Five destinations for relaxing by the water

1. Oka beach

Less than an hour from Montreal

With its stunning sandy shoreline stretching 11 kilometres, the beach at Parc national d’Oka is the perfect spot to set up your umbrella on a day off. Located in the Laurentides region, less than an hour from Montréal, Oka has everything to keep the whole family happy: play structures, basketball hoops, outdoor ping-pong tables, and the Aquazilla inflatable water course, featuring obstacles, slides, and platforms for jumping into the water and cooling off.

You can also rent watercraft, such as stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, and pedal boats. During the summer season, the beach is supervised by our team of lifeguards.

2. Stukely and Fraser beaches

Half an hour from Sherbrooke

Parc national du Mont-Orford is located in the Cantons-de-l’Est region about a half-hour from Sherbrooke and 1.5 hours from Montréal. This is where you’ll find Stukely and Fraser beaches, both of which are supervised and user friendly. For water sports enthusiasts, there’s a wide variety of watercraft available for rent in both sectors, including stand-up paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, and pedal boats. Do you enjoy picnicking? Bring your lunch or even your own comestibles for the grill (BBQs are available at Lac Stukely).

3. Centre touristique du Lac-Simon

In the heart of the Outaouais region

Centre touristique du Lac-Simon is located in Duhamel, in the heart of the Outaouais. In summer, its lovely two-kilometre-long beach of fine golden sand is perfect for lounging in the sun, playing catch, or building sandcastles. Bathing is lifeguard supervised.

Centre touristique du Lac-Simon is a popular destination for families, as it offers a wide variety of playground amenities to entertain the little ones: a giant trampoline, a climbing wall, a spinning climbing frame, a pirate ship, slides, and organized activities are all available free of charge. Watercraft rentals are also at your disposal.

4. Parc national du Bic

25 minutes from Rimouski

Parc national du Bic is located in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region, about 25 minutes from Rimouski. Situated in the St. Lawrence Estuary, Parc du Bic, with its headlands, bays, islands, and mountains, offers a unique atmosphere perfect for relaxation. On beautiful summer days at low tide, it’s truly pleasant to stroll along the shoreline. The scent of the sea and the gentle sea breeze add a touch of magic.

After a long walk, bring a blanket to sit by the water, and if you feel like it, stay to watch the justly renowned, spectacular sunset. The sandy shore at Le Bic is unsupervised.

5. The sandy shore of Pointe-Taillon

In Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean

Stretching 15 kilometres, the sandy shore of Parc national de la Pointe-Taillon is one of the most beautiful in all of Québec. A true inland sea, its clear and exceptionally warm waters in summer delight water sports enthusiasts and beachgoers alike. Canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and pedal boats can be rented at the rental centre.

When the sun is shining, the warm, golden sand invites you to take long barefoot walks along the water’s edge. To keep the kids entertained, a volleyball court is available, as well as outdoor games. Organized activities are also offered during the summer. The sandy shore at Pointe-Taillon is unsupervised.