Long Beach

Location 20km south of Tofino, Vancouver Island

The Vibe While the pristine sands make you want to lounge on shore, you can’t visit Long Beach without enjoying the surf. Rent a wetsuit and surfboard and see if you can get upright before the day is through.

The Details Nestled between the rainforest and Vancouver Island’s Pacific Rim, Long Beach is popular for surfers of all levels because of its gentle tows and mellow winds.

Wreck Beach

Location Where the Strait of Georgia mingles with the English Bay in B.C. (that’s West Vancouver for you non-west-coasters)

The Vibe This prime-location stretch of sand is one of North America’s top nude beaches.

You’ll get a great glow sans tan lines (but don’t dare skip on the sunscreen). Plus, it’s in a great location – where else can you spend the morning skiing and the afternoon baring your buns?

Cascade Ponds

Location Just off the Trans-Canada Highway in Banff National Park.

The Vibe Shallow waters and a scenic mountain view make this perfect for a family hangout or outdoorsy date.

The Details Grab marshmallows in nearby Banff and roast them over the on-site firepits while enjoying the view of Mount Rundle.

Manitou Beach

Location 100km east of Saskatoon

The Vibe Visitors enjoy the therapeutic effects of bathing in water so buoyant it’s impossible to sink, bobbing about like rubber ducks under sunny skies.

The Details The high salinity of Little Manitou Lake is nothing short of curative (it has five times more salt than the ocean). The list of health benefits – from increasing blood circulation to preventing hair loss – is long.

Sugar Beach

Location The heart of Toronto The Vibe Once a parking lot, this city beach at the edge of Lake Ontario is now the perfect place to lounge under hot-pink umbrellas when a getaway to cottage country is not on the cards.

The Details Nestled between the Redpath Sugar Factory and Corus Entertainment headquarters, Sugar Beach also hosts concerts and film screenings.

Wasaga Beach

Location On the southern tip of Georgian Bay, a two-hour drive north of Toronto.

The Vibe The youthful atmosphere and infectious buzz of this destination will have you getting involved in the many events, activities, water sports and festivals taking place all season long.

The Details This 14-kilometre stretch is the longest freshwater beach in the world.

Sandbanks Provincial Park

Location In away-from-the-city haven Prince Edward County (for the uninitiated, that's about two hours east of Toronto). 

The Vibe With golden sand stretching across three beaches in the park, there's something for everyone at Sandbanks. (We recommend the sand dunes at sunset.) 

The Details A Sandbanks visit is the perfect way to spend time in P.E.C. in between wine tours, antique shopping and must-try foodie stops.
 

Katherine Cove

Location Tucked into the eastern shore of Lake Superior, 155 kilometres north of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.

The Vibe Crystal-clear water creeps up the sand and into the evergreens. Go exploring beyond the beach for new sights and uncharted territory around every corner.

The Details You might spot First Nations pictographs on rocks in the area if you go for a hike. And don’t miss nearby Bathtub Island, where a warm shallow pool awaits.

Parlee Beach

Location Less than 200km northeast of Saint John, N.B.

The Vibe Trade in your deck chair for a towel because the best thing to do on this beach is dive in and get wet.

The Details With the warmest water in the north (reaching up to 25°C), Parlee Beach can make you feel like you’re vacationing further south.

Sandy Cove

Location A three-hour drive north of St. John’s, Nfld.

The Vibe The calm waters and spectacular views offer a serene oasis for those looking for a scenic walk or a place to finally read that book that’s been collecting dust on a bedside table.

The Details Minutes from the historical town of Sandy Cove, the beach is surrounded by picnic areas, hiking trails and the famous Sandy Cove Head Lookout, where a view of the entire beach can be captured in one photo.

Carters Beach

Location 160km southwest of Halifax

The Vibe With turquoise tides and sparkling white sand, Carters Beach lends a tropical touch to the east coast. The clear water is perfect for snorkelling, giving you a glimpse of the sealife lurking below the surface.

The Details The sand gets its sparkle from the surrounding granite – but granite holds cold temperatures, which means the water is icy enough to remind you that you’re still in Canada.

Ingonish Beach

Location On the Atlantic coast of Cape Breton Island, NS

The Vibe This whale-watching mecca is a marine wonderland, so don’t forget the binoculars.

The Details Secure a spot on a whale-watching tour, as there’s no better place than this stretch of shore to see seals, dolphins and fin, minke, humpback and pilot whales.

Singing Sands Beach

Location 100km east of Charlottetown, PEI

The Vibe This beach, quite literally, speaks for itself – believe it or not, you’ll create your own soundtrack by simply shuffling along the sand. Don’t forget to pack a guitar for accompaniment.

The Details The theory is that the perfectly rounded quartz sand is what produces a clear “singing” sound while you walk – but scientists still aren’t quite sure.

Bennett Lake Beach

Location A 45-minute drive south of Whitehorse

The Vibe Come armed with a camera, as you’ll want to capture this unique landscape. Think blue waters fringed by the snow-capped Coast Mountains and impressive stretches of sand.

The Details Sand from Bennett Lake Beach is carried by the wind to the nearby Carcross Desert — the “World’s Smallest Desert,” as named by Guinness World Records.

Hay River beach

Location On the south shore of Great Slave Lake, across from Yellowknife, NT.

The Vibe With calm, cool waters that don't warm up until mid-summer, this beach is a prime spot for kayaking, boating, fishing or a refreshing dip after a day of soaking up rays.

The Details Once the home of an active northern trading post, Hay River is now a hot spot for viewing the natural waterfalls and the aurora borealis and for fishing expeditions.

Brady’s Beach

Location To find your way to Brady’s Beach, you have to first find your way to tiny Bamfield, B.C. There are no paved roads leading into town, so visitors get here by hiking the West Coast Trail or catching a floatplane from Port Alberni.

The Vibe Beautiful and secluded in the most wonderful way, this rugged bit of coastline will keep you intrigued for days.

The Details Brady’s Beach is one of B.C.’s best-kept secrets. Search out the blowhole in the craggy rocks – it’s said to spout water six metres in the air when the waves crash.