Beaches in Quebec? What an odd thought for one of the provinces of the “Great White North”! However, it is true! Finding a spot where you and your family can soak up the sun and take a swim in Greater Montreal or the Province of Quebec, is not a hard thing to do.

The Greater Montreal Area:

Cap-Saint Jacques nature park, sitting on the shore of the Deux Montagnes Lake and Riviere des Prairies, is easy to travel to from downtown Montreal. Aside from a beautiful beach, there are also many activities offered, from kayaking, canoeing and cycling, to the ability to see an ecological farm in action!

Saint-Zotique Beach is another great place to go for a day of fun in the sun! Located only 45 minutes outside of Montreal near Ontario’s boarder. There is a snack and ice cream bar, hundreds of picnic tables, BBQ’s available for rent and a beach that becomes a hot spot for families in the summer months. If you feel up to some recreation, there is also a bicycle trail, paintball and rentals of aquatic equipment.

For the Naturist beach goer, the Lac Des Toutes Nues, located in Val d’Or (north-west of Montreal) is a beach which sits on a lake. Fed by non-polluted spring water, and a stretch of 50 meters of clean beauty, this 95% naturist beach is mostly populated by single people, however, it is also a family spot, and you can camp with tent or trailer, enjoying natures beauty in more way than one!

The Province of Quebec:

Gaspésie is a region that is home to some of the best beaches in Quebec. The Bay of Chaleur boats summer hot spots such as Caplan and Bonaventure, as well as the famous triangular sandbank at Paspebiac.The Lands End region of Gaspésie has multiple beaches that are worth a visit, such as Coin-du-Banc, Cap-d’Espoir, Petit-Pabos, Cap-aux-Os, Penouille, and Newport, to name a few.

The Magdalen Islands (or Îles de la Madeleine), in the St-Lawrence Gulf, are a group of famous islands that form part of Quebec. There are sandstone cliffs and miles of beautiful white beach to explore – perfect for a weekend getaway, or a summer week vacation with the family.

While the beaches in Quebec do not quite stand up to those of Hawaii, Australia and California, there are still many fabulous places to get your feet wet! Whether you are a bather, a tanner, or someone who likes to get out for a nice long swim-work out, you and your family can find a beach in Quebec.

For other beaches in Quebec, and great ways to enjoy the summer, take a look at Bonjour Quebec!

Photo credit: Wikipedia Commons