Top 10 Most Beautiful Coastal Towns in Canada
Illustrated picture. Photo: Mixi

Beach breaks tend not to spring to mind when you’re thinking about a trip to Canada, but they should do. With 151,019-miles of coastline, it boasts the longest shoreline in the world. Lining it are hundreds of pretty ports, fishing villages and spa towns packed with personality. To give you a flavour of what the country has to offer, we’ve rounded up seven of the most charming coastal towns in Canada.

List of 10 Most Beautiful Coastal Towns in Canada

1. Tofino, British Colombia

2. St. John’s, Newfoundland

3. Saint Andrews-by-the-Sea, New Brunswick

4. Trinity, Newfoundland and Labrador

5. Churchill, Manitoba

6. Lunenberg, Nova Scotia

7. Victoria-by-the-Sea, Prince Edward Island

8. Percé, Québec

9. Cavendish, P.E.I

10. Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia

Which are the Most Beautiful Coastal Towns in Canada?

1. Tofino, British Colombia

Photo: Yoair
Photo: Yoair

Nestled between the UNESCO biosphere reserve Clayoquot Sound and the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Tofino offers visitors unparalleled access to some of the world’s most magnificent biodiversity. From humpback whales to bald eagles, it’s paradise for nature-lovers. With a 21-mile stretch of sandy beaches and rolling waves, its a popular spot with surfers too.

If you’re visiting in the colder months, lap up the empty hiking trails and roam around the town’s quaint and quiet backstreets. If you’re lucky enough to be in town in November, then don’t miss the three-day Oyster Festival.

2. St. John’s, Newfoundland

Photo: iStock
Photo: iStock

The provincial capital of Newfoundland is as charming as it gets. Built into the cliff on the easternmost point of North America, St. John’s is one of the oldest cities in North America. It’s also one of the most colourful, with rows of houses wedged together like colourful jellybeans.

If the main town doesn’t charm your socks off, head over to Quidi Vidi. The tiny ‘village-within-the-city’ is a protected 16th-century fishing harbour.

3. Saint Andrews-by-the-Sea, New Brunswick

Photo: Family Fun Canada
Photo: Family Fun Canada

When it comes to picturesque seaside towns, it doesn’t get better than Saint Andrews-By-The-Sea in New Brunswick. This is one of the prettiest small towns in Canada where you can mix historical experiences and outdoor adventures all in one getaway. Spend a few days exploring the colonial heritage and lots of century-old buildings, including the famous Algonquin Resort and Hotel which you can still stay in today. Located just a couple of hours away from Fundy National Park, this is the perfect place to kick off a summer road trip in New Brunswick.

Saint Andrews-By-The-Sea has a population of less than 2,000 but becomes a bustling town during the summer. There are many different activities to do here but some of the most popular are whale watching and sea kayaking tours on the Bay of Fundy, one of the natural wonders of Canada.

4. Trinity, Newfoundland and Labrador

Photo: Ivoire Transport
Photo: Ivoire Transport

Trinity is one of the cutest towns in Newfoundland, it looks like it came straight out of a postcard! Located on the picturesque Bonavista Peninsula, Trinity has a rich history that dates back to the 1700s when fishermen would come here for the season. While the year-round population of Trinity is under 200, it comes to life during the summer as one of Newfoundland’s most popular tourist destinations.

The best time to visit Trinity is during the summer when everything is open and visitors can explore this remote town, enjoying cultural attractions like going to a show at the beloved Rising Tide Theatre. The summer months in Newfoundland are also the best time to go whale watching, sea kayaking, bird-watching, and iceberg hunting. Trinity is also home to some of Newfoundland’s best coastal hikes including the Skerwink trail, which is a perfect spot for some whale spotting.

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5. Churchill, Manitoba

Photo: Discover Britain
Photo: Discover Britain

Churchill’s raw, subarctic terrain makes it feel completely removed from the rest of the world. This compelling town is best known as one of the top places in the world to see polar bears in the wild. From October to mid-November, the bears gather along the shore of Hudson Bay as they prepare to head out and hunt seals for the winter. In the evening, visitors can see the iconic aurora borealis (Northern Lights). In the summer, thousands of beluga whales can be spotted around the Churchill River, while the tundra and boreal forests surrounding the town are home to more than 200 species of birds.

6. Lunenberg, Nova Scotia

Photo: Tons Of Facts
Photo: Tons Of Facts

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lunenberg is the best surviving example of an early British colonial settlement in North America. Around 70% of the towns original buildings still exist today.

Take a stroll along the Old Town waterfront, with its distinctive fiery red and orange buildings. Then explore the many distilleries, breweries and boutiques dotted around town. It attracts a creative crowd too, so expect to find plenty of galleries, studios and local designers too.

Weather

The climate of Lunenburg is humid continental, bordering on an oceanic, with warm summers and mild winters, due to Gulf Stream moderation, which also causes seasonal lag. Generally Lunenburg is cool and rather wet. The average temperature is 6.5 °C. Even the driest month, July, sees 85 mm of rain, while the wettest, December, sees 149 mm. August is the warmest month, with an average temperature of 17.1 °C. February is the coldest with -4.4 C on average.

7. Victoria-by-the-Sea, Prince Edward Island

Photo: Discover & Learn - Royal Bank
Photo: Discover & Learn - Royal Bank

Prince Edward Island is home to many seaside towns, but Victoria-by-the-Sea is one of the most picturesque of the bunch. Founded in 1819, this small village consists of just four blocks, with buildings painted in bright colours.

Victoria-by-the-Sea has become a hub for artists, with painters, potters, and sculptures making up the population of this quaint Canadian Atlantic town, which is only 200 year-round residents. While visiting, you can explore art galleries and even take a pottery class. The farming and fishing culture also has a strong presence here. During your visit, be sure to indulge in some of the best seafood in all the East Coast, where restaurants here will serve you the fresh catch of the day.

Please note that any outside travel to the Maritimes continues to be limited at this time to residents of the Atlantic provinces.

8. Percé, Québec

Photo: Peapix
Photo: Peapix

Located in Québec’s maritime region, Percé is best known for its huge offshore rock formation. Beyond that, there’s a bustling town with charming boutiques, restaurants and cafes to explore. The Percé UNESCO Global Geopark offers views of the town from a glass platform suspended 200-metres above the ground. And then there’s Bonaventure Island, home to the most accessible northern gannet colony in the world.

9. Cavendish, P.E.I

Photo: Flickr
Photo: Flickr

This small rural town located on the tiny Prince Edward Island is home to only 300 residents, give or take, although summer tourism makes that number jump up. The claim to fame here is that this particular town was home to Lucy Maud Montgomery, author of the famous Anne of Green Gables. Visitors here flock to this town to check out her home and surrounding landscape, which the books are based on. But Cavendish offers so much more than just one famous house.

Red sandstone cliffs, sand dunes, warm crystal blue waters and endless stretches of beach set the stage for a magnificent setting. Activities range from world-class golfing to deep sea fishing to touring the art galleries to parasailing or even fine dining. Treat yourself to an ice cream as you walk the quaint streets, stopping to talk to the friendly locals as they ask you how your vacation is going. After all, this is the east coast, where some of the friendliest people reside.

10. Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia

Photo: Fine Art America
Photo: Fine Art America

This picture perfect marine town is home to just over 900 people and sits in the perfect location, a bay with access to over 100 different islands. The surroundings are simply stunning, protected waters and magnificent vistas, perfect for sailing, kayaking, hiking, and cycling. There are 100 miles of groomed trails, world-class beaches, and islands galore to explore. The main street is lined with charming shops, boutiques and unique eateries.

Local art studios are open and invite visitors to watch as they create masterpieces, whether it is rug hooking, sculpting or painting. The town is full of 19th century architecture but what draws visitors here are the three iconic churches along Edgewater Street that are one of the most photographed views in Canada. Great scenery, welcoming locals and an abundance of things to see and do make this one awesome small town with a big appeal in Eastern Canada.

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