Everyone knows that Canada has beautiful natural features and abundant outdoor opportunities, but one natural gem that is often forgotten about is our amazing beaches.

Canada has more kilometres of coastline than any other country in the world, so it should come as no surprise that we have many beaches full of sand and seashells as well. Here are seven of the best beaches across the country that are definitely worth a visit.

Long Beach – Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Located about four hours from Victoria on the west side of Vancouver Island, Long Beach certainly lives up to its name. This nearly 17-km long beach offers pristine sand and scenic views. It also has great surfing and is a fantastic spot for whale watching, as over twenty thousand grey whales migrate through the area every spring and summer.

Manitou Beach – Little Manitou Lake, Saskatchewan

Situated on a saltwater lake in the resort village by the same name, Manitou Beach is more of a spa than a swimming destination. Little Manitou Lake has a very high salinity – about half as high as the Dead Sea – which allows swimmers to float with almost no effort. The waters are also full of therapeutic minerals.

Grand Beach – Grand Beach Provincial Park, Manitoba

Grand Beach is a 3-km long beach of fine, white silica sand on the shores of Lake Winnipeg. It sits just 100 km north of Winnipeg and is a fantastic spot for swimming, windsurfing, boating, and fishing. A defining feature of this beach is the surrounding sand dunes, some of which are over 12 metres high.

Wasaga Beach – Wasaga Beach Provincial Park, Ontario

Said to be the longest freshwater beach in the world, 14-km Wasaga Beach on Georgian Bay receives over one million visitors every year. It is located about 130 km from Toronto in the bustling beach town of the same name. It’s the perfect place to go for a dip, sunbathe, and watch the sunset over the water.

Parlee Beach – Parlee Beach Provincial Park, New Brunswick

Though just 1 km long, Parlee Beach attracts up to half a million people a year due to its warm waters. The beach is only 32 km north of Moncton and has numerous facilities, making it a great choice for families. Visitors enjoy activities such as beach volleyball, ultimate frisbee and sand sculpture competitions.

Singing Sands Beach – Basin Head Provincial Park, Prince Edward Island

Basin Head Beach – more commonly known as Singing Sands Beach – is a stunning white quartz sand beach just 93 km east of Charlottetown also known for its warm and pleasant waters. The beach is called “Singing Sands” for the squeaking sound made by the sand when it is disturbed by wind or footsteps.

Ingonish Beach – Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia

A 127-km drive from Sydney, Ingonish Beach is home to soft white sand and plenty of facilities, making it very popular among locals. The most unique feature of this beach is a natural rock barrier that separates the ocean water from a freshwater lake, giving swimmers the option of which they’d prefer to have a dip in.

While these are some of the best beaches in the country, there are many more to be found along our lakes and coastlines. Wherever you are in Canada, it’s likely you’re not too far from a beach where you can lay out your towel and soak in the summer sun.