Parlee Beach
New Brunswick, Canada
Canada's warmest salt water — golden sand on the Northumberland Strait where Maritime hospitality meets world-class lobster in beautiful Shediac.
New Brunswick, Canada
Canada's warmest salt water — golden sand on the Northumberland Strait where Maritime hospitality meets world-class lobster in beautiful Shediac.
Beach Type
Family
Best Season
Jul – Aug
Water Temp
20 – 25 °C
Sand Type
Fine red-golden sand
Crowd Level
Very busy (Jul – Aug)
Lifeguards
Yes (summer season)
Parlee Beach Provincial Park is the most visited beach in New Brunswick and one of the Maritime provinces' most beloved summer destinations. Situated on the Northumberland Strait near the bilingual town of Shediac — the self-proclaimed Lobster Capital of the World — the beach enjoys some of the warmest salt water anywhere in Canada. The shallow strait between New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island acts as a natural solar collector, heating ocean water to a remarkably comfortable 20–25°C during peak summer months.
The beach stretches along a beautiful arc of fine red-golden sand, tinged by the iron-rich soil that gives much of the Maritime coastline its distinctive colour. The water is calm and shallow, with a gentle sandy bottom that makes it exceptionally safe for young children to splash and play. Behind the beach, dune grasses sway in the sea breeze and boardwalks provide easy access. The park is immaculately maintained by the province and consistently earns Blue Flag certification for water quality and environmental management.
A visit to Parlee Beach is inseparable from the culture of Shediac. After a day on the sand, visitors flock to local restaurants for freshly caught Northumberland Strait lobster, steamed mussels, and Acadian cuisine. The annual Shediac Lobster Festival in July draws thousands for live music, cooking competitions, and community celebration. The famous Giant Lobster sculpture at the town entrance is a must-see photo opportunity. Parlee Beach combines the best of Maritime beach life — warm water, great food, and welcoming Acadian hospitality — in one irresistible package.
The world's largest lobster sculpture — a towering aluminium and concrete icon of the Lobster Capital of the World.
An Acadian cultural village in Bouctouche celebrating the literary world of Antonine Maillet with live performances.
Explore the Bouctouche Dune — a 12-km sand dune ecosystem with boardwalks, interpretive centre, and diverse birdlife.
Visit the Magnetic Hill attraction, Resurgo Place museum, and the vibrant downtown restaurants of this bilingual city.
The Northumberland Strait at Parlee Beach can reach 25°C (77°F) in July and August, making it the warmest salt water in Canada. The shallow, protected strait warms rapidly in summer, creating ocean swimming conditions more reminiscent of the mid-Atlantic than the Canadian Maritimes.
The Shediac Lobster Festival typically takes place over five days in early to mid-July. The festival features lobster dinners, live music, cooking competitions, parades, and family entertainment. It's one of New Brunswick's largest annual events — book accommodations well in advance if visiting during this period.
Parlee Beach is one of the best family beaches in Canada. The water is warm, calm, and very shallow — you can walk out a long way before it reaches waist height on an adult. Lifeguards patrol the main beach area in summer, and there are playgrounds and washroom facilities nearby. The sand is soft and perfect for castle building.
Three pristine white sand crescents on Nova Scotia's wild Atlantic coast near Halifax.
The world's longest freshwater beach — 14km of family fun on Georgian Bay in Ontario.
Manitoba's white sand beauty on Lake Winnipeg with towering dunes and warm summer waters.