As the country with the world’s longest coastline, it’s a given that Canada would have plenty of beaches to choose from. And when you add the many beaches on lakes, you have to agree that we’re pretty spoiled for choice – picking 20 wasn’t easy. But these beaches are some of the best in the land… and ones you really should put on your (sand) bucket list.

Tourism Ontario
1 / 20
Wasaga Beach – Wasaga Beach Provincial Park, Ontario
According to the Toronto Sun, Wasaga Beach is a popular summer destination for Ontarians. It's the world's longest freshwater beach and areas 1, 2 and 5 have been given Blue Flag status recently. Blue Flag status is an eco-certification for cleanliness, safety and environmental standards.

Ruth Hartnup/Flickr
2 / 20
Cox Bay – Tofino, British Columbia
Expedia says that Cox Bay is a great choice if you're travelling with kids. At low tide, you may find seastars and barnacles in the tidal caves at the northern end of the beach. Cox Bay is considered one of Canada's best surfing beaches.
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Russ Heinl/Destination BC
3 / 20
Long Beach – Tofino, British Columbia
Reader's Digest picked another Tofino beach as one to visit. Long Beach is part of Vancouver Island's longest sand dune, and in the warmer months you can spot grey whales.
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Kevin Hogarth Photography/Saskatchewan Tourism
4 / 20
Manitou Beach – Little Manitou Lake, Saskatchewan
Another choice is Manitou Beach on the shores of Little Manitou Lake, about 120 km from Saskatoon. The real attraction here is the lake itself, which has such high salinity levels that it's Canada's version of the Dead Sea.
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Slave Lake Region
5 / 20
Devonshire Beach – Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park, Alberta
Devonshire Beach is often considered to be one of Alberta's best beaches. Its soft sand stretches over 1.5 km.
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Ontario Tourism
6 / 20
Grand Bend, Ontario
The beach at Grand Bend is the star attraction at this popular holiday village on the shores of Lake Huron. There are actually two main beaches, with the northern one for the hip and happening crowd and the southern one for families who want something quieter, according to Reader's Digest.
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Thinkstock
7 / 20
Brackley Beach, Prince Edward Island
According to Expedia, Brackley Beach has a special offering that will appeal not only to the kids, but to your inner child too: sandcastle-building classes!

Theo/Flickr
8 / 20
Singing Sands – Basin Head Provincial Park, Prince Edward Island
Reader's Digest singles out another of Prince Edward Island's many great beaches: Singing Sands, or Basin Head Beach, makes a squeaking sound when you walk on it, as if it is singing.
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C. Löser/Wikimedia Commons
9 / 20
Sandbanks Beach – Sandbanks Provincial Park, Ontario
According to the Toronto Sun, the Sandbanks Provincial Park is home to the largest freshwater sandbar and dune system. Those dunes make for perfect photo opportunities.

Dr Wilson/Wikimedia Commons
10 / 20
Ingonish Beach – Ingonish, Nova Scotia
Today's Parent says that Ingonish Beach offers you the best of both when you can't decide between warm and cold. The calm, warm water of Freshwater Lake is separated from the cold Atlantic by a dividing wall.

Destination Halifax
11 / 20
Martinique Beach – Martinique Beach Provincial Park, Nova Scotia
Reader's Digest suggests Nova Scotia's longest beach for its golden sands but also the excellent conditions for surfing and paddleboarding. The park is a birdwatching paradise as well.
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Scott Munn/Nova Scotia Tourism Agency
12 / 20
Clam Harbour Beach – Clam Harbour Provincial Park, Nova Scotia
Another Nova Scotia beach suggested by Today's Parent is Clam Harbour, which features a tidal stream which you can float down.

Ontario Tourism
13 / 20
Sauble Beach, Ontario
Sauble Beach on Lake Huron is the world's second longest freshwater beach. According to the Toronto Sun, this is the perfect beach for families with young kids because the sandbars keep the water warm and shallow.
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Travel Manitoba
14 / 20
Grand Beach – Grand Beach Provincial Park, Manitoba
Expedia suggests Grand Beach on Lake Winnipeg, the sixth largest lake in Canada, as another great option if you're looking for warm and shallow water. East Grand Beach is popular with families while West Grand Beach has Blue Flag status. At West Beach, the water flows in and out of a natural lagoon.

Chris Hunkeler/Flickr
15 / 20
Bennett Beach – Carcross, Yukon
Reader's Digest says that Bennett Beach offers spectacular panoramic views. After all, sometimes you do want snow-capped mountains with your soft beach sand.
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Tourism New Brunswick,
16 / 20
Parlee Beach – Pointe-du-Chêne, New Brunswick
According to Today's Parent, Parlee Beach has the warmest salt water in Canada. If this isn't reason enough to visit, there is a host of activities to try here in summer, including beach volleyball.
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Tourisme Quebec
17 / 20
Plage des Cantons – Magog, Quebec
There are three beaches in Magog. Expedia says that Plage des Cantons is a great place for a picnic but that there's also plenty to see and do even before you reach the beach.

Tourisme Îles de la Madeleine
18 / 20
Havre-Aubert Beach – Magdalen Islands, Quebec
The main beach on Havre-Aubert Island stretches over 12 km. According to Reader's Digest, it's home to the biggest sandcastle contest in the world, which takes place in August.
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Vicky TH/Flickr
19 / 20
Salmon Cove Sands – Salmon Cove, Newfoundland
Today's Parent points out the stroller-friendly boardwalk at Salmon Cove Sands, which makes it easy to access the beach even if you have small kids. The beach is surrounded by cliffs that you can hike.
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Kyle Pearce/Flickr
20 / 20
Wreck Beach – Vancouver, British Columbia
Located next to the University of British Columbia, Wreck Beach stretches over 7 km and, as the Toronto Sun says, it's probably Canada's most famous clothing-optional beach. This makes it the perfect option for you if you dread getting tan lines.
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