With temperatures pushing into the 80s across the province this week, there’s really only one sensible plan: get to the water. Luckily, New Brunswick doesn’t just have beaches — it has some of the warmest saltwater swimming in Canada, thanks to the shallow, sun-warmed Northumberland Strait on the province’s eastern coast. Whether you want a lively beach day with all the amenities or a quiet stretch of sand to yourself, here’s where to go.
Parlee Beach, Shediac
If you only make it to one beach this summer, make it this one. Parlee Beach Provincial Park is famous for having some of the warmest saltwater in the country, and it holds a Blue Flag International Eco-Certification for water quality and safety. The beach draws huge summer crowds for good reason: soft sand, calm, current-free water that’s ideal for families, lifeguards on duty, and a steady lineup of beach activities like volleyball and paddleboarding. If you need a break from the sun, the Homarus Eco-Centre nearby lets you get up close with local marine life.
Kellys Beach, Kouchibouguac National Park
For warm water without the Parlee-sized crowds, head to Kellys Beach. It’s reached by a boardwalk that winds out across dunes and a lagoon, which makes the walk in half the fun. The water here is shallow, warm, and supervised in summer, and because it sits inside a national park, you can round out the day with hiking or cycling trails right nearby.
Aboiteau Beach, Cap-Pelé
This five-kilometre stretch along the Acadian Coast is built for a full beach day rather than a quick dip. There’s a boardwalk, cottage rentals, a lookout tower (clear days offer views all the way to Prince Edward Island), and a restaurant on site for when the heat has you craving something cold and the sand something salty.
Murray Beach, Murray Corner
Another warm-water pick on the Northumberland Strait, Murray Beach Provincial Park is a quieter alternative to Shediac’s beach scene while still delivering that same sun-warmed swimming.
Bouctouche Dune
If you’d rather explore than sunbathe, the Bouctouche Dune is a striking 12-kilometre sand dune system with a boardwalk trail through the fragile ecosystem. It’s less about lounging and more about the walk, the birdwatching, and the views — a nice change of pace if you’ve already had your fill of towel-and-cooler beach days this week.
Looking for something rockier? Try the Fundy Coast
Not every beach here is about swimming. The Bay of Fundy side of the province — think St. Martins, the Fundy Trail, and areas around St. Andrews — is colder and better suited to exploring tide pools, sea caves, and dramatic scenery than actually cooling off in the water. It’s worth the drive for the views, just don’t expect a warm swim.
A quick tip for this week
Weather over the next few days is a mixed bag — a warm, mostly sunny day today, cooling off midweek, then warming back up over the weekend before a wetter Sunday. If you’re chasing the hottest, sunniest window, today or Saturday look like your best bets for a beach day, so plan accordingly if you’re driving any distance.
Whichever beach you pick, sunscreen, water, and an early start are your best friends — New Brunswick’s beaches fill up fast once the temperature climbs.
