Yes, Canada Has Amazing Beaches. These Are the 11 Best

One of Canada’s most iconic beaches, this 10-mile-long stretch of sand is located just 10 miles south of Tofino—itself one of the country’s hippest surf towns.

Famous for its year-round surfing thanks to consistent Pacific swells, Long Beach is also a stellar spot for wildlife viewing and storm watching. Bald eagles, sea lions, and whales are frequently spotted offshore, and on a low-tide stroll, you’ll discover huge rocks covered in mussels and tide pools filled with starfish and sea anemones. During winter months, folks flock to the area to watch massive waves crash ashore.

If you’re looking to take a dip, beware of a few things: the water is cold year-round, think mid-50s F (in July!); there are powerful rip currents; and there are no lifeguards on duty.

In 2022, Parks Canada completed the ʔapsčiik t̓ašii, a 15.5-mile paved multi-use trail that connects Tofino to Long Beach through a lush coastal rainforest. It’s a great way to get to the beach. Snag a set of wheels for the trip at Tofino Bike Co.

I definitely thought this was a weird word doc error LOL. I checked, and this is indeed how it is spelled. Hyperlinked it as well.

Pretty as a postcard, Qualicum Beach is both a stunning stretch of sand and a quaint-as-can-be seaside village that has attracted royalty—Queen Elizabeth II visited in 1987—and in the early 20th Century, was a getaway for Hollywood legends like Shirley Temple, Errol Flynn, Bob Hope, and Bing Crosby.

In contrast to the west side of the island, the 2.5-mile crescent beach on the eastern shore is one of the sunniest and warmest spots on Vancouver Island, with calm, warm waters that are perfect for swimming.

Whether you’re on the beach or strolling the paved promenade along the waterfront, the coastal mountains and their snow-capped peaks on the mainland of British Columbia across the Salish Sea’s Strait of Georgia is one of the most beautiful views in Canada.

You can also take in that view at the beach-bougie Qualicum Beach Cafe, a family-run eatery known for its local fare with flair. Be sure to try the Bison carpaccio or pappardelle Bolognese—both are delicious.

With over 100,000 lakes—including three of the 31 largest in the world—it should come as no surprise that one of Canada’s best beaches is found in the prairie province of Manitoba.

As a lifelong resident of Manitoba, there’s no beach in Canada I have visited more than ‘Grand.’ Just an hour’s drive north of my home in Winnipeg on the eastern shore of Lake Winnipeg, the world’s ninth-largest lake, Grand is loved by locals for its soft white sand, 30-foot dunes, and warm, shallow waters that are ideal for swimming. On a windy day, the waves make for great body surfing.

A long-time local myth claims Playboy magazine named Grand Beach one of the top 10 beaches in the world in the 1980s. While nobody seems able to find the actual article to confirm this ranking—this is pre-Internet days—the story lives on, and Grand is often celebrated as one of Canada’s premier beaches.

In July, the sun doesn’t set until close to 10 pm, and one of my favorite things to do is to wade in the warm water and watch the sun dip below the horizon.

The good vibes here date back to the 1970s, when locals formed the Wreck Beach Preservation Society to protect the area’s cliffs, foreshore, and beaches from overdevelopment and erosion, while also promoting a naturist lifestyle. Since then, Wreck has earned global recognition as one of the world’s top nude beaches.

Located 15 minutes from downtown Vancouver at the western tip of UBC, Wreck Beach bills itself as a community rooted in conservation, self-expression, and respect.

Stretching nearly five miles, there’s plenty of space to spread out, whether you’re stripping down or just soaking up the sun. While the water is cold, it’s calm and generally safe for swimming.

Getting down to the beach is a bit of a trip: at the west end of University Boulevard, descend the steep Trail 6 staircase—473 stairs through Pacific Spirit Regional Park.

At the northeast tip of Lake Bennett, an hour south of Whitehorse, this ribbon of lakeshore provides a panoramic view of rugged, snow-capped mountains. The most unique thing about the beach is its wide expanse of soft sand, especially in spring, when it stretches several hundred yards.

An interesting side note: the beach lies along the path of the Klondike Gold Rush. In the late 1890s, stampeders stopped here to build boats before heading toward Dawson City.

Despite being glacier-fed, the lake is shallow near the shore, making it somewhat swimmable—on warm days, that is. Some people are known to bring wetsuits for longer dips.

Of note, the Yukon sees 20 hours of daylight in the summer, and temperatures can reach above 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

The northernmost beach on our list, this one requires you to accept that perhaps not all beaches are made for swimming. Unless you’re into the ultimate cold plunge, that is.

Alternatively, Kathleen Lake offers a serene lakeside experience framed by the majestic Kluane Range, home to some of the highest peaks in Canada, including Mount Logan, the country’s tallest mountain. It’s an idyllic spot to have a picnic, go paddling, or just chill—in every sense of the word.

For a bold adventure, visit the park from late August to April, bundle up, and sit on the beach to watch the aurora borealis.

There are geological explanations for why sand varies in colour in different parts of the world. A white sand beach is typically comprised of rounded grains of quartz, the second-most common mineral on Earth. In places like Iceland and Hawaii, black-sand beaches owe their dark tones to volcanic lava rock. And, the purple sand beaches found in northern Saskatchewan are a result of garnet that most likely comes from the Precambrian age (which was 4.6 billion years ago) and is found in large quantities across the Canadian Shield, a large section of the North American continent that spans a majority of the northern half of Canada. 

If you’re a fan of Bill Nye the Science Guy, that’s all pretty darn cool. If not, you can just simply enjoy the natural phenomenon where the sand appears in a spectrum of colors, ranging from lavender to magenta and sometimes even pink.

Just a heads-up: the color of the sand will vary depending on water levels, season, light conditions, and the tides, and access to Purple Sands Beach is primarily by boat. There are several local marinas and rental services in the area, including the Candle Lake Golf Resort.

Billed as the longest freshwater beach in the world, this 8.7-mile stretch of white sand is considered one of Canada’s liveliest and busiest beach destinations with a fun-filled summer schedule that includes festivals, concerts, Canada Day fireworks, and a midway.

The popular strip along the main beach has your classic beach-town staples like ice cream shops, food trucks, beachwear boutiques, and kitschy souvenir stands. But things are about to be kicked up a notch: the Town of Wasaga Beach has recently launched a multi-phase redevelopment of its iconic beachfront, which is expected to include luxury hotels, shops, and restaurants.

Located on Lake Huron’s Georgian Bay—about two hours north of Toronto, Canada’s largest city—Wasaga Beach also offers natural beauty, with views of the Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO World Biosphere.

Many parts of La Belle Province have a European feel to them, and Du Havre Beach, also known as Sandy Hook, has a French island charm to it.

Located in Quebec’s Îles de la Madeleine, an archipelago of islands in the middle of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the beach is accessible by ferry or plane.

There are 7.5 miles of golden sand that are typically sheltered from strong winds, and it’s also well-known for its annual sandcastle contest that isn’t just kids’ stuff, attracting talented sculptors and artists.

The bohemian Acadian village of Havre-Aubert, where you will find artisan shops, galleries, and cafés, is just a few miles from the beach.

Some of the warmest saltwater beaches in Canada are in the Maritime province of New Brunswick, and one of the most beloved by locals is Kelly’s Beach in Kouchibouguac National Park.

Located along the Acadian coast facing the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Kelly’s benefits from the Gulf Stream, which influences the local climate and ensures that the water is pleasantly warm during summer months.

The area is also an ecological marvel. An extensive dune system acts as a natural barrier, protecting inland ecosystems from the harsh maritime weather while also providing habitats for various bird species, including the endangered piping plover.

If you keep your ears open, you also might hear whispers about a certain secluded stretch of sand that for many years has been popular with the clothing-optional crowd.

If you’ve ever dreamt of visiting Avonlea, this is it. Author L.M. Montgomery spent much of her childhood in Cavendish, and it’s believed she drew on the natural beauty of the area, including its beaches, to create the picturesque surroundings of the fictional village in the Anne of Green Gables books.

But you don’t have to be a fan of Anne to enjoy this place. The beach is also known for its striking red sand, its red sandstone cliffs, and its shallow and calm waters that are ideal for relaxing in without ocean waves.

For those who want to explore more of Avonlea, it’s a one-mile walk from the beach to Green Gables Heritage Place, where you can tour the house that inspired Montgomery’s tales, walk scenic trails like Haunted Wood and Lovers Lane, and explore the farmyard with costumed guides.

Insider Tip: One final note about visiting any beaches in Canadian national parks: dogs and other pets are not permitted from April 1^st to October 15^th, annually.