Canada's most beautiful beaches most people don't know about

Escape the crowds

Forget crowded tourist hotspots with our pick of Canada’s best-kept coastal secrets. Whether it’s a hidden cove in Newfoundland or a forest-fringed lake on Vancouver Island, one thing unites them – you might just have the sand to yourself.

Click through this gallery to discover Canada’s best-kept beach secrets...

19. Brady’s Beach, Bamfield, British Columbia

Tucked away on Vancouver Island’s wild west coast, Brady’s Beach rewards those willing to go the extra mile. After a scenic two-hour drive from Port Alberni, visitors reach Bamfield – where a gentle 20-minute forest trail leads from the dock to the shoreline. There, sea stacks rise from the surf and tide pools brim with life, offering a quiet, dramatic stretch of coast.

18. Old Woman Bay, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario

With its wide arc of sand and forest-topped cliffs, Old Woman Bay is quieter than many of the province’s more famous beaches, and gets its name from a cliffside rock formation said to resemble the profile of an old woman – best spotted with a little imagination and the right angle. Time your visit for autumn, when the surrounding forest blazes with colour and the entire scene feels touched by magic.

17. The Windswept Tree, Killbear Provincial Park, Ontario

Often overlooked in favour of Killbear Provincial Park’s sandy beaches, the Windswept Tree sits at the end of a short trail through rocky terrain. This lone white pine has been a symbol of Killbear for decades, presiding over a patchwork of stone blankets that slip into water so clear you can count fish on your solo swims.

16. Dune du Sud Beach, Îles de la Madeleine, Québec

On Île du Havre aux Maisons in Québec’s remote Magdalen Islands, Dune du Sud Beach stretches beneath striking red sandstone cliffs. Sea caves, accessible at low tide, make it one of the archipelago’s most dramatic shorelines. Sheltered from the wind and never crowded, it’s perfect for quiet moments spent soaking in the raw Atlantic scenery.

15. Tonquin Beach, Tofino, British Columbia

Just a short walk from downtown Tofino, Tonquin Beach offers a quiet alternative to the area’s better-known surf spots. Reached via a forested trail, this sheltered cove is backed by mossy rainforest and framed by rocky headlands, ideal for a peaceful swim, tide pooling or watching the sun set over Clayoquot Sound. 

14. Lake Annette Beach, Jasper National Park, Alberta

With its soft sand, clear turquoise water and views of snow-capped mountains, Lake Annette Beach has all the ingredients for a classic mountain swim. Fed by glacial waters, it flies under the radar despite being just a short drive from Jasper – most visitors pass it by in favour of better-known spots like Maligne Lake.

13. Sandy Cove Beach, Sandy Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador

This sandy beach on Bonavista Bay remains remarkably pristine thanks to its quiet location. To reach it, drive about three hours from St. John’s, following the Road to the Beaches on the Eastport Peninsula, and turn off near the town of Happy Adventure (yes, that’s the real name). From there, it’s a short walk to the shore, where soft sand and glacial cliffs meet cold, clear water.

12. Mystic Beach, Juan de Fuca Provincial Park, British Columbia

Reached via a 1.2-mile (2km) forest hike on the Juan de Fuca Trail, Mystic Beach is one of Vancouver Island’s most photogenic coastal spots. A waterfall spills from sandstone cliffs onto the sand, sea caves emerge at low tide and driftwood logs line the shore like natural benches. It's remote enough to feel wild, yet close enough for a rewarding day trip from Victoria.

11. New River Beach, Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick

This arc of caramel sand is a living melodrama: at low tide, explore tidal pools teeming with periwinkles, whelks and starfish; at high tide, watch the Bay of Fundy's powerful waters reshape the shoreline. Though part of a provincial park, it’s often empty – most visitors rush to Hopewell Rocks. From St. George, take Route 175 south and follow signs to the cliffside parking lot.

Liking this? Click the Like button above. And click the Follow button above for more great stories from loveEXPLORING

10. Little Cove Beach, Tobermory, Ontario

Just a short drive from Tobermory, Little Cove Beach offers a tranquil escape from the more frequented spots in Bruce Peninsula National Park. This secluded cove features clear turquoise waters and a rocky shoreline, making it an ideal spot for swimming and snorkelling. The beach is accessible via a short trail, and its limited parking helps maintain a peaceful atmosphere.

9. Sea Glass Beach, Blacks Harbour, New Brunswick

A treasure hunter’s paradise, this tiny cove glitters with wave-polished sea glass in every colour. Decades of discarded bottles from a former cannery were tumbled by the high tides into smooth gems. Locals keep it quiet to protect the stash – visit at low tide and park discreetly near Blacks Harbour’s ferry terminal.

8. Parc-nature de l’Anse-à-l’Orme, Hudson, Québec

Forty-five minutes west of Montreal, this silver stretch of shore set beside wetlands and forested trails feels far removed from the city. Though part of a larger nature park, the small beach remains under the radar. Follow the quiet trail off Chemin de l’Anse à l’Orme to reach the shoreline, where driftwood log 'seats' offer a front-row view of sailboats gliding across Lac des Deux Montagnes.

7. Quarry Lake, Texada Island, British Columbia

Hidden in the forested heart of Texada Island, Quarry Lake is a secret swimming hole with an otherworldly feel. Once a limestone quarry, it’s now an emerald-green lake surrounded by towering trees.

There’s no signage from the main road and only a rough track leading in – it’s the kind of place you find only if you know to look. While much of the shoreline is rocky, there are small flat clearings and a narrow beach-like stretch where swimmers can wade in or set down a towel. 

6. Chance Cove, Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland and Labrador

Located on the Avalon Peninsula's southern coast, Chance Cove Provincial Park is a secluded coastal gem. A short trail leads through forested terrain to a cobblestone beach, offering dramatic views of the Atlantic Ocean.

The park's rugged cliffs and hidden coves provide opportunities for hiking and wildlife observation. While amenities are minimal, its untouched beauty makes it a rewarding stop for those exploring the Irish Loop.

5. Burgoyne Bay, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia

Tucked at the end of a winding forest road, Burgoyne Bay is one of Salt Spring Island’s best-kept secrets. Part of a provincial park, it’s more commonly known for its hiking trails – but at low tide, a quiet stretch of pebble beach emerges, ideal for picnics, birdwatching or simply sitting with a book.

The water is calm, and the views across Sansum Narrows to Vancouver Island are quietly spectacular. It’s not a beach in the sandy sense, but for peaceful access to the sea, it’s hard to beat.

4. Kentucky Lake, Kentucky Alleyne Provincial Park, British Columbia

Among the dry grasslands of British Columbia’s interior, Kentucky Lake is a hidden gem with a tropical twist. Its turquoise water – fed by underground springs – shimmers against a backdrop of white clay shoreline and lodgepole pines. A small beach provides easy access for swimming, and a 2.5 mile (4km) trail loops around the lake, offering quiet coves and panoramic views.

3. Plage de la Pointe aux Bouleaux, Mingan Archipelago, Québec

Hidden in the wild Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, this ethereal beach feels like the edge of the world. Its stretch of pearly sand is dotted with the park’s famous limestone monoliths – surreal, weather-sculpted formations that rise like ancient sentinels from the tide. The beach is only accessible only by boats from Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan or Havre-Saint-Pierre, which cut through the teal Gulf of St. Lawrence.

2. Winter Cove, Saturna Island, British Columbia

This serene shore on one of British Columbia's least-visited Gulf Islands offers 180-degree views of the Salish Sea and orca sightings offshore. Seclusion is almost guaranteed – Saturna is home to just 350 residents and is only accessible by ferry from Vancouver, typically via connections through other Gulf Islands.

1. Carters Beach, Port Mouton, Nova Scotia

Often called ‘Nova Scotia’s Caribbean’, this trio of white-sand crescents have water so turquoise even the locals do a double-take. No surprise then, that it's our pick for Canada's most beautiful secret beach.

While the shallows are perfect for wading, the Atlantic waters are bracingly cold. Thankfully, a tidal lagoon nestled among the dunes warms up in the sun and offers a more comfortable dip.

Liked this? Click the Like button above. And click the Follow button above for more great stories from loveEXPLORING

Now browse Canada’s most underrated cities