Summer vacation means beach time, and we’re not talking about a trip to Florida, or a Caribbean island. Canada is home to many world class beaches. We focus a lot on road trips, since according to studies this is an increasingly popular way people are vacationing now. If you’re heading east this summer, into Canada’s Maritime region, there’s no shortages for the traveller seeking a soul-soothing beach vacation.
The Chaleur Region, a collection of coastal towns located in New Brunswick’s northeast, situated on one of UNESCO’s Beautiful Bays in the World, is one of the popular destinations to unwind and soak in the sun. There’s no better menu of beaches and rivers to plop yourself down by, perhaps taking a break from a long road trip somewhere.
Open up a beverage and take in the scenery. The stress reduction benefits are instantaneous. Sunlight boosts serotonin levels, so you’ll feel your mood improving. Being close to nature and away from the hustle of urban life brings a sense of peace, and helps you re-connect with yourself. There’s nothing like the calming sounds of the waves.
Top 6 beach destinations in the Chaleur Region
Taking a look at the Chaleur Region on a map, there’s a long stretch along Road NB-11, running northeast from Salmon Beach to Pokeshaw, a picturesque, coastal retreat as the Gulf of St. Lawrence flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Then north of Bathurst, there’s Belle-Baie (Beresford, Nigadoo, Petit-Rocher and Point-Verte) and Beresford.
Youghall Beach
Youghall Beach is located at 1525 Queen Elizabeth Dr. in Bathurst, where you park the car, walk across a boardwalk that stretches across the beach grass, then onto a beautifully manicured golden sandy beach. Tourists also go there to fish, if that strikes your fancy – great for mackerel and striped bass fishing. The area is also ideal for boating, and kayaking. Swimmers have access to some of the warmest waters in Eastern Canada.
Besides the boardwalk, which reaches the beach from several access points, there’s an outdoor platform where yoga sessions are hosted throughout the summer, five beach volleyball courts, an easily accessible boat slip, an outdoor amphitheater, and a playground area. Ideal for a beach vacation.
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Beresford Beach
Beresford Beach is another popular go-to for the summer road tripper, especially for those who love to go fat biking along the sand, or discover the unique ecosystem of a salt marsh while kayaking. There’s a sandbar as far as the eye can see, a long boardwalk that towers above the water line, and an observation tower. Tourists love it for the hiking, the scenery, a place where aquatic birds, plant life and the sea all meld together.
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Pokeshaw Beach
Tourists stop at Pokeshaw Beach in part to check out the emblematic Pokeshaw Rock, one of the more surprising landmarks you’ll find in Chaleur Bay. It’s a great place to meander about, admire the landscapes as you go down the little paths leading to the beautiful sand. Pokeshaw Beach is located a little northeast of Bathurst. The sunsets here are amazing as well.
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Beach vacation: Nigadoo’s Belvedere
Take exit 321 on Road NB-11 and drive through Rue du Moulin to reach Belvedere Beach, to stand on the shores of the Nigadoo Rivers, serene, great for bird watching. While you’re there, go for a swim in the Bay and, at low tide, walk “in the water” on a unique portion of shore (chemin de la bature). The Belvedere includes a picnic table; ideal for a small family outing and a bench from which you can contemplate the sea. And the sunrise will not disappoint the early risers, searching for a beach vacation.
Beach vacation: Roherty Point Beach
People who are especially into shore fishing head to Belledune’s Roherty Point Beach. You get there off Route 134 and Roherty Road, just west of Veteran’s Memorial Arena. During Belledune Day’s, the annual Mackerel Derby takes place at Roherty Point’s Beach. It’s also great for a picnic with the family or to take in a sunrise.
Parc de la plage – Beach
Another amazing spot for a waterside picnic, a great gathering place for the family. Entertainment takes a place all summer there, including shows with local musicians. Make a day of it – follow Rue Principale to the Parc de la plage, also marked by the area’s quaint streets and charming little shops. When the tide is low, that’s an ideal time to go splashing in the surf with the kids.
I am a 50-something Torontonian who loves everything about my city. It’s been my home, my playground, for my entire life. I went to school here. I met my wife here. I own real estate here. I love writing about the transformation of my city on the world stage, which hasn’t been anything short of dramatic. That continues on, as I write this. I write on the real estate scene. I write on travel and fashion. I like following the world of luxury watches.
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