Cape Breton Highlands National Park of Canada
Swimming
The Park is home to a variety of superb beaches. Choose between salt or freshwater, or enjoy both!
The Ingonish Beach Day Use Area
Enjoy an evening stroll along beautiful Ingonish Beach.© Cape Breton Highlands National Park / Gerry Boulet, 2007This is the only beach in the park featuring both fresh and salt water swimming.
A sandy ocean beach is washed away each winter and redeposited here each spring by the action of the waves. Over thousands of years, large cobblestones on the beach are worn round and smooth from being ground against one another by the action of the waves. A barachois composed of beach cobbles blocked off a cove centuries ago, cutting it off from the salty Atlantic Ocean. Cross the barachois to take a dip in warm Freshwater Lake.
Ingonish Beach offers supervised saltwater and freshwater swimming.© Cape Breton Highlands National Park / J. SteevesServices include: Washrooms and change houses, playground, picnic area, tennis courts and a canteen during July and August. Surf guards are on duty at both saltwater and freshwater beaches during July and August.
The North Bay Day Use Area
Swimmers and sunbathers alike can enjoy the sandy beach at North Bay.
© Cape Breton Highlands National ParkA long, sandy ocean beach. Please do not walk on the dune grasses behind the beach; dune vegetation is extremely delicate and is the only thing that holds the sand in place. It is also habitat for many species of birds, insects and some snakes.
Services include: Washrooms and change rooms at North Bay Operations Office and picnic area. No surf guards on duty.
Black Brook Beach
Black Brook Beach.
© Cape Breton Highlands National Park / Marie StradeskiA small beach embraced by a headland on one side. Like Ingonish Beach, the sand is washed away each winter and redeposited each spring! Black Brook cuts the beach in two. Over the course of the year, the sandspit at the mouth of the brook shifts continuously, dependent on the tides and currents. Park your vehicle in the paved lot north of Black Brook.
Services include: Washrooms, change rooms, kitchen shelter, playground and picnic area. No surf guards on duty.
Warren Lake Beach
Look out for loons while swimming at Warren Lake Beach.© Cape Breton Highlands National Park / P. DoyleA pretty, secluded freshwater beach with pink sand. Listen for loons calling on the lake in the evening.
Services include: Pit privies and picnic area. No surf guards on duty.
La Bloc Beach
La Bloc Beach is a great place to enjoy a seaside walk.© Cape Breton Highlands National Park / E. WallaceThe only beach on the western side of the park! A pebbly beach, it is excellent for walking but also is popular with sunbathers and swimmers. A great place to watch sunsets in the evening.
Services include: Pit privies and picnic area. No surf guards on duty.