18 New Brunswick Beaches You Have to Visit on Your Canada Trip
This post is sponsored by Destination New Brunswick but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.
Beaches in Canada? Who knew! Daniel and I were surprised (in a good way) to find that New Brunswick beaches were absolutely worth checking out and that they offered some shockingly warm water during the summer months. If you are looking for a variety of types of beaches, from rocky to sandy, you can’t find better options than in New Brunswick.
Incredible New Brunswick beaches you don’t want to miss
You have to check out these New Brunswick beaches on your trip up north to Atlantic Canada!
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Recommended beach souvenirs for you: Below we have introduced many beautiful beaches from New Brunswick, Canada. Many people will take beautiful photos on the beach and buy some meaningful souvenirs. Nowadays, it is extremely popular to the photos into personalized stickers, pins and other commodities for collection and commemoration. You can customize these delicate and chic custom pins online here if you’re interested!
Parlee Beach
Parlee BeachLocated in Shediac, Parlee Beach has some of that white sand that you would expect to find on beaches further south along the East Coast of the United States. If you think about Montauk’s dunes and grey waters, you’ll find its twin in Parlee. Once you are done with the beach, there are also a number of great places to grab a bite to eat or hike, and since it is found in a provincial park you’ll find events going on during most of the year.
Kellys Beach
Kellys Beach offers a beautiful, short boardwalk stroll of three quarters of a mile to a lovely, quiet beach. You can find this spot in Kouchibouguac National Park, one of the two national parks in New Brunswick. The many dunes protect local wildlife and flora, as well as provide a scenic view going to and from the ocean. It also has a full range of facilities from showers to food, as well as accessibility.
Aboiteau Beach
Aboiteau BeachThis sandy beach offers the perfect place to rest on the Northumberland Strait. If you’re lucky, you might even get the chance to view Prince Edward Island on a clear day. This New Brunswick beach has plenty of facilities available, including volleyball nets, a lookout tower, cottage rentals, and more. In 2021, it was named a Blue Flag Beach for its commitment to environmental management–that means you have some beautiful clear water!
Murray Beach
If you’re enjoying New Brunswick’s Acadian Coastal Drive, you’re going to want to make a stop at Murray Beach Provincial Park along the way. For those who enjoy catching gorgeous sunrises and sunsets along the water, as well as an opportunity to enjoy other activities like kayaking, exploring lighthouses, and birding, this is the beach in Canada for you. Planning on staying a while? The park also has 111 camping sites and eight cabins where you can stay right on the beach if you would like.
Mactaquac Beach
Some of the best New Brunswick beaches are found not on the ocean, but right next to the river. You can find Mactaquac Beach right along the St. John River, and since it is in a provincial park, you also have access to facilities such as restaurants, hiking trails, and even a golf course. Created in the 1960s along with the Mactaquac Dam, you’ll find visitors here taking part in a number of activities from sunbathing to windsurfing.
La Dune de Bouctouche
The Irving Eco-Centre was developed as a way to preserve some of the northeastern coastline, especially the large dune near the town of Bouctouche. You can get to the beach by heading along the boardwalk. Be on the lookout for numerous species of shorebirds as you walk along the 7.5 miles of the dune. An onsite BBQ is also available, so you can spend an entire day here relaxing on the beach or participating in one of the public tours offered–admission is free!
Dennis Beach
Dennis BeachRight near Hopewell Rocks along the Bay of Fundy, you can find Dennis Beach right off 915 highway. Once you reach the parking area, you’ll head back to a trailhead and take a left in order to reach the sand. Known as one of the best beaches in New Brunswick due to its status as a UNESCO-listed Fundy Biosphere Reserve, you’ll find super clear water, plenty of space, and a nice hiking trail where you can get a view of Cape Enrage, which is, in my opinion, one of the best things do in New Brunswick.
Mispec Beach
Mispec BeachYou can find Mispec Beach a short distance from St. John, where you have a relaxed environment with plenty of fine-grained sand and facilities. Formerly a recreation area for World War II servicemen and women, it now has free parking, a play area, and gorgeous views of the Bay of Fundy. Do keep in mind that the beach is unsupervised, so you will want to keep track of the tides on your own. For those looking to explore a bit more, the craggy cliffs offer some excellent climbing opportunities.
North Kouchibouguac Dune
North Kouchibouguac DuneAnother one of the New Brunswick beaches located in Kouchibouguac National Park on this list, this dune provides hiking trails, areas for swimming, and the haven for birders. In fact, it hosts the second-largest tern colony in North America! That’s not the only bird species you can spot on your time at this Canada beach–be on the lookout for Red-Breasted Mergansers, Piping Plovers, and more. You can reach the dune by a connected footbridge on the mainland.
South Kouchibouguac Dune
Like its sister dune, South Kouchibouguac offers some wonderful birding and shelling activities. You will want to keep in mind that this dune might be closed to visitors during the nesting season, and it is not dog-friendly in order to protect the birds. For those looking to enjoy a long walk along the oceanside, this is one of the best beaches in New Brunswick to experience some golden sand and a chance to connect with nature.
Waterside Beach
Waterside BeachWant to check out one of the New Brunswick beaches with a view of not just the ocean, but some incredible outcroppings, as well? You can find Waterside Beach in between Cape Enrage and the town of Alma on your way to Fundy National Park, and you can’t miss the red outcroppings that have been carved away by the ocean. You can even walk among them during low tide, but remember to keep an eye out because those tides do change dramatically!
Campobello Island
Campobello IslandOne of the best reasons to visit an island is that you can pretty much find a beach no matter where you look. Some of the best Canadian beaches are located on this historic island where American president Franklin Delano Roosevelt had a summer cottage. You might consider renting your own in order to explore several of the many beach options available here and to avoid the crowds of some of the mainland beaches.
Keep in mind that some of the beaches in New Brunswick can be a bit rocky, so Campobello Island (which is also an International Park run by both governments) might not offer that silky-smooth sand you’re looking for. However, it is a wonderful place to spot whales, migrating birds, seals, and more.
Anchorage Beach
Anchorage BeachAnother beach located on one of the islands in New Brunswick, Anchorage Beach is found on Grand Manan Island and includes plenty of activities besides just sunbathing. Don’t be surprised if you happen to see a breaching whale or two from one of the many cycling and hiking trails within this provincial park. You can also find a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk for those with decreased mobility, and over 275 types of birds make this island their home, so you’re sure to see plenty long after you’ve put your towel and sunscreen away.
Grand-Anse Beach
Grand-Anse is an adorable seaside town with a lovely, unsupervised beach where you can swim, kayak, play volleyball in the available courts, and more. You’ll find a full suite of facilities including washrooms, which makes it easy to wash the sand off after exploring one of the best beaches in Canada. You’ll also find a number of sculpted rock formations that add character to area–they’re best viewed at either sunset or sunrise.
New River Beach
New River BeachFor those looking to experience some of the best that New Brunswick beaches have to offer, you can’t go wrong with New River Beach. With activities available both off and on the water, this provincial park provides camping spaces, soft sand, and plenty of tidal pools where you can get face-to-face with starfish and crabs. If you’re really feeling adventurous after a long day on the beach, you can take out a kayak or hike on one of the trails available.
Gagnon Beach
Beach campers, you’ve found your spot! Located only 12 miles from Shediac, you’ll find a number of camping facilities and a recently-opened spa. Known for its sand, it might be the best beach in Canada to enjoy a dip in the Atlantic salt water without freezing as the Northumberland Strait heats up–just make sure you go in the summer! Perfect for those with kids and those looking to get their sunbathing on in the nicer weather.
Dark Harbour Beach
This natural saltwater pond on Grand Manan Island is ideal for photographers looking to get a unique shot by taking a two-hour hike from the dock. It does take a bit of planning in order to enjoy since the beach and access to it becomes almost completely covered by the ocean during high tide. It’s a well-known spot for fish farming as well as dulse–an edible seaweed found in a number of dishes including sandwiches. Park near the dock so you can be assured that your car won’t wash away with the tide.
Indian Point Beach
This quiet beach in St. Andrews offers some beautiful views of the Bay of Fundy as well as green space for when the tides come in. It’s also a perfect place to see sea life up close as it gets trapped in some of the tide pools. Expect to spot oysters, sea anemones, sponges, and crabs. You might also find a few people from out of town enjoying a lobster broil on the water before heading back to busier parts of the province.
Have you ever visited one of these New Brunswick beaches? Let me know in the comments!
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