20 Canadian Beaches You Must Visit This Summer

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.

Wasaga Beach - Wasaga Beach Provincial Park, Ontario

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. You might also like: Swimsuit styles celebrities love.

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.

You might also like: the #1 swimsuit style you need this summer.

Manitou Beach - Little Manitou Lake, Saskatchewan

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.

You might also like: plus-size swimsuits that are absolutely stunning.

Devonshire Beach - Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park, Alberta

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.

You might also like: 12 Canadian road trips you need to take at least once.

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.

You might also like: the 20 most beautiful places in Canada to see in 2019.

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!

Singing Sands - Basin Head Provincial Park, Prince Edward Island

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. You might also like: topping up your summer with the best hats in 2019.

Sandbanks Beach - Sandbanks Provincial Park, Ontario

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.

Martinique Beach - Martinique Beach Provincial Park, Nova Scotia

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.

You might also like: 20 underrated Canadian towns you should visit.

Clam Harbour Beach - Clam Harbour Provincial Park, Nova Scotia

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.

You might also like: 20 best long weekend destinations from Toronto.

Grand Beach - Grand Beach Provincial Park, Manitoba

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. You might also like: how to avoid ridiculously expensive data charges.

Parlee Beach - Pointe-du-Chêne, New Brunswick

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.

You might also like: these are the most mysterious islands in Canada.

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.

Havre-Aubert Beach - Magdalen Islands, Quebec

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.

You might also like: 11 things travellers pack but never use.

Salmon Cove Sands - Salmon Cove, Newfoundland

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. You might also like: the 20 best places to visit in June.

Wreck Beach - Vancouver, British Columbia

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. For more, don't miss the best cities in Canada during the summer.