Best of Canada
The Best Coastal Towns in Canada
Atlantic harbours, Pacific surf breaks and the places where Canada meets the sea.
Canada has the world's longest coastline, and its best coastal towns are wildly different from one another. On the Atlantic, working harbours and Celtic music. On the Pacific, surf breaks and rainforest. These are the ones worth the drive.
Summer is peak; September offers warm water and thin crowds on both coasts.
1Lunenburg
A UNESCO world-heritage wooden-ship town of painted houses and the Bluenose schooner. The prettiest harbour in Atlantic Canada.
Explore Lunenburg
2Tofino
Pacific surf town on Vancouver Island's west coast. Storm watching in winter, long beaches in summer, hot springs year-round.
Explore Tofino
3Cavendish
Anne of Green Gables country on PEI's north shore — red cliffs, sandy coves and the Confederation Trail.
Explore Cavendish
4Prince Rupert
Northern BC's rainforest port — grizzly bear viewing, First Nations art and the ferry gateway to Haida Gwaii.
Explore Prince Rupert
5Peggy's Cove
A granite-barren lighthouse village an hour from Halifax — the most photographed cove in Canada.
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