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montreal beaches

One of the perks of Montreal being an island is the abundance of nearby beaches, offering a variety of sandy shores perfect for quick getaways. Whether you’re craving a quick dip or a full day of adventure at a national park, Montreal's beaches have it all.

From the sandy bays of Lac des Deux Montagnes to the shores of the Saint Lawrence River, numerous parks and waterfronts are just a short trip from downtown.

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Do you ever fantasize about exchanging traffic and construction for beautiful beaches? Nothing beats summer in Montreal, but it's understandable if you find yourself craving an escape from the city — whether to embark on a road trip or take a refreshing dip in the ocean.

Now that we mention it, jet-setting to a place with white sand and turquoise waters sounds like a pretty great idea, but it also sounds like an expensive one. So, if you can't afford to take a trip to the Caribbean, why not bring the Caribbean to you?

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Montreal might not have the majestic oceanfronts of Boston, nor the bohemian beach culture that defines Miami, but there's at least one place in southern Quebec where we can pretend it does. Plage Saint-Zotique, the riverside beach 50 minutes from downtown Montreal, is opening for the season — its 41st — on Saturday, June 17.

The beach features Caribbean-style thatched cabanas, a symbol it has incorporated into its logo.

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Now that Montreal has given us a few sunny days to enjoy, it's time to start thinking about where to travel to make the most of the weather. We don't live near the equator, but that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of sandy, surfy beaches close enough to make a day trip.

These seven beaches, most of which allow swimming, are opening soon — so add them to your summer bucket list, grab a picnic basket and a towel, and dive in (where permitted)!

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Good beaches near Montreal are a hard find. You're often left to choose between the brown waters of the Saint Lawrence River or some pungent, stagnant lake with dead bugs floating at the surface. There are some hidden gems, however. The beach at parc Jules-Léger in Saint-Anicet might be one.

The park occupies a small point that juts out into the Saint Lawrence. The beach itself is no more than an approximately 10-metre long water access point alongside a small pier. But the one-hour-15-minute trek from Montreal to this humble public dock has a big payoff: sweeping westward views of the river and clear water that occasionally takes on a bright blue or emerald hue.

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From Montreal's city centre — you can hit the road and drive for about 45 minutes to discover a stunning beach perfect for a quick summer getaway.

The action goes down at the Village des Écluses, located on Saint-Louis Lake. This hidden gem sadly remained dormant for nearly three years, however, the site has finally come back to life.

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Summer is officially on in Montreal, and there's no better way to cool off on those hot and humid days than plunging into a refreshing body of water.

Well, one way to take things up a notch is at Aquazilla.

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Sunny days are coming our way, which leaves many of us starting to plan our summer bucket lists. And a must-do every time the hot weather returns is taking a trip to one of the many beaches near Montreal.

Or better yet, one that's in Montreal! Turns out you don't need to go too far to pretend like you're on a vacation in the Caribbean, considering these spots are all less than an hour and 15 minutes from the city.

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Travel restrictions are lifting right in time for road trip season. Why not ease back into travelling again by taking the drive to one of Vermont's hidden gems? Perfect for nature-lovers and a quick drive from Stanstead, Lake Willoughby is an Instagrammable road trip destination.

Lake Willoughby is so stunning because it's right between two gorgeous mountains, Mount Pisgah and Mount Hor. The mountains' sharp cliff-faces give Lake Willoughby its sense of majesty. They also provide opportunities for hiking, for all you outdoorsy types who don't just want to lounge by the water all day.

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