Summer is made for sun, sand, and swimming, and if that’s your dream vacation there are few better spots than one of New Brunswick‘s warm ocean beaches.
Along the Acadian coast of the province, and the Northumberland Strait, New Brunswick has the warmest saltwater beaches in Canada. During the summer the ocean can be up to 29 degrees Celsius, or 84 degrees Fahrenheit.
North of Virginia, these are the warmest ocean waters, and some of the most beautiful beaches in the country.
From Kouchibouguac National Park‘s Kellys Beach, south to the Bouctouche Dune beach, along the coast to Parlee Beach, Aboiteau Beach, and Murray Beach, these sandy shores are all a short drive from Moncton, and only a 2 hour drive from Fredericton.
These beaches are a perfect stop on a road trip through New Brunswick, and close to the highest tides along the Fundy coast, just a short drive to the south.
So what makes this area so warm? Tourism New Brunswick notes that the Gulf Stream, coming up from Florida, and the shallow waters around the Northumberland Strait, make it the perfect temperature for summer swimming season.
What to know before you go
Admission fees range from $9 at Kouchibouguac, $10 at Aboiteau, and $17.39 at Parlee, which include parking. You can even camp at some of the parks, and they have a range of nearby amenities like bathrooms, change rooms, showers, and food or snacks.
To get the most out of your day and for parking, plan to arrive before noon. If you can arrive by around 11 AM, that will help you get the best spots on the beach, and don’t forget to bring sunscreen, drinking water, and towels.
Some beaches have a few restrictions, so check ahead of time, and due to wildlife and special habitats, a few beaches also do not allow dogs, or your dog will need to be leashed.
During the summer, expect temperatures in the area to reach anywhere from 22 degrees Celsius to over 30 degrees, especially with humidity.
Vacation highlights close to the beaches, and around NB
The area also offers a lot to do beyond the beaches, ranging from hiking and back-country camping at Kouchibouguac, exploring Acadian culture in towns like Bouctouche and Saint-Louis de Kent, to the annual Shediac Lobster Festival in July.
Shediac is a quaint and charming hub for travel near the beaches, too, with a number of inns and B&Bs, in addition to a few hotels, and Moncton is a bigger city with restaurants, shopping, and activities.
New Brunswick is a perfect road trip destination, no matter which way you’re headed, so explore a few more ideas for what to do in the province, especially this summer:
- Discover what to do in Saint John
- Fredericton’s best breweries & the Taproom Trail
- Exploring the Fundy Coastal Drive
- Plan a New Brunswick road trip
Use the map below to find places to stay near Shediac, and watch my video on Kouchibouguac, Bouctouche, and Saint-Louis de Kent at the bottom of the story.
Photos by W. Andrew Powell, The GATE.
