunning mountain views, and refreshingly cold glacial waters. Annette's sandy stretch is short and narrow, just about the distance of a frisbee throw—creating some unique experiences.

Planning tip: This is one of those unique beaches where you might want to bring bear spray along with your inflatable raft, as grizzlies are sometimes seen nearby. Elk and mule deer offer more harmless companionship.

8. Plage de la Grande Échouerie, Québec

Best beach for kitesurfing

Geographically closer to the Maritimes, the Îles de la Madeleine archipelago is part of Québec and boasts an impressive 217 miles (350km) of beaches framed by iron-rich red cliffs. The highlight is a stunning 6-mile (10km) stretch of soft sand on the Anglophone island of Grosse Île.

Stretching northeast from Pointe Old Harry into the 1690-acre (684-hectare) East Point National Wildlife Reserve, Grande Échouerie offers hours of peaceful solitude among tufted dunes that attract horned grebe and piping plover.

Planning tip: The strong winds of the archipelago make it an ideal spot for kitesurfing or, for those less inclined to athletics, kite-flying.

9. Dunes Beach, Ontario

Best beach for dunes

Located just a 2.5-hour drive east of Toronto, Sandbanks Provincial Park features the world's largest bay-mouth barrier dune formation as it extends into eastern Lake Ontario. This park boasts three stunning beaches.

The two most frequented beaches, Outlet and Lakeshore, face west onto Lake Ontario, but Dunes Beach offers a quieter, more intriguing experience with its clean, calm waters of sheltered West Lake. Towering dunes, dotted with trees and shrubs, rise steeply from the shore. While many beaches encourage relaxation, Dunes invites you to engage in brisk hill climbs before racing back down into the lake.

10. Parlee Beach, New Brunswick

Best beach for families

Renowned for having the warmest sea water in Canada and boasting an International Blue Flag certification for safety, accessibility, and environmental standards, Parlee stands out as New Brunswick's premier beach. Its soft, golden sands stretch along shallow, pleasantly warm waters. During peak summer, lifeguards are on duty throughout the day, making it a beloved spot for families. The area maintains a low level of commercialization, featuring grassy dunes that protect well-kept showers, changing facilities, and food stands offering poutine. Notably, the Beach Boys once performed at Parlee, and the beach continues to resonate with a vibrant rock 'n' roll spirit.

Planning tip: In-the-know locals recommend saving room for a visit to nearby Shediac, famous for its lobster.