Looking to squeeze one last bit of fun into summer before the weather gets chilly and the days grow short? Why not plan a last-minute beach day in Quebec to make the most out of the final weeks of this long, hot season?
If Quebec isn't your first choice for a dream beach vacay, think again! The province is full of white sandy shores, golden sand dunes, clear freshwaters, and even bright turquoise seas with enough beachy vibes to keep the summer fun going well into fall.
Oka Beach
Address: Parc National d'Oka, Oka, QC
Distance from Montreal: 45 minutes
Why You Need To Go: Less than an hour outside of Montreal, Oka Beach is the perfect spot for a last minute summer day trip. Located along the shores of Lac des Deux Montagnes in the heart of Parc National d'Oka, Oka Beach is as picturesque as it is exciting, appealing to both nature lovers and thrill seekers alike. Surrounded by forests and hiking trails that offer scenic views of the lake and the Adirondacks, the beach is now home to Aquazilla, a new and exciting inflatable water course installed right along its shores. Whether you're looking for a peaceful spot to unwind in nature or an adventurous afternoon on the water, Oka Beach has got you covered.
Plage de la Dune du Sud
Address: ÃŽles de la Madeleine, QC
Distance from Montreal: 18 hours and 30 minutes
Why You Need To Go: It would be easy to make this entire list just beaches located on Les Îles de la Madeleine, a stunning 12-island archipelago in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence with over 300 kilometres of beautiful white sand beaches — to put that in perspective, the distance from Montreal to Quebec City is about 250 kilometres. But if you could only visit one beach in Les Îles de la Madeleine, make it Plage de la Dune du Sud. This picturesque beach has got a bit of everything the region is famous for, including rocky red cliffs, endless white sands, and waters so turquoise you'll think you're in the Caribbean and not coastal Quebec. During low tide, Plage de la Dune Sud is the only beach in the island chain with red cliffs and caves that can be explored on foot. These same cliffs provide the beach with shelter, making it less windy than nearby beaches and the perfect destination for a late summer vacation.
Plage de la Grande Échouerie
Address: ÃŽles de la Madeleine, QC
Distance from Montreal: 18 hours and 30 minutes
Why You Need To Go: With over 300 kilometres of breathtaking sandy white shores, it was impossible to pick just one beach on Les Îles de la Madeleine. It was nearly impossible to pick just two, but with almost 10 kilometres of uninterrupted white sand coastline, Plage de la Grande Échouerie makes the cut. Considered one of the archipelago's most beautiful beaches, Plage de la Grande Échouerie (also known as "Old Harry Beach") is part of the East Point National Wildlife Reserve and is a great spot to catch a sighting of a seal. Along with the islands' Plage de la Pointe aux Loups and Plage de la Pointe de l'Est, Old Harry boasts some of the warmest waters in all of Les Îles, making it an ideal beach to visit in the cooler late summer months.
Isle-aux-Coudres Beaches
Address: Isle-aux-Coudres, QC
Distance from Montreal: 5 hours
Why You Need To Go: This tiny island in the Saint Lawrence is made up of several small beaches along its coastline, ranging from sandy to rocky. Only 23 kilometres in size, it would be easy to spend a beach day exploring the entire island, taking in its numerous golden sandy shores and colourful pebble beaches. With bike paths covering every inch of the island, biking is the preferred mode of transit here, so rent a bike and travel back and forth from popular beaches where kitesurfers fly through salty sea air to more secluded spots where you can peacefully watch the sun rise or set over the water.
Plage d'Aguanish
Address: Aguanish, Quebec
Distance from Montreal: 14 hours
Why You Need To Go: One of Quebec's best-kept secrets (well, until now), Plage d'Aguanish is one of the most secluded and beautiful beaches in the province. Situated on the north shore of the Jacques Cartier Strait in a charming seaside fishing village of the same name and of no more than 300 inhabitants, it's the perfect destination for the traveller who really wants to spend the end of summer getting away from it all. As the farthest north on this list, no matter the season, the beach's mix of freshwater and turquoise seawater is cold, but the stunning scenery of endless sands, golden dunes, and lush boreal forests will warm your heart.
Plage de Baie-Saint-Paul
Address: 210, rue-Sainte Anne, Baie-Saint-Paul, QC
Distance from Montreal: 3 hours and 45 minutes
Why You Need To Go: Nestled on the shores of the Saint Lawrence at the mouth of the Rivière-du-Gouffre, Plage de Baie-Saint-Paul is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Charlevoix region, a place where nature and culture collide.
Although the beach is surrounded by Boisé du Quai, a heavily wooded park full of scenic hiking trails, it's also a short distance from downtown Baie-Saint-Paul, a vibrant and artistic city considered one of Canada's cultural capitals packed with museums and art galleries. The area's reputation for art is only fitting since the beach itself looks like something only the brush of a great artist could paint up. With a stunning backdrop of lush forests and mountains, Plage de Baie-Saint-Paul offers breathtaking views of the surrounding Laurentians and the adjacent L'Isle-aux-Coudres, brimming with equally beautiful beaches of its own.
Les Dunes de Tadoussac
Address: Chemin de la Rivière-du-Moulin-à -Baude, Tadoussac, QC
Distance from Montreal: 5 hours and 45 minutes
Why You Need To Go: If you've ever wanted to go whale watching without having to leave the shore, this beach just outside Tadoussac is the place to do it.
Hike up to the top of the steep and stunning sand dunes that line the beach below and look out over the Saint Lawrence to catch a sighting of a whale. Whale watching in Tadoussac runs from May to October, with many considering late August through September to be the peak season, so there's no more perfect time than now to plan a beach vacay at Les Dunes. Even if you're not lucky enough to spot a whale, the natural scenery alone is worth the trip.
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your trip.
