The Unexpected Country With The Longest Coastline In The World And Stunning Beaches
Think you know which country has the longest coastline in the world? It’s not Australia, not the U.S., and surprisingly, not even an island nation. The answer? Canada.
Yes, the land of snow-capped mountains, maple syrup, and hockey also boasts an astonishing 150,000 miles of coastline. More than any other country on Earth!
Let’s discover why this unexpected coastal giant deserves a spot on every traveler’s bucket list.
1. Long Beach, British Columbia
If the Pacific had a front-row seat to nature’s raw power, this would be it. Long Beach isn’t just a stretch of sand, it’s a 9-mile showdown between waves and an untamed coastline. The air is thick with salt, the wind is relentless, and the driftwood logs, some the size of small cars, tell stories of epic storms.
Surfers worship this place like a saltwater cathedral, and it’s easy to see why. The waves here don’t just roll in. They charge! Yes, crashing with a kind of reckless energy!
And then, there’s the moment the sun dips behind the horizon. I say it’s the kind of beauty that makes people rethink their life choices! Who needs an office when you could be here, toes buried in the cool Pacific mist?
2. Singing Sands Beach, Prince Edward Island
A beach that sings? Sounds impossible. But trust me, your ears aren’t playing tricks on you. Walk across the soft sand, and you’ll hear it: a high-pitched squeak with every step, as if the shore itself is whispering secrets.
This bizarre, delightful phenomenon comes from the high silica content in the sand, and it turns an ordinary beach stroll into something special. Add in PEI’s signature red cliffs and rolling dunes, and you’ve got a scene so picturesque it feels almost too perfect.
Forget freezing ocean dips! This is some of the warmest seawater in Canada, and it’s practically begging you to dive in. Thanks to the Gulf of St. Lawrence’s shallow, sun-soaked waters, summer swimming here is a blissful, almost bath-like experience.
3. Wasaga Beach, Ontario
Eight miles of pure summer energy! Now, we’re talking.
Welcome to the world’s longest freshwater beach. On any given summer day, the shoreline is packed with sunbathers, volleyball matches, and the unmistakable scent of sunscreen and boardwalk fries. The sand? Soft and golden. The water? Crystal-clear and surprisingly warm.
As the boardwalk lights flicker on and laughter drifts through the air, you realize something. Wasaga Beach is a summer tradition, the kind that sticks with you long after the sand has shaken from your shoes.
4. Darnley Beach, Prince Edward Island
Some beaches like to brag about their crowds, but Darnley Beach prefers to keep things a little more secret. The loudest sound is the whisper of the waves and the occasional call of a seabird.
But don’t mistake “quiet” for boring! It has a wild side, too. For sure! The dunes create an ever-changing landscape, while red sandstone cliffs carve a contrast against the blue Atlantic. The sand is soft, the water inviting, and if you time your visit right, you might just have an entire cove to yourself.
Here’s a tip: bring a picnic, because you won’t want to leave. No need to shout for attention! The beauty does the talking.
5. Parlee Beach, New Brunswick
Want to swim in some of the warmest saltwater north of the Carolinas? Welcome to Parlee Beach.
Thanks to the unique geography of the Northumberland Strait, the water here gets ridiculously warm in the summer. It has temperatures that feel downright tropical by Canadian standards.
If there’s one thing Parlee Beach demands, that would be action! Kiteboarding, beach volleyball, paddleboarding—you name it, someone’s doing it.
And if you’re not feeling sporty? No problem. Grab a famous lobster roll from nearby Shediac and find a shady spot to people-watch. The best things in life really are as simple as sun, salt, and a long, lazy day by the sea.
6. Sandbanks Provincial Park, Ontario
You wouldn’t expect to find Caribbean-style beaches in the middle of Ontario, but Sandbanks doesn’t play by the rules. This Prince Edward County gem could easily be mistaken for a tropical escape.
The landscape here is a beachgoer’s paradise. The dunes roll in sculpted curves, the water shifts from deep blue to turquoise, and the soft sand practically begs for bare feet.
Oh, and don’t even think about leaving without exploring Prince Edward County’s wineries. After a day of sun and sand, nothing hits the spot quite like a glass of locally-made rosé on a breezy vineyard patio.
7. Chesterman Beach, British Columbia
If beaches had personalities, Chesterman would be the effortlessly cool one that doesn’t try too hard. The Pacific crashes against the shore with a rhythm that feels ancient!
You’re here to ride the swells or just wander barefoot along the waterline? Basically the effect is the same – instant calm!
It is all about contrasts. One moment, it’s a storm-watching haven, the next, it’s a golden-hour paradise. And if you ever tire of the waves, and I highly doubt that, Tofino’s laid-back charm awaits.
8. Grand Beach, Manitoba
Manitoba and beaches? Sounds unlikely… until you see Grand Beach! It rivals anything you’d find on an oceanfront coast.
It’s a haven for families, kiteboarders, and anyone looking to swap city noise for the sound of gentle waves.
And just when you think it can’t get better, there’s the sunset. As the sky turns a deep orange over the lake, you’ll understand why people have been flocking here for generations. You don’t need an ocean to find a world-class beach. Sometimes, all it takes is a little nature’s magic.
9. Ingonish Beach, Nova Scotia
One beach, two worlds! Ingonish Beach changes with the tide. At high tide, it’s all about the Atlantic. But when the tide recedes, a hidden freshwater lake appears just beyond the beach.
It’s the kind of thing that makes you do a double take, and yet, it fits perfectly into the wild beauty of Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Moose sightings? Not uncommon. Bald eagles? Practically guaranteed.
And when the night sky takes over, prepare to be dazzled. With little light pollution, the stars blaze overhead, reflected in the gentle ripples of the lake.
10. L’Anse aux Meadows Beach, Newfoundland & Labrador
A beach with Viking history? Now that’s a plot twist.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site marks the spot where Norse explorers, led by Leif Erikson, landed over a thousand years ago, making it the first known European settlement in North America.
Walk along the rocky beach, and you can almost hear the echoes of Viking longships cutting through the icy Atlantic waters.
This isn’t the kind of beach where you spread out a towel and sip cocktails. It’s one you explore, one that tells a story with every gust of wind. There’s something deeply humbling about standing where Vikings once stood, gazing out at the same endless horizon.