Canadian Beach Life: Top Beaches for Your Summer Vacation

Let’s face it: Canada is known for mountains, lakes, pristine wilderness, hockey, snow, and friendly people, but beaches are not high on the list.

While Wasaga might not be as appealing as the Caribbean is when it lies under two feet of snow, it doesn’t mean we don’t have it good on the beachfront in the summertime.

With the warm weather upon us, many Canadians are looking to spend their vacation here in Canada. We've put together a list of five cool beaches that should probably win awards (oh, and don’t forget your sunscreen!).

1.    Old Woman Bay (ON)

The drive around the Northern shore of Lake Superior is one of the most spectacular drives in Ontario. The impressive wind and wide-open, sea-like view reveal the magnitude of a place the French, four centuries ago, called la mer douce, or the freshwater sea. Stop at Old Woman Bay, near Wawa. Behind you, century-old pines, and stretching out east to west beyond this little sandy cove, a shoreline of granite boulders and slabs. 

2.    Plage de Cap-aux-Os (QC)

The Gaspésie road trip is a pilgrimage for many French-Canadians, who embark on the 14h journey with food and a tent. At the end of it, after hundreds of kilometres of fjords, hilly farmlands, boreal forests, and a river that grows wider and wider until you end up at the lower lip of the St-Lawrence, where its mouth opens unto the Atlantic. 
Stop by Plage de Cap-aux-Os, where impressive cliff faces cradle broad stretches of dark yellow sand, and the fresh, saltwater breeze is sweet on the nose. You have to see this awe-inspiring destination for yourself; I promise you will rave about it for years to come. 

3.    Salmon Cove Sands (NL)

Salmon Cove Sands is a beautiful stretch of black sand beach that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. While “chilly” is an understatement when describing its waters, this cove contains impressive towering rock formations. Behind them, the sunrise. While beaches and sunsets go hand-in-hand, what better way to start your day than to watch the sun rise over the ocean, and slowly reach the point where it’s hot enough for an ice-cold dip? 

4.    Chesterman Beach (BC)

A mythical beach to most Canadians, you could call this nearly 3km white sand expanse the edge of the world. On the western side of Vancouver Island, a few kilometers south of Tofino, this beach offers a view of the Pacific Ocean and one of the most famous Canadian sunsets. Over 7,000km of oceanic blue separates this beach from the next one, located in Japan. But look behind you and you’ll see pristine old growth wilderness, great for hiking and fly fishing. And perhaps on the tide you’ll see a few surfers catching a wave. 

5.    Sylvan Beach (AB)

Last August, I hopped across the boulders of Lake Louise's shore and foolishly dove into the icy blue water. Fifteen minutes later, my body still numb from shock, I thought to myself, “there must be a place in Rocky Mountain Country where you can swim comfortably”.

That’s when I stumbled upon Sylvan Lake, a stretch of sand that wraps around the lake that bears its name. Roughly halfway between Calgary and Edmonton, this beach gives you the best of both worlds: on one hand, you have the Rockies in the backdrops, stunning and imposing as ever; but on the other hand, you have water that is not glacial and freezing.

Don’t Forget Your Sunscreen!

Before you pack your bags, a word of caution. For many, a sunburn is the first sign of a well-spent summer’s day. 

But sunscreen doesn’t prevent you from having a memorable beach day; it helps you do it safely. 

Consider stocking up on our mineral sunscreens before heading to your new favourite beach. Why, you ask?

1. They provide effective UVA and UVB protection;
2. They spread easily and absorb quickly, so you don’t end up with a white cast or oily skin.
3. They are clinically proven to be hypoallergenic, so they don’t cause skin irritation. That makes them ideal for sensitive skin.
4. Being 100% natural, our sunscreens are safe for our lakes, rivers, and oceans, so you can swim knowing you aren’t hurting aquatic plants and wildlife.

Canada may not be the first country that comes to mind when you think of beach vacations, but it has countless hidden gems. From the rugged Atlantic coastline to the wild Pacific shore, Canada boasts countless beaches worth visiting.

So this summer, whether you’re road-tripping through Gaspésie or chasing sunsets in Tofino, don’t underestimate what Canadian beaches have to offer. Pack some snacks (and water!), protect your skin, and we promise you’ll have a summer to remember.