Summer’s here and that means it’s time to swim! Canadians are a bit spoiled for choice when it comes to impeccable places to splash around. Here are some of the best places to swim in Canada this summer.
Cobourg Beach
If you live in the GTA and have access to a car, Cobourg beach in Cobourg, Ontario is about an hour and a half away and pristine. It is huge, sandy and clean -- unlike many other beaches of Lake Ontario! A great place to take the family on a nearby adventure over the weekend.
Wasaga Beach
Wasaga Beach, another Lake Ontario beach, is immensely popular for good reason! In less than a 2-hour drive from Toronto you’ll feel like you’re somewhere in Florida. The beach stretches as far as the eye can see and is sandy and clean. It’s a great spot for a swim if you have children as the water is quite shallow on the way in. The town of Wasaga is a fun place to visit as it’s really built for tourists with great restaurants, shops and activities to enjoy.
Grand Beach
If you live in or around Winnipeg, you have to check out Grand Beach in Grand Beach Provincial Park this summer. It stretches for 3 kilometres on Lake Winnipeg. It’s a beautiful beach that attracts thousands of people every year and is only one hour north of Winnpeg on Highway 59.
Sylvan Lake
If you live in Alberta, finding a great beach in the summer can be a challenge. Sylvan Lake is our top recommendation in the province. It has a beautiful 13-kilometre shoreline and is the perfect spot to swim, boat, waterski, etc. It’s under 2 hours from Edmonton and St. Albert making it suitable for a day trip. The area boasts ample accommodations if you feel like making a vacation of it!
Grand Bend Beach
If you live in the Kitchener-Waterloo area, you can drive to Grand Bend Beach in Grand Bend, Ontario along Lake Huron in about an hour and a half. It’s well worth the drive as it’s pristine and sandy with a great tourist infrastructure. There are tons of restaurants, shops and activities like mini golf to enjoy within walking distance of the beach. The water is a beautiful tropical blue, warm and shallow -- perfect for swimming with the whole family.
Whytecliff Park
Vancouverites and tourists alike adore visiting West Vancouver’s Whytecliff Park near Horseshoe Bay. It offers a great place to take a dip with stunning views of southern Howe Sound and Bowen Island. Consider bringing scuba gear if you have it as the area is known for sea creatures like starfish, sea urchins, shells and fish. If you live in or around Langley or New Westminster, you can drive to the beach in under an hour.
Gonzales Beach
Gonzales Beach in Victoria, B.C. is a curving arc of sand that’s protected on three sides. As a result it’s a pretty calm area for an ocean swim. You’ll need to be brave to swim here as water temperature rarely surpasses 13 degrees Celsius but it’s an amazing place to sunbathe as well.
Oka Beach
Oka Beach isn’t the only great place to swim near Montreal, Quebec but it may well be the best! Located in Oka National Park, this beautiful beach boasts breathtaking views of Lake Deux Montagnes. You can drive there in under an hour from the city! The park is a great day trip destination if you like to hike, kayak, canoe and swim.
We hope you get out there and go swimming at one of these amazing Canadian destinations this summer.
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