As the summertime heat continues to scorch down on us, the most synonymous answer to the hot weather is to cool down on a beach.
The two go hand in hand.
Montreal, and its surrounding areas, feature a wide variety of beaches to check out this summer, some close, some farther away.
So pack the car, grab your friends and head to the beach already – it’s summertime!
See also
- 9 wild water parks you need to day trip to from Montreal this summer
- You can fly from Montreal to South Korea for $700 return this year
- Tips and tricks for camping on a tight budget this summer
- 28 of the most Instagrammable places around Montreal
Oka National Park
hadesebastien/Instagram
Oka National Park boasts a gorgeous beach and a stunning view of Lake Deux Montagnes. They offer a variety of activities including canoeing, kayaking, biking, and pedal boating, or you can simply relax on the cozy sand.
The beach offers numerous picnic tables and several charcoal barbeques to use at your disposal. A lifeguard is always on duty.
When: Until September 2
Time: 8 am – 7 pm
Address: 2020 Chemin d’Oka, Oka
Distance from Montreal: 59 km
Admission: Free
Plage Saint-Zotique
relibadulescu/Instagram
This stunning beach set on the shores of the Saint Lawrence River in the township of Saint-Zotique, roughly an hour west of Montreal.
Plage Saint-Zotique is the perfect spot for a beach getaway without spending too much money. It’s got warm sand, tiki-inspired beach umbrellas, paddleboats, a playground, and a volleyball court.
When: Until September 4
Time: 9 am – 8 pm
Address: 105 81e avenue, Saint-Zotique
Distance from Montreal: 68 km
Admission: Free
Jean-Doré Beach
Parc Jean Drapeau
Jean-Doré Beach is situated on Parc Jean Drapeau and has nice golden‑sand and clear water. What makes it even more appealing is that it’s very close to downtown and easily accessible by bike or public transit.
With a wide swimming area of more than 15,000 square metres, both kids and grown-ups can enjoy a fun-filled day at the beach without going far.
When: Until September 2 (closed August 19 – 23 and 26-30)
Time: 10 am – 7 pm
Address: 151 Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal
Distance from Montreal: 15 km
Admission: 3-13 years: $4.50, 14 years and over: $9
Plage ge Pointe-Calumet
hamonsteph/Instagram
Pointe-Calumet Beach gets too much of a “party vibe” because it hosts the famous Beachclub parties in the summer. But it offers a secluded, quiet alternative for beach-goers who just want to relax in front of the Lake Deux Montagnes along with plenty of sand.
The beach hosts wakeboarding and surfing jumps on the water.
When: Until September 15
Time: Monday to Friday: 10 am – 6 pm, Saturdays and Sundays: 12 pm – 7 pm
Address: 701 38ième, Pointe-Calumet
Distance from Montreal: 53 km
Admission: Monday to Friday: $12, Saturday and Sunday: $15
Saint-Timothée Beach
Destination Valleyfield
The Saint-Timothée beach is located on Ile-Papineau in Valleyfield and is a nice alternative to the lakeside beaches.
The Saint-Timothée beach faces the St-Lawrence River and can offer some pretty decent waves. They have an enclosed section for the young ones and a nice beachside bike path.
When: Until September 9
Time: 10 am – 6 pm
Address: 240, rue Saint-Laurent, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield
Distance from Montreal: 50 km
Admission: 5-15 years and 65 and older: $6, 16 years and older: $10
Sainte Gabriel Beach
angeledcat/Instagram
Sainte Gabriel Beach is a trek from Montreal but ideal for people who enjoy the wilderness. With a total surface area of 10.5 square km and an average depth of 28 metres, Lake Maskinongé is an ideal spot for watersports, swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and sailing.
Sainte Gabriel Beach is full of vacationers every summer for people who really want to get out of the city.
When: Until September 15
Time: 10 am – 6 pm
Address: 45, rue Beausoleil, Saint-Gabriel-de-Brandon
Distance from Montreal: 115 km
Admission: Free
Plage Major – Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts
Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts
Major Beach is the largest beach on Lac-des-Sables, it’s a bit of a hike from Montreal but that’s part of its charm.
Major Beach is secluded, quiet and has golden brown sand. Canoes, kayaks, pedal boats and paddleboards are all available to rent and the beach has a snack bar, outdoor showers, and a volleyball court.
When: Until September 2
Time: 9 am – 8 pm
Address: Chemin du Tour-du-Lac, Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts
Distance from Montreal: 97 km
Admission: Free
Lac Saint-Joseph Beach
aud_anna01/Instagram
The beach at Lac Saint-Joseph is the only place in Quebec where you will find real coconut palm trees (albeit imported).
Lac Saint-Joseph Beach is located on a campsite so after your drive down, spend a few days. The beach has a ton of outdoor activities including fishing, water slides, rowboats and jet-skiing.
The beach itself stretches for an entire kilometre.
When: Until September 2
Time: Open 24 hours a day, lifeguards on duty from 8 am to 9 pm
Address: 7001 Rte de Fossambault, Fossambault-sur-le-Lac
Distance from Montreal: 258 km
Admission: 3-12 years: $10, 13-17 years: $12, 18 and older: $15
l’Île Charron Beach
m0chocolat/Instagram
The l’Îl Charron Beach is located on the south shore of Longueuil and offers a great beachside view and swimming on the St-Lawrence River. Plus, some extended skyline views of the city of Montreal.
The beach is equipped with a boat launch, volleyball courts, a picnic area, and a disc golf course.
When: Until September 3
Time: 6 am – 11 pm
Address: 2495 rue de l’Île-Charron, Longueuil
Distance from Montreal: 30 km
Admission: Free
Lac Simon Beach
marie_evefortin/Instagram
Lac Simon Beach is located on the secluded side of Lake Barriere in Chénéville, the Outaouais region of Quebec.
Lac Simon Beach gives off a very exotic feel: the sand is gorgeous and off-white and a giant pier overlooks the 2-km-long beach.
When: Until September 2 (closed August 26 – 30)
Time: 9:30 am – 5:45 pm
Address: 1216 Rue Principale, Duhamel
Distance from Montreal: 168 km
Admission: Free
Cap-Saint-Jacques National Park Beach
Cap-Saint-Jacques
This regional West Island park is home to some of the best beaches on the island.
There is a natural sand beach and a secluded bay but also calm waters ideal for swimming, kayaking, stand up paddle-boarding, and pedal boats.
When: Until October 12
Time: 10 am – 7 pm
Address: 21115, boul. Gouin Ouest, Pierrefonds
Distance from Montreal: 38 km
Admission: 3-12 years: $4, 12 years and older: $8
Verdun Beach
raphlcyr/Instagram
After years of fumbling with federal and provincial authorizations to complete the project, Verdun Beach finally opened to the public this past June.
The urban beach, located in Arthur-Therrien Park, includes full sand, hammocks, a brick pathway, access to the bike path, and kayak rentals.
Beach access by bus anyone? Verdun Beach is the ideal spot for people who want the beach but no long highways.
When: Until September 2
Time: 10 am – 7 pm
Address: 4110 Boulevard LaSalle, Verdun
Distance from Montreal: 5.6 km
Admission: Free
Follow Channels and Categories