Montréal is an island. Take advantage of it! From secret surf spots to the best stretch sand, pack up and head to one of the city's coolest beaches this summer.
UPDATE, May 2022: The temperature is climbing in Montréal, which means the city’s beaches are opening for business. From long stretches of sand dotted with tiki-inspired huts to secret surf spots, our picks for the best beaches in Montreal include urban oases, metro-friendly shores and getaways that are always worth the trip. Pack your favourite sandwiches and cold beverages, grab a beach chair and don’t forget the sunscreen.
The city in the summertime can be paradise, but when the heat really hits, the best Montreal beaches are great places to cool down. Jumping in the freshwater rapids and rivers in and around the island are only rivalled by al fresco drinking at the best rooftop bars, diving into some pristine Montreal pools, and crushing some cold drinks in some Montreal parks while soaking up the sun. Whether you’re in the mood for relaxing on the shore or cooling off with refreshing swim, however, the combination of sun and sand still reigns supreme in our books.
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Clock Tower Beach is located right in Montreal’s Old Port, making it the ideal spot to unwind after a long day without having to venture too far from the city centre. The urban beach venue is essentially part bar and part park, trading in traditional terrasse seating in favor of sand, plastic chairs and parasols. A little slice of the city reminiscent of the French Rivieria, it’s also a great spot to watch the International Fireworks Festival.
This might just be the most beautiful beach in Québec. Located about an hour outside of Montréal, this long stretch of fine sand is dotted with tiki-style thatched huts and flanked by crystal-clear water. A celebration of the beach’s 40th anniversary this year promises a summer full of live music, DJ’s, morning yoga, games and tournaments, in addition to the mega nautical course, splash park, wading pool, water craft rentals, SUP Polo area, playground and hiking trails. Forgot snacks? The restaurant and ice cream shop have got you covered.
Easily accessible by metro or by foot, Jean-Doré Beach is conveniently located on Parc Jean-Drapeau, the same island festival-goers flock to for the likes of Osheaga and Piknic Electronik. It may be manmade, but Jean-Doré boasts 15,000 square meters of outdoor space and is home to activities for all ages, from paddle board yoga to beach volleyball.
When it comes to urban beaches, few get as good as the Verdun Beach behind the Verdun Auditorium. By day, families are flocking here to let the kids jump in the Saint-Lawrence, while evenings are full of mini dance parties (at least when the cops aren't breaking them up). With just the right depth and a jetty to break the current, this hangout right on the Saint-Lawrence is perfect and easy to access by metro. Just note that access is currently limited to 80 people at a time, a crowd that's turned over by lifeguards every 45 minutes. Open from 10am to 7pm daily, it doesn't cost a thing to chill here.
It might not technically be a beach, but Vague à Guy (“Guy’s Wave”) is one of the best spots in the city for surfing, kayaking and paddleboarding. The wave is stationary thanks to the rocky relief of the St. Lawrence River bottom, and once you’re in the rapids you can stay indefinitely on an endless standing wave. Located in Lasalle’s Parc des Rapides (20 minutes south of downtown Montreal), it’s important to note that the city doesn’t supervise this area, so make sure you use the (experienced) buddy system.
A few kilometers outside of Montreal’s core, Oka Beach is located in Oka National Park. Aside from the beach area, you’ll find everything you need here, from campsites and picnic areas to cycling and walking trails. Word to the wise, the beach—while open to the public—has two distinct sections: The family-friendly side and the adult-only side, where swimwear is optional and nudity is encouraged. It shouldn’t take you long to figure out which one is which.
Right off of Route 132, an hour and 15 minutes' of driving south along the Saint Lawrence River, you'll need to only turn onto Caza Avenue and check out this gem at the heart Saint-Anicet: With steps going down into its clear water, it's a great spot to completely chill and escape despite its popularity. How's that work? Turns out that animals, alcohol, fireworks, barbecues and camping aren't allowed at this public beach, and for some that means quieter times for leisurely swimming during hot summer days. Access to the nearby Jules Léger Park, municipal wharf and the public beach is free.
Located about half an hour from downtown Montreal, this nature park feels more like a hidden gem in the country than a big city suburb, and the beach here is no exception. Come here for a more relaxed, secluded beach day and enjoy some impromptu birdwatching between dips in the blue.
If you’re looking for a traditional beach experience, look no further than Cap-Saint-Jacques Nature Park. This charming beach and nature park located in Pierrefonds is the go-to spot for many West Island residents, and for good reason. The natural sand beach is regularly tested “excellent” in terms of water quality—an important factor to consider when swimming in lakes and rivers—and the surrounding park offers everything from picnic areas and walking trails to food trucks and a small farm with organic produce for purchase.
Montreal's newest urban beach is grand and spacious, and it's got the design to match. Part of a revitalization project for Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles, it's the first beach to have been created on the eastern side of the city. At 1.2 hectares, the area includes outdoor toilets and showers, two beach volleyball courts, hangout spots, and a steel and wood jetty to break the current for the pebble beach, making this a favoured spot for water sport lovers. Fun fact: Archaeologists discovered as many as 12,000 artefacts while this site was created including objects like arrowheads and shards.
Pointe-Calumet Beach has become synonymous with Beach Club, the rowdy adult-only outdoor club, but the beach is actually divided into two sections: One for those who are down for day drinking and dancing, while the other is for families and those looking for a more laid-back day in the sun. If you’re going for the Top Gun-esque volleyball experience during your next day at the beach, this is the spot.
A little less than half an hour outside of the city centre, RécréoParc Beach boasts natural sand, supervised swimming and lake-like water. While folks tend to flock here in the summer for an urban camping experience, there’s also an indoor restaurant on the premises for those who need a break from the sand and sun, or at least to grab a drink before heading back out into it.
Accessible by car or bus, St. Timothée Islands Regional Park Beach has excellent water quality, rescue staff on-site, and recreational fittings for rent like kayaks and pedal boat rentals. The crystal-clear water and surrounding greenery are almost enough to feel as though you’ve escaped to The Laurentians without leaving the city.
While not exactly the sandy locale you might expect, these waterfalls an hour north of the city supply a secluded spot by Lac Masson for dipping in the frothy water of its naturally formed pools. It’s rocky but has all the trappings of a relaxing beach. While it’s open to all to bring picnics and parties, it’s also a popular dating and hookup spot, so be respectful if you plan on visiting—or suggest a trip there on Grindr.
An hour’s drive westward from the city centre, this provincial park’s an easy roadtrip that worth the drive. It sports four beaches in total along the Ottawa River and each have their own water sport rentals, showers and spots to barbecue. Couple that with the fishing opportunities, playgrounds for the kids and spots to camp to find that a daytrip here can easily turn into a weekend getaway.
When looking for where to relax and escape the city in every season, look to the greenery of the best parks in Montreal
