9 coastal destinations in Canada with bright turquoise water that feel like the Mediterranean
You'll forget you're in the True North at these spots. 🌊
A person at a beach in Ontario. Right: A beach with turquoise water in Canada.
Dreaming of crystal-clear waters and sun-soaked beaches? You don't need a plane ticket to experience blue-water beaches that look like they belong in Greece or Italy. These incredible beaches in Canada offer clear, turquoise-blue water that you have to see to believe.
From the East Coast to the West, these stunning beaches and swimming spots boast some truly spectacular scenery — think Mediterranean vibes but with that signature Canadian charm.
Whether you want a laid-back beach day or you're after a bit of adventure, these destinations will make you feel like you've been transported abroad, with no plane ticket required.
Here are nine coastal destinations across the country with stunning blue water to check out this summer.
Grand Bend Beach
Location: Grand Bend, Ontario
Why You Need To Go: Known as one of Canada's best beach towns, Grand Bend is home to a stunning beach that's a summer hotspot.
Grand Bend's Main Beach has had Blue Flag status since 2009, and it is recognized for meeting strict standards of excellence in water quality, safety levels and environmental education and services.
The sandy beach offers expansive views of Lake Huron and clear blue water that often has a turquoise hue. A boardwalk spans the length of the beach, perfect for a leisurely stroll. You'll also find washrooms, volleyball nets, and a children's playground here.
The downtown area of Grand Bend is the main hub for beachgoers, where you can find dozens of restaurants, snack bars, shops, nightlife, and more.
Grand Bend website
Carters Beach
Location: Port Mouton, Nova Scotia
Why You Need To Go: Carters Beach Provincial Park is a natural environment park featuring a white-sand beach backed by gentle dunes.
The beach is actually made up of three crescent beaches, each with soft white sand and stunning clear, turquoise water that makes it look more like an island in Greece than a beach in Canada.
Keep an eye out for sand dollars, which can often be found along the shore, as well as starfish, which you may be able to spot below the water's surface.
A beach parking lot is available on Central Port Mouton Road, with restrooms. A second lot is open at Carters Beach Road, but be aware that parking here is usually limited.
Tribune Bay
Location: Hornby Island, BC
Why You Need To Go: Known as Canada's "Little Hawaii," Tribune Bay is a gorgeous spot on Hornby Island. Here, you'll find white, sandy beaches with aquamarine waters that will make you forget you're in Canada.
The area doesn't just look tropical—Tribune Bay's shallow waters meet near-tropical temperatures during the summer, and the bay is considered to be one of the warmest saltwater swimming areas in the province.
Here, you can find sand dollars and may also spot crabs and jellyfish. The crystal-clear water makes it a beautiful spot to go snorkelling to see all sorts of sea creatures.
Just a short stroll from the bay you can find eclectic shops, and Hornby Island also offers an array of restaurants, vineyards, wineries, farms and markets to explore.
Ingonish Beach
Location: Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
Why You Need To Go: Located on Cape Breton Island, Ingonish Beach and Freshwater Lake offer golden-sand shores perfect for a summer day.
The stretch of beach is located right between the ocean and a small lake, meaning you can go from saltwater to freshwater in just a few steps. The water here can often take on a blueish green hue, with a pristine shore.
The beach is easily accessible from the Cabot Trail and offers a playground, tennis courts, soccer field, and picnic area.
In the community, you'll find accommodations, places to eat, boat tours, whale watching and more.
Katherine Cove
Location: Algoma, Ontario
Why You Need To Go: Katherine Cove in Lake Superior Provincial Park is an Ontario gem. The majestic destination offers warmer, shallower waters for swimmers to enjoy.
A short trail from the beach area leads to Bathtub Island, a shallow, natural basin that warms up quickly in the summer and is perfect for a nice dip. The waters in the basin can often look light blueish green and are idyllic for floating in.
Surrounding the "bathtub" are the more refreshing, cooler waters of Lake Superior, which are just as beautiful.
Sauble Beach
Location: Bruce County, Ontario
Why You Need To Go: Sauble Beach is known as the "Daytona of the North," and it's not hard to see why.
Like the city in Florida, the beach offers gorgeous white sand and crystal-clear water that heats up nicely in the summer and takes on a beautiful greenish-blue colour.
The beach is also home to some incredible sunsets, so be sure to stick around to see the sky transform with spectacular colours. You'll find plenty of things to do on the main strip and in the area, including restaurants and snack bars, and beachwear and souvenir shops.
Steep Rock Beach
Location: Steep Rock, Manitoba
Why You Need To Go: Located on the shores of Lake Manitoba, Steep Rock Beach is a pebble beach known for its amazing limestone cliff formations and breathtaking sunsets.
The beach's secret coves and blue-green water make it seem more like a swimming hole you'd find in Europe rather than Canada.
Here, you can explore the natural caves created by years of erosion, swim in crystal-clear waters, or just soak up the sun on the beach surrounded by stunning views.
A number of trails can be found around Steep Rock Beach Park, as well as amenities, including picnic shelters, cooking pits, a cafe and a general store.
Pinery Beach
Location: Grand Bend, Ontario
Why You Need To Go: Located in Pinery Provincial Park, Pinery Beach is a breathtaking white-sand destination on the shores of Lake Huron. It offers rolling coastal dunes and bright blue water that'll make you forget you're in the True North.
The 10-kilometre beach boasts stunning bright blue water that looks more like something you'd find in Italy rather than Canada. You can take a dip in the crystal clear waters of the lake and lounge on the soft sand shore for an incredible summer day.
The park is also renowned for its sunsets, so you'll want to stay late to catch the golden views.
Tobermory
Location: Ontario
Why You Need To Go: Tobermory is a harbour town on Ontario's Bruce Peninsula that's surrounded by crystal-clear waters.
The town is home to two stunning national parks — Bruce Peninsula National Park and Fathom Five Marine Park, which have clear, turquoise waters.
One popular spot is the area is the Grotto, a swimming spot where you'll find dramatic sea caves and limestone cliffs overlooking the Georgian Bay.
For a slightly less rugged swimming spot, there's also Little Cove Beach, a rock beach on the Lake Huron shoreline with clear, turquoise water surrounded by striking landscapes.
The waters here can be chilly, but make for a refreshing dip on hot summer days. Be aware that parking lots for the Grotto and Little Cove Beach fill up fast, especially in the warm months, and reservations are required during certain times of the year.
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.
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