8 Canadian Beaches To Add To Your Summer Itinerary

There’s a short and sweet window of time for Canadians to hit the beach. Looking for a secluded spot to dig your toes in the sand? There’s no shortage of glorious shorelines to explore. Add a visit to one of these hidden gems to your summer itinerary and check some of the best beaches in Canada off your bucket list.

The best Canadian beaches to visit in 2024

Combers Beach, Tofino, B.C.

Take a short hike through the lush rainforest of Pacific Rim National Park and you’ll reach Combers Beach, with its fine white sand and weather-worn driftwood. Get inspiration from the locals and bring a surfboard.

Bennett Lake Beach, Carcross, Y.T.

At the northeast tip of Lake Bennett, an hour south of Whitehorse, a peaceful ribbon of lakeshore opens onto a scenic mountain view. Plan your visit in mid-summer, when the sun never sets.

Middlebrun Bay Beach, Thunder Bay, Ont.

(Photo: Courtesy of Ontario Parks)

To get to this secluded stretch of Lake Superior, follow an easy five-kilometre trail through Sleeping Giant Provincial Park. Once there, wander the serene lakeshore and pretend you’re on a private beach.

Horseshoe Beach, Heron Bay, Ont.

(Photo: iStock)

Located in Pukaskwa National Park on the shores of Lake Superior—near Terrace Bay, Ont.—Horseshoe Beach is a stunning expanse of golden sand surrounded by majestic pines.

Aguanish Beach, Aguanish, Que.

Located on Quebec’s North Coast, Aguanish Beach runs along the shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It’s no day trip from Quebec’s metropolitan centres—the drive is 14 hours from Montreal—but make the trek and you can spend a night sleeping on the beach, thanks to the on-site campground.

Grand-Anse Beach, Grand-Anse, NB

(Photo: François Foulem)

A two-and-a-half-hour drive north of Moncton, the picturesque coastal village of Grande-Anse is home to a saltwater beach nestled among towering walls of wave-battered rock. It’s an idyllic spot for birdwatching, long sunset walks and beach sports.

Hawk Beach, Cape Sable Island, N.S.

(Photo: Jake Brenner Photo)

The pristine white sands of Hawk Beach sit at the southernmost tip of Nova Scotia. From there, you can catch a glimpse of Cape Sable, the province’s tallest lighthouse. Stick around for low tide, when the receding waves reveal the petrified tree stumps of a 1,500 year-old drowned forest, which remains rooted in place.

Thunder Cove Beach, Darnley, P.E.I.

An hour outside of Charlottetown, the rich red sands and sandstone cliffs of Thunder Cove Beach make a picture-perfect backdrop. The shallow water is ideal for an afternoon of wading or beachcombing.