The Best Secret Beaches In Canada
Wellington Beach in Prince Edward County, Ontario. (Photo, Daniel Vaughan)
Canadian summers are unfairly short, with only a handful of perfect weeks when the nearest body of water won't give you hypothermia. All the more reason to find a perfect beach where you needn't battle for prime blanket space. Here's your guide to the most picturesque and swimmable, and still relatively undiscovered beaches.
Tribune Bay, Hornby Island, B.C.
It’s not easy to get there, but the saltwater swimming haven is well worth hopping on a ferry (or two). The locals call it “Little Hawaii” thanks to the white sand and postcard-perfect waters that warm to near-tropical temperatures by July. env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks
Sombrio Beach, Juan de Fuca Provincial Park, B.C.
The waves make this a go-to spot for savvy surfers who don’t want to fight for the day’s gnarliest breaks. Hang 10 on the black sand beaches or go in search of the secret waterfall. env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks
Manitou Beach, Sask.
There are certainly prettier Prairie beaches, but what’s happening here is beneath the surface. Little Manitou Lake contains three times the mineral density of the ocean, which means you’ll float on the surface, and it may even clear up your psoriasis. manitoubeach.ca
Katherine Cove, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ont.
This secluded strip of powder-fine sand is a short walk from a must-hit natural landmark: Bathtub Island, a rock depression that creates a pool within a lake. The water is shallow (and warm!) and perfect to relax in. ontarioparks.com
Gibraltar Point Beach, Centre Island, Toronto
The furthest beach from Toronto’s ferry terminal, this isn’t the main one (Centre) nor the one for nudists (Hanlan’s Point). The water is deep, the beach is clean and the party is elsewhere. Which is exactly the point. toronto.ca
Elora Quarry, Elora, Ont.
This former limestone quarry is about two hours from Toronto, but squint and you’d swear it’s Lake Como, Italy, with its turquoise waters and 40-foot rock formations. Novelty floaties and other hipster beach paraphernalia are strongly encouraged. grandriver.ca
Groves Point Provincial Park, N.S.
A small pebble-and-sand strip surrounded by pristine parklands, this secluded spot is special for its inland ocean access—meaning you can swim in salt water that isn’t freezing or choppy (in Nova Scotia, no less). novascotia.com
Wellington Rotary Beach, Prince Edward County, Ont.
Sandbanks is the best-known beach in the county. But if you’d rather avoid the crowds (and skip the parking fee), this is a slightly stonier alternative—complete with its own boardwalk. prince-edward-county.com
Old-Harry Beach, Magdalen Islands, Que.
Located (logically) on Old-Harry Bay, this beach has eight and a half kilometres of uninterrupted sand, along with red rock headlands and potential for seal sightings. tourismeilesdelamadeleine.com
Tea Hill Beach, Tea Hill Park, P.E.I.
Come for the red sand and mild ocean winds; stay for the local tradition of sea-glass hunting. During low tide you can walk out almost a full kilometre, so pickings are generally good. townofstratford.ca
