Ingonish Beach

Very much a summer destination, Ingonish Beach pretty much disappears entirely during the winter months, only for the sands to be redeposited afresh by the waves each spring.

Situated within Cape Breton Highlands National Park on Cape Breton Island, the beach forms the ocean-facing edge of a thin strip of land separating a freshwater lake from the Atlantic Ocean.

A boardwalk leads from the car park to the broad expanse of golden sand over rocks that would otherwise be tricky to navigate. Once there, visitors will find toilets, as well as a children’s playground, a couple of tennis courts, canteen and picnic area between July and August. These months also have a lifeguard presence. Dogs are permitted on the beach so long as they remain on a lead.