The travel experts at Lonely Planet have dropped a list of the 25 best beaches in the world, chosen from a larger collection of 100 standout shorelines in their global beach guide. The team considered everything from local marine life and scenery to surfing conditions, vibes and accessibility.
Out of all the sandy spots around the globe, two stunning Canadian beaches made the cut — and they couldn't be more different.
According to Lonely Planet, here's what makes these beaches in Canada stand out on the world stage.
#6: Chesterman Beach, B.C.
Ranking as the sixth-best beach in the world, you'll find Chesterman Beach just outside the surf-loving town of Tofino on Vancouver Island's west coast.
It's easily one of the best places to visit in Canada if you're into breathtaking ocean views, unforgettable sunsets and epic outdoor adventures like surfing, hiking and tide-pool exploring.
This sprawling stretch of sand is actually two connected beaches — North and South Chesterman — joined by a natural sandspit that leads out to a private island at low tide.
Lonely Planet named it the "best beach for winter surf" — but also notes that it's a magical spot to explore tide pools, sea caves and coastal wildlife year-round.
The travel site points out that Chesterman is also "great for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, whale watching and observing hundreds of colourful starfish, anemones, urchins and other sea creatures that appear in tide pools."
What makes this beach especially iconic is its surf scene. In the summer, the water's calm enough for beginners to learn the ropes — with plenty of surf schools nearby.
But in winter, big swells roll in and the pros come out to play.
Located just 5 kilometres south of Tofino, Chesterman is easy to access by bike, foot or car. And yes, there's beachside parking, showers and public washrooms.
Just remember: the weather here tends to be misty and mild, so you won't find hot sunbathing temps — but you will get some jaw-dropping sunsets, moody views and wild waves.
#18: Stanhope Beach, P.E.I.
Over on the opposite coast, Stanhope Beach in Prince Edward Island National Park made the list as the 18th-best beach in the world and the "best beach for bird watching." But birds aren't the only reason to visit.
This scenic North Shore gem offers wide sandbars, warm summer waters and rolling dunes that stretch for miles. It's quieter than some of P.E.I.'s more touristy beaches — like Cavendish or Brackley — and it's a favourite among locals and cottage-goers looking for peace and space.
The boardwalks at Stanhope hover over red-gold sands and connect visitors to a sprawling coastline dotted with protected dunes — home to the endangered piping plover.
One of the area's highlights is the postcard-perfect Covehead Harbour Lighthouse, which stands at the west end of the beach. After soaking up the views, you can head over to the wharf to watch lobster boats come in or grab a fresh seafood snack.
Lonely Planet describes it as a place where "glistening wetlands meet the north coast of the Atlantic," and says you can swim, camp, walk for kilometres in either direction, or just soak in the sunset.
There's even a campground tucked in the trees near the main beach, making it easy to fall asleep to ocean sounds and wake up steps from the water.
Stanhope Beach is about 20 kilometres north of Charlottetown and is open seasonally. It also has enhanced accessibility features, surf guard services in summer and tons of amenities, so it's great for families, too. Just be sure to leave your furry friends at home — pets aren't allowed as it's a protected habitat.
If you've never been, this summer might be the perfect time to explore Canada's East Coast and see why Stanhope earned a spot on the global stage.
Lonely Planet's 25 best beaches in the world for 2025
- The Pass, Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia
- Ipanema Beach, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
- Ao Maya, Ko Phi-Phi, Krabi, Thailand
- Mnemba Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania
- Sarakiniko, Milos, Greece
- Chesterman Beach, Tofino, B.C.
- Cabo San Juan del Guía, Tayrona National Park, Colombia
- Anse Source d'Argent, La Digue, Seychelles
- Playa Balandra, La Paz, Mexico
- Punta Paloma, Cádiz, Spain
- Punta Rata Beach, Makarska Riviera, Croatia
- West Beach, Berneray, Scotland
- Rauðasandur, Westfjords, Iceland
- Pink Beach, Komodo National Park, Indonesia
- Dueodde, Bornholm, Denmark
- Keem Bay Beach, County Mayo, Ireland
- Ruby Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington, U.S.A.
- Stanhope Beach, Prince Edward Island National Park, P.E.I.
- Radhanagar, Andaman Islands, India
- Pacifico Beach, Siargao, Philippines
- Plage de Ta'ahiamanu, Mo'orea, French Polynesia
- Plage de Palombaggia, Corsica, France
- Gardner Bay, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
- Playa Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
- Playa Bahía de las Águilas, Dominican Republic
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