Best Canadian Beach Towns
Canada's secret beach scene is surprising, with plentiful and diverse beaches to roam and lounge on. From the wild east coast with its maritime culture to the vibrant west coast with Vancouver and beautiful lakesides in between, you will quickly find your summer escape or a refreshing stop along a road trip. These gems throughout the great nation are local respites, national destinations, and great discoveries for tourists from the US and around the globe. Find beautiful beaches, lakes, and Pince Edward Island (PEI), the smallest province surrounded by beautiful waters with easy access and a remote feel.
From the Rockies to state parks and national forests, the natural world abounds with every activity and recreation by the shores, along with refreshing waters to cool off after your explorations. Choose from the maritime Atlantic coast with plenty of fishing villages, the mountainous lakeside enclaves in the west, or the Pacific coast with quick access to the glam of Vancouver and Victoria. Stumble upon great lakeside towns in Ontario, British Columbia, and even the prairie province of Saskatchewan, with over 100,000 lakes.
Cavendish, Prince Edward Island
Cavendish is a little seaside town in the smallest Canadian province, ideal for a tranquil getaway complete with a beach and a remote feel. Enjoy a family getaway or a trip through Canada with friends to the famed Cavendish Beach on PEI's north shore with Gulf of St. Lawrence views. Home to under 500 residents and scores of visitors during the summer, there are plenty of affordable services, like great restaurants, amenities, and attractions, all near outdoor activities.
Explore in and around town, like the 19th and early 20th century buildings still standing from the time Cavendish was getting by as an agricultural village. The town gained fame when, in 1908, Lucy Maud Montgomery used it as a setting for her iconic Anne of Green Gables novel series. Revel in the small town feel and endless scenery of the open waters from the red cliffs and along the miles of sand, lapped by the warm ocean waves.
Grand Bend, Ontario
This little town is one of Canada’s most popular beach destinations along the vast and beautiful shores of Lake Huron. Discover Grand Bend for yourself—a delightful slice of heaven with a cute Main Street fringed by long stretches of sand. Take a stroll and lounge along the beach, lapped by crystal-blue waters unlike anywhere else. Enjoy strolls or easy-going recreation until the stunning scenery takes your breath away.
Grand Bend takes pride in its beach scene; it has Blue Flag status for quality water and safety. It is also recognized by National Geographic as having some of the prettiest sunsets in the world! Head downtown to mingle with friendly residents along the pretty streets with shops, restaurants, and lakeside living amenities. This world-destination town is about an hour northwest of London, Ontario, less than an hour northeast of Sarnia, and just over an hour and a half from Kitchener. It is also only about 2 hours from the border of Michigan and Detroit for those wanting to border hop to check out quieter beach regions.
Invermere, British Columbia
This town, in the embrace of the Rockies, is British Columbia's pride and joy and a national destination to exchange the steel city for a dreamy beachside with mountain views. Find Invermere in the interior of the province, along the Windermere Lake banks, to discover why it isn't just your typical beach town. There is plenty to do on land and in the water, with an unwaveringly warm climate during the summer to stay outdoors. This is due to the protection from the Rocky Mountains, which blocks wind gusts or a drop in temperature.
Lounge along the lakes and hot springs, or stay active with world-class hiking and biking trails nearby. There are also ziplining and delightful strolls through the local farmer's market to absorb the mountainside lifestyle by the lake. Return for wintertime skiing with the world-famous Fairmont Hot Springs Resort only a short drive away. Invermere will meet and exceed your beach time desires after a scenic, nearly six-hour drive from either Kelowna, British Columbia, or Edmonton, Alberta, or just over three hours from Calgary, Alberta. For those from across the border, Invermere is a stunning 5-hour drive from Spokane, Washington, winding through the scenic mountains of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests.
Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia
This surf town, recognized by beachgoers from around the great nation, is also a highly sought-after destination among North Americans. Explore Lawrencetown on a stroll or a joyous bike ride with its unique vibe, attractions galore, and perfect surf year-round. Due to the strong rip tides and currents, areas of the park are often supervised in July and August, and swimmers and surfers must be cautious in the water.
Lawrencetown Beach Provincial Park, lapped by some of the best waves in North America, draws a non-stop string of tourists who find plenty to do in and out of the waters. Enjoy strolls along several boardwalks, local restaurants, and waterside vacation rentals. Take an easy, almost nonexistent commute of about half an hour from Halifax and Dartmouth. You will quickly see why this little town is such a magnet.
Manitou Beach, Saskatchewan
It is easy to find great lakeside recreation in Canada, even inland, like in Saskatchewan, with over 100,000 lakes. The small town of Manitou Beach, on the shores of Little Manitou Lake, is a favorite with a serene atmosphere and friendly vibes to relax and play by the waters. The lake, dubbed the Dead Sea of Canada because of its high salt content, will refresh and relax your back muscles as you feel the stress flow away while effortlessly floating or swimming.
Bask all day long under the warm summer sun above this prairie province as you explore the peace-inducing atmosphere and pure environment around you. Seek more saline content through the town's mineral spas and visit cool galleries, like G G's Gallery And Gifts and Little Manitou Art Gallery—a great pride in Manitou Beach. You can also play mini-golf, indulge yourself in retail therapy, or go dancing at a local club. Find Manitou Beach just an hour and a half from Saskatoon on your journey through Canada, or five hours north of Glasgow, Montana, for the most delightful getaway wrapped in a cute beach town atmosphere.
Pointe du Chêne, New Brunswick
Experience the warmest saltwater in Canada at Pointe du Chêne, a quintessential New Brunswick beach town on Shediac Bay. Find Pointe du Chene, or "La Pointe," on the east coast of Canada, with rich maritime culture, complete with the fantastic Parlee Beach. Enjoy warm summer days lounging and floating effortlessly along the waters under the sun. The proximate Gulf Stream, which originates in Florida, sends warm currents for pleasant swims along the shallow shores, which are perfect for kids.
Enjoy days of splashing and waterside recreation, but also explore the gamut of activities nearby. Choose a hike through Parlee Beach Provincial Park's nature trails, utilize the campgrounds, and find a hotel near the beach to extend your getaway. Unwind on a relaxing beach escape and take a drive around to explore the quaint nearby towns for amenities and attractions, like nearby Shediac, or Moncton which is 20 minutes away.
Shediac, New Brunswick
Shediac is a lovely town for a quick getaway or a summertime vacation, along the namesake Bay, with great beaches and surprisingly calm seas. The town with a pronounced maritime vibe is a favorite among nautical fans, families, and road trippers seeking diverse pursuits on a beachside retreat. Take a hint from the "lobster capital of the world" moniker and indulge in guilt-free delights prepared any way you like throughout the town. Seek out the mascot lobster, a 90-ton, 36-foot-tall monument, for a selfie to send your friends back home, or visit in July for the Shediac Lobster Festival.
The town, first discovered by the Acadians in 1751 after the Acadian Exodus from mainland Nova Scotia, is now home to just over 6,500 residents. Discover the deep heritage and vibrant culture amid all the midday attractions relevant to a beachside getaway, like outdoor cafes, stores, galleries, and seafood restaurants. Immerse yourself in the local lifestyle outdoors at the Shediac International Flea Market, one of Atlantic Canada's largest open-air markets, and the fantastic, free public beach. The pleasant waters along this ocean coast reach up to 24 °C (75 °F) during the summer, allowing you to enjoy days along the expansive sand beach of Parlee with lodging options and other pursuits at hand.
Tofino, British Columbia
Find this fancy beach town with the world-famous Long Beach with a 10-mile stretch of sandy seashores in British Columbia, in between Clayoquot Sound, a UNESCO biosphere reserve, and the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. With a park of unparalleled biodiversity open to the public, you can enjoy days of lounging along the sands and visiting a rich natural world just next door. Tofino is a great family trip to sightsee humpback whales, bald eagles, and other unique wildlife you can rarely greet in such close proximity.
Tofino's beach, with perfect surf, caters to swimmers and wave handlers alike, and there are enough shallow spots for kids to paddle safely. Discover the curious town along the winding streets and find something to do throughout the year. Check out Driftwood Gifts, Caravan Beach Shop, and West Coast Shapes for unique memorabilia and gifts for all your friends and family upon your return. Visit in November for the three-day Oyster Festival, or check out the cozy nooks along the calm alleyways in the colder months. Follow the locals to the shore during the summer with enough space to find privacy and enjoy the pristine nature along the hiking trails. With stunning beaches, great surf, and the best seafood, it is no wonder that Tofino was named the Best Beach Town in the West and the Best Surf Town in North America.
White Rock, British Columbia
The cool coastal town is your ultimate getaway in western Canada, just under an hour from both Vancouver, British Columbia, and Bellingham, Washington, with gorgeous shores, beaches, and a pier. Find a vibrant assortment of modern restaurants and cafés wrapped in a small-town vibe with around 20,000 residents. White Rock is the nation's darling summertime escape and a must-see on a road trip through BC. Come watch the celebration of the hardy culture during the White Rock Polar Bear Plunge or visit for the White Rock Sea Festival, among other regular festivities in town.
Enjoy easy access from big cities and the Peace Arch border crossing from the US to White Rock. This beachside retreat boasts Canada's longest pier, jutting for over 1,540 feet into the sea, and is prime for sunset watching. Try sea fishing with a lost-at-sea vibe, but look out for those lobster traps that kids like to set, and join in the series of free summer concerts on the pier. The family-friendly beach is split into East Beach and West Beach by "The Hump," a small ridge in the sand, with plenty of room to sunbathe, play, fly kites, and comb for treasures in tidal pools.
Canada's beach scene astounds with small waterside towns that welcome and cater to visitors like long-lost friends. Enjoy easy access from the big cities in Canada or the US to experience the culture, and enjoy a beachside retreat as you discover the natural wonders aplenty in Canada. You will be in a prime spot for hikes, shore strolls, and mountain biking in between relaxing on the beach and camping. Find fresh seafood along the coasts, seek the cool lakeside beaches, or catch the Gulf Stream with warm waters and shallow shores for family fun. Choose a beach destination in Canada, including sandy beaches with turquoise waters, sand dunes, surfing, and more unexpected delights. These beach towns around the great nation will surprise and exceed your expectations for a quick detour or a whole vacation's worth of summertime beach vibes.
