Canada's best beaches in 2021
Canada has a beach for everything from family vacations to extreme sports.
In Canada, a beach holiday isn't always about sunshine, ice cream and swimming in the ocean. You might also meet a bear or throw a snowball instead of a pebble. But don't be discouraged — 6 out of 13 Canadian provinces and territories have ice-free access to the open ocean and sandy beaches which are bordered by large lakes.
So, the top 10 Canadian beaches in 2021 according to international portal Lonely Planet.
San Josef Bay, British Columbia — Best Desert Beach
Vancouver Island is known for its exuberant weather and wild beaches. A 2.5-kilometre dirt road through the settlement of Port Hardy leads to San Josef Bay. On the sandy beach, you'll be greeted by wind and noisy surf, as well as bushes and trees that are occasionally plagued by storms.
Stanhope Beach, Prince Edward Island — A beach without the crowds
The huge, sandy hillside beach in the north of Prince Edward Island has far fewer tourists than neighbouring beaches. So Stanhope is the perfect place for a quiet stroll without the hustle and bustle. And to the west of the beach you can find the lighthouse and the beautiful Renaissance style hotel, built in 1895.
Wasaga Beach, Ontario — The best beach for swimming
Among other things, Canada boasts the longest freshwater beach in the world. This spot in the city of Wasaga stretches for 14 kilometres along Georgian Bay on Lake Guron. It's the closest full-fledged beach resort to Toronto, so it gets a lot of vacationers in season. Another feature of Wasaga Beach is that, as part of a provincial park, it is equipped with trails and surrounded by a nature reserve where you can see owls and woodpeckers. The water is warm and shallow, so it's safe for the whole family to swim.
Chesterman Beach, British Columbia — The Best Surf Beach
The Tofino area of Vancouver Island is the surfing capital of Canada. Many locals call Chesterman the best beach. You can even bike to it from the city, which is a great way to get your legs in gear before you hit the Pacific waves.
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Parlee Beach, New Brunswick — The best beach for families
Parley is undoubtedly New Brunswick's best stretch of sand. It has the warmest sea in Canada, and the beach has also received International Blue Flag certification, which confirms the safety and environmental friendliness of the place. The beach itself is covered with soft golden sand and the water here is shallow. At the height of summer, Parley Beach is patrolled by lifeguards around the clock.
Kitsilano, British Columbia — The City's Best Beach
Kitsilano is considered the best city beach not only in Vancouver, but in all of Canada. Volleyball is a favourite game of the locals, but sometimes you can find people playing soccer or Frisbee on the grass. In addition to the beautiful sea views, you can also admire the mountains and skyscrapers, go boating in English Bay or sit in cool cafes.
Shallow Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador — the best beach for kayaking
A shallow bay, a long beach and picturesque sunsets are all about Shellow Bay. The bay resembles the Caribbean Sea, except the water temperature is only +15 degrees. But kayaking, an extreme type of boating, is popular here. If you're lucky, you might spot a whale in the water.
Annette Lake, Alberta — the best wildlife beach
The province of Alberta has no access to the sea, but it does have lakes. And it's hard to beat tiny Lake Annette in Jasper National Park, with its wooded shoreline, mountains and bracingly cold water. It's also home to visitors, like grizzly bears and the more harmless moose and deer.
Plage de la Grande Échouerie, Quebec — the best beach for kitesurfing
Administratively, this beach belongs to Quebec, but it is actually located closer to the Maritime Provinces. Grand Ashourie is a 10-kilometre strip of pale sand on the island of Grosse Ile. The area extends to the East Point National Wildlife Refuge, and the wind makes the beach the best for kitesurfing or flying kites.
Dunes Beach, Ontario — The best sand dune beach
Sandbanks Provincial Park, a 2.5-hour drive from Toronto, has three fabulous beaches at once. The most tranquil and interesting of them all is Dune Beach. It is surrounded by the clear waters of West Lake, from which rise giant dunes dotted with trees and shrubs. So in addition to the usual swimming and lounging on the sand, there's also the temptation to hike the hills.
