7 stunning beach destinations in Canada to escape to if you're skipping Florida this year
Summer is creeping up fast, and if you're dreaming of soft sand, golden hour beach vibes and turquoise waters — but don't feel like hopping on a flight to Florida — we've got you covered.
While the Sunshine State is a go-to vacation spot for many, Canada is seriously slept on when it comes to stunning beach destinations. It boasts a wealth of hidden gems with white sand shores and ocean (or lake!) views that are just as swoon-worthy, minus the passport and sweltering heat.
Whether you're craving white sand beaches or tropical waters, these seven Canadian beach destinations prove you don’t need to leave the country to feel like you're on vacation.
Sauble Beach
Price: Free entry
Address: Lakeshore Boulevard North, Sauble Beach, Ontario
Why You Need To Go: On the shores of Lake Huron and less than 3 hours from Toronto, Sauble Beach is known as the "Daytona of the North," and it's easy to see why.
The beach boasts a pristine shoreline, with water that often takes on an aquamarine hue and heats up well in the late summer months. Pair this with 7 kilometres of soft white sand, and it's not hard to see why it's one of Canada's top-rated freshwater beaches.
Outside of swimming in the lake or lying on the sand, there are tons of things to do here. The main strip has restaurants, snack bars, clothing stores, and more to enjoy.
The beach is also well known for its sunsets, so be sure to stick around until the sun goes down.
Carter's Beach
Price: Free entry
Address: 661 Central Port Mouton Rd., Port Mouton, NS
Why You Need To Go: Carter's Beach in Nova Scotia is an incredibly tropical-looking area where you'll find clear turquoise water and white sand.
The beach can be found in Port Mouton, a village on Nova Scotia's South Shore about an hour and 45 minutes from Halifax, in Carter's Beach Provincial Park. Here, you'll find a shoreline that actually makes up three white sand beaches, backed by dunes, a salt marsh and a forest.
You can lie on the sand here or look for shells, sand dollars and marine life by the water. Just be aware — the water temperature can be chilly.
Carter's Beach websiteTribune Bay Beach
Price: Free entry
Address: Tribune Bay Park, Hornby Island, BC
Why You Need To Go: Tribune Bay is a breathtaking spot on Hornby Island, a small gem near Vancouver Island. Here, you'll find 1 kilometre of white, sandy beaches with clear aquamarine waters that will make you forget you're in Canada — so much so that locals call the area "Little Hawaii."
But the water here doesn't just look tropical — it also feels it. 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 along the shore, and you may also spot crabs and jellyfish. The crystal-clear water makes it a perfect spot to go snorkelling.
A five-minute walk from the bay will bring you to downtown Hornby Island, where you'll find shops and services.
Grand Bend Beach
Price: Free entry
Address: 90 Main St. W., Grand Bend, ON
Why You Need To Go: Known as one of Canada's best beach towns, Grand Bend is home to a stunning beach with bright blue water and soft sand. The beach offers pristine shores, a scenic boardwalk and epic sunsets.
Grand Bend's Main Beach has had Blue Flag status for over a decade, and 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. Along the town's main strip, a variety of restaurants, shops, and nightlife can be found.
Parlee Beach
Price: $17.39 per vehicle
Address: Parlee Beach Provincial Park, 45 Parlee Beach Rd., Pointe-du-Chêne, NB
Why You Need To Go: Parlee Beach in Pointe-Du-Chêne, New Brunswick, has been called one of North America’s finest beaches thanks to its golden sand and surprisingly warm water.
The beach is home to the warmest salt water in Canada thanks to the Northumberland Strait, a shallow body of water that warms up quickly under the summer sun, and the warm current of the Gulf Stream.
Waters in this area reach temperatures of up to 29 degrees — that's warmer than an Olympic swimming pool, warmer than anything north of Virginia, and unlike most Canadian beaches.
The park offers a variety of beach activities throughout the summer, as well as mobility features like mobi-chairs and mobi-mats to make the beach more accessible. Nearby, you'll find shopping, restaurants and the World’s Largest Lobster sculpture.
Pinery Beach
Price: $10.84+ per vehicle
Address: 9526 Lakeshore Rd., Grand Bend, ON
Why You Need To Go: Pinery Beach is a breathtaking beach on the shores of Lake Huron where you'll find rolling coastal dunes, 10 kilometres of sandy shore, and bright blue water that looks like it belongs in the tropics.
Here, you can take a dip in the crystal-clear waters of the lake and lounge on the soft sand for the perfect summer day. Besides swimming, there are lots of other activities to do in the park, including walking trails, a bike trail and the Old Ausable Channel, a provincially significant wetland that can be explored by canoe or kayak.
The park is also renowned for its sunsets, so be sure to stay late enough to catch the golden views.
Port Dover Beach
Price: Free entry
Address: 1 Walker St., Port Dover, ON
Why You Need To Go: Located in Port Dover, a beautiful resort town with friendly people, you'll find a scenic beach with lots of nearby sights and activities.
Port Dover Beach is a pleasant beach with golden shores and real palm trees, which are brought in each year by the Beach House Restaurant. Lounging on a beach with palm trees swaying in the breeze, it'd be easy to forget you're still in Canada.
Here, you can take a dip in the waters of Lake Erie, the shallowest and warmest of the Great Lakes, or lie out on the sand under the sun.
The downtown core is just steps away from the beach, where you can find quaint boutiques, restaurants, and cafes. Port Dover's pier is a scenic point to look out onto the water and watch the fishing tugs return with their catches.
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.
