BEACH? BLANKETS? BINGO!

One of the best parts about living in a country bookended by oceans and speckled with hundreds of thousands of lakes is experiencing the beautiful beaches that accompany them. From the soft, sandy shorelines of the coastal waterways to the fresh inland lakes that punctuate the provinces, we are spoiled by nature’s bounty of beaches. This is a small sampling of some stunning, sandy stretches and perfect pebble beaches on which to soak up the sun, celebrate summer and kick back after enjoying a nice, refreshing swim.. Ali Becker crisscrosses Canada, one beach at a time.

Another coastal gem can be found curving its way along Newfoundand’s sparsely populated southwestern seaside. Cape Ray Beach has some of the softest sand in the land and remains under wraps as most visitors head further north for the fjords. With a long stretch of pristine beach to offer up, you could easily carve out a small piece of paradise all to yourself and spend a hot summer’s day weaving in and out of the water before stopping to watch the stars light up the night sky. With the nearby Wreckhouse winds at play, you might be wise to avoid getting too attached to your Cape Ray sandcastles and be prepared to find fine grains of sand in most of your crevices for weeks to come.

LA DUNE DE BOUCTOUCHE, NEW BRUNSWICK

A visit to the Bouctouche Dunes is a great way to blend leisure time with learning, as you stroll the purpose-built boardwalk above the longest stretch of sand dunes on North America’s east coast. Designed to help preserve the fragile, ecologically diverse dunes, waltzing the wooden walkway reminds us of the immense impact we can have on sacred spaces—and to tread mindfully. Aprés walk, dip your toes in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence or watch the small sea creatures as they cruise across the sand while you sunbathe on the spit.

GREENWICH BEACH, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Situated within PEI’s least visited but most spectacular Greenwich National Park, Greenwich Beach is an adventure just to arrive at as it’s accessed by a long, floating boardwalk that extends out across a big, bright marsh. Along the way, you’re treated to a stunning display of rare parabolic sand dunes whose beauty beckons you further until you end up at one of the most spectacular and serene beaches on the Island. Running your toes along the warm, white sand, you’ll be following in the footsteps of the early Mi’kmaq peoples, French and Acadian settlers and Scottish, Irish and English immigrants that shared in these sacred lands.

PANCAKE BAY, ONTARIO

Three kilometres of soft, sandy, stunning beach make Pancake Bay one of the finest spots to stop along Lake Superior’s northern shores. Legend has it, the voyageurs thought so too, resting here to whip up a batch of flapjacks before continuing their travels to Sault Ste. Marie. The turquoise blue waters give visitors a sense of being transported to the Caribbean (though the refreshing lake temps bring you right back to Canadian soil). This is also a perfect place to bring the young ones, as the water is easy to access and shallow for a good stretch. There are plenty of great campsites near the beach, hiking trails across the way and kayaking or canoeing opportunities galore. After a long day of excitement, you can replenish your inner adventurer with a stack of pancakes at the nearby Voyageur’s Lodge and Cookhouse—just like the good ol’ days.

STEEP ROCK BEACH, MANITOBA Perched above the northeastern shoreline of Lake Manitoba, Steep Rock Beach lives up to its perfectly descriptive namesake. With mesmerizing limestone outcroppings and mind-bending rock formations, this Canadian gem provides a landscape like none other. While short stretches of sand beaches brace themselves between ragged cliff walls, you’ll likely find yourself more drawn to exploration than relaxation at this Manitoba wonder.

PLAGE DE HALDIMAND, QUÉBEC

Sparkling in the sun on Québec’s gorgeous Gaspé Peninsula, the fine golden grains of sand light up the beach at Haldimand Park. Located in one of the most scenic regions of the province, the long, linear sandbar reaches out to a tree-lined tip at one end and leads beyond the Saint-Jean River to the wilder Douglastown Beach on the other. On a clear day, Haldimand offers great views of the meandering mountain range in nearby Forillon National Park and hosts awe-inspiring sunsets that’ll keep you there all day long.

LAWRENCETOWN BEACH, NOVA SCOTIA

Just a stone’s throw from Halifax lies the lovely Lawrencetown Beach. This epic east coast surf zone is home to wicked winter waves, superb summer swells and a surf community that extends a classic Maritime welcome to outsiders and first timers alike. Arching itself along the vast Atlantic Ocean, the nearby waters can get rough enough to warrant designated swim zones, while the shorelines remain soft enough for sunny afternoon siestas. Be sure to stroll the wind-battered boardwalks, admire the tall coastal grasses and skip some saltwater-smoothed stones while you wait to catch a glimpse of those legendary Lawrencetown sunsets.