Beautiful beaches are likely not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the “Great White North”. However, Canada has such a massive amount of coastline, the most of any country on the planet, that it certainly has some gorgeous seashores to stroll. With relatively warm summer weather, Canadians flock to the beaches on either coast for fun in the sun, and in the water.
Top Beaches and Coastal Towns in CAN
Vancouver is the most popular oceanside city in Canada, and one of the best places to call home too. In either direction north or south, you’ll find colorful little beach towns and sandy shorelines on the Pacific Ocean. On the opposite eastern side of the country, the Atlantic Ocean brings nature to the doorsteps of destinations like Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, as well as the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Guide to Visiting the Beaches in Canada
Canada isn’t usually the first place that comes to mind when planning a beach vacation or a move to the coast, but maybe it should be. This friendly country’s beaches are among the most stunning, diversified, and impressive on the planet.
It has the longest coastline in the world at 202,080 kilometers (151,019 miles) and has numerous charming harbors, fishing villages, and spa towns brimming with character along its shores. What these places lack in tropical palm trees, they make up for in other ways, such as unexpectedly warm (and sometimes turquoise) seas, sweet surf spots, and dunes.
From coast to coast, Canada is replete with beautiful beaches, some of which are even pleasant in the dead of winter. Tourists go to Tofino’s 16-kilometer (9.94-mile) Long Island beach to engage in various water activities, most notable surfing. The waves and water depth are perfect for both novice and experienced surfers.
The small but beautiful stretches of beach in Vancouver help turn this big city into a laid-back beach town. Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island are on the East Coast and full of European heritage and stunning seaside villages that will transport you to another time and place.
It doesn’t matter where in Canada you go, you’re guaranteed a fantastic coastal visit complete with fresh seafood, lush woods, and fascinating historical sites.
Canada Coastal Climate
Since Canada is so vast, it has varied climates. However, even though the country shares different oceans on each coast, its northern location does give it some similarities in environment.
East Coast
Temperatures are generally pleasant on the east coast by Prince Edward Island and the surrounding areas. The annual average temperature hovers between 14 °F (-10 °C) and 76 F, with extremes of -5 °F (-23 °C) and 82 °F (28 °C) occurring only very infrequently.
Between June and September is the perfect time to visit this beautiful location. PEI is one of the most beautiful destinations to stay in the summer since it hosts a variety of exciting events and festivals and has gorgeous beaches.
However, the Island has spectacular snowstorms in the wintertime, turning the whole landscape into a winter wonderland fit for a holiday card. The average water temperature on this coast is about 45°F, with summertime highs reaching 59°F.
West Coast
The typical summer temperature of Vancouver Island is between 70 and 80 ℉ (21 and 27 ℃), while the average winter temperature is slightly below 32 ℉ (0 ℃). Snow falls in the winter, but more in the higher elevations and on the east coast. The west coast tends to get a lot of rain instead.
The chilly season, with daily highs around 48 ℉ (9 °C), runs from late November through early March. December is the coldest month in Vancouver, with temperatures averaging 36°F at night and 43°F during the day.
The ideal season to go to the west coast is between the middle of May and the beginning of October. The salmon flow is at its peak in the colder months of September and October.
Sharks
Canada’s coastal waters are home to 56 different species of sharks, skates, and rays (together known as elasmobranchs), which may be found everywhere, from the ebbing tides of the Bay of Fundy to the icy depths of the Arctic Ocean and the Pacific Coast. All the way up to Newfoundland, you can find great white sharks. They often frequent Canadian waters in the late summer and early autumn.
Most of the time, blue sharks are seen in the waters around Newfoundland. However, makos, Greenland sharks, basking sharks, and porbeagle sharks have also been spotted. Sharks can be found off the coasts of Vancouver Island and Tofino on the west coast. You probably won’t see one, but they’re there, helping to keep the waters off the coast of British Columbia in check.
Activities
There are a wide variety of things to do near the sea on the East Coast. In addition to the usual beach activities like surfing, swimming, and sunbathing, visitors may take advantage of summertime iceberg-viewing cruises. Other enjoyable water-based recreation includes whale watching, fishing, and treasure hunting on the beach.
Tofino is a popular surfing destination on the West Coast, and surfing lessons may be taken there directly on the sand. Sunbathing, swimming, boating, fishing, and kayaking are all fun things to do on the water, which can be done during the warmer summer months. If you’re looking for something to do before or after your beach day in Vancouver, several of the area’s beaches are conveniently located along woodland trails.
Accommodations
Travelers visiting the Canadian shore won’t have to worry about finding a place to stay. A wide variety of lodging options are available, from luxurious hotels to inexpensive motels and quaint cottages ideal for a family vacation. Many campsites, both along the shore and in the woods, cater to campers who like the great outdoors.
Beach towns in Canada tend to become congested in the summer since so many Canadiens choose to vacation at home. You should make hotel or rental reservations as soon as possible.
Canadian coastlines are a must-visit for everyone who loves the sea. In both metropolitan areas and sleepy fishing enclaves, you may choose from a wide variety of beaches, from powdery white sand to rocky shores.