From metro-accessible Verdun Beach to the big Laurentian lakes: the best beaches within an hour of Montreal, with prices and tips.
No need to drive three hours to swim: the Montreal area has dozens of beaches and swimming spots within an hour. Here is our pick, from metro-accessible city beaches to Laurentian lakes.
Beaches within 30 minutes
- Verdun Beach (Montreal) — THE urban beach: free, metro-accessible (De l'Église station), supervised river swimming. Small but iconic.
- Parc Jean-Drapeau (Montreal) — Jean-Doré Beach on Île Notre-Dame: sand, watersport rentals and kids' play structures, one metro stop from downtown.
- Bois-de-l'Île-Bizard nature park (Montreal) — a quiet beach on Lac des Deux Montagnes, with trails and marshes to explore.
Beaches within an hour
- Saint-Zotique municipal beach (Montérégie, ~45 min) — 2 km of sand on Lac Saint-François, water games and rentals.
- Îles-de-Saint-Timothée regional park (Valleyfield, ~50 min) — supervised island beach on the river, kayaking and cycling on site.
- Oka National Park (Laurentians, ~45 min) — the classic Sépaq beach: 3 km of sand, dunes and pine forest.
- Rawdon municipal beach (Lanaudière, ~1 h) — river beach with picnic areas; combine with Dorwin Falls 5 minutes away.
- Saint-Gabriel municipal beach (Lanaudière, ~1 h) — on Lac Maskinongé, one of Lanaudière's largest public beaches.
Worth the extra drive
- Plage Major (Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, ~1 h 15) — Lac des Sables and its crystal-clear water.
- Tremblant Beach Park (Mont-Tremblant, ~1 h 30) — combine beach and pedestrian village.
- Sainte-Marguerite-du-Lac-Masson beach (~1 h 10) — Pays-d'en-Haut charm.
Comparison table
| Beach | From MTL | Price | Lifeguards | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verdun | 20 min (metro) | Free | Yes | Quick urban swim |
| Jean-Drapeau (Jean-Doré) | 15 min (metro) | Paid | Yes | Car-free families |
| Saint-Zotique | 45 min | Paid | Yes | Full family day |
| Oka (Sépaq) | 45 min | Paid | Yes | Big nature beach |
| Îles-de-Saint-Timothée | 50 min | Paid | Yes | Swim + kayak |
| Rawdon | 1 h | Paid | Yes | Beach + Dorwin Falls |
Water quality and rules
- River swimming (Verdun, Saint-Timothée) is monitored daily: beaches close temporarily after heavy rain. Check before you go.
- Municipal beaches often restrict alcohol and BBQs — each site has its own rules.
- During heat waves, arrive before 10 am: several beaches hit capacity by late morning.
Explore the map
All Quebec beaches are on our interactive map with photos, prices and official links. Add paddleboarding or kayaking to round out the day.
FAQ
Which beach is closest to downtown Montreal? Jean-Doré Beach (Parc Jean-Drapeau) and Verdun Beach, both metro-accessible.
Can you swim for free near Montreal? Yes: Verdun Beach is free. Most other beaches charge $5-15 per adult.
Is the river clean enough for swimming? At official supervised beaches, yes — water quality is tested regularly and swimming closes when standards are not met.
Best beach with young kids? Saint-Zotique (gentle slope, water games) and Jean-Doré (play structures, calm water).
