Summary

One of Canada’s largest city, Montreal is quickly establishing itself as one of the world’s best river surfing destinations. Being strategically located next to St. Lawrence River, runway from the Great Lakes into the Atlantic Ocean, Montrealers have learned to master the rapids for well over a couple decades now.

In 2020, the city of Montreal has announced a $2.4 million investment to improve the surfing infrastructure at one of the city’s favorite surf spot, La Vague à Guy. This was a clear statement of Montreal’s potential and surge in popularity of this sport in the region and its will to help the sport grow.

Every year, more adepts make their first steps on a wave in Montreal and the number of river surfers in the region is now estimated to be over 10,000.

Surf spots near Montreal

La Vague à Guy

A soft and very consistent wave that works throughout the year,  La Vague à Guy is the best river surfing spot in Montreal for beginners and long boarders. Its proximity to shore and smooth current make it a fairly safe environment to learn and make you way into the sport. The recent infrastructure improvements also make it less intimidating and more welcoming for first timers.  However, it is much preferable for beginners to start with a lesson or get introduced to the spot by an experienced surfer in order to avoid hazards and learn how the line-up works.

Ideal surfboard: 7’6″ “Mini Malibu style” or any long board

Habitat 67 (shore)

A fairly inconsistent, yet very fun wave when it does work. Habitat’s shore wave is sensitive to water level variations and works best at around 1.50m.

Ideal surfboard: To match the wave’s steepness, a board between 5’4″ and 5’10” is best.

Habitat 67 (main)

If the water level is too low for Habitat’s shore wave, the main wave should be on. Starts to break softly at around 1.60m and peaks in quality below 0.60m.

Ideal surfboard: In prime conditions, below 0.60m, a funboard is best. However, such conditions happen rarely. On most days, it is a soft wave requiring a board with good volume or a long board.

How to read river surfing conditions in Montreal

River waves, just like ocean waves, work differently depending on some conditions. If ocean surfers read wind, swell and tidal charts, river surfers will look into the water level and debit to know which spot works best. Every river surfing spot will be more or less affected by water level variations, making some waves break differently from one day to the other.

Which board is best for river surfing in Montreal

Every surf spot has its own characteristics which make it difficult to pick one ideal board for river surfing in Montreal. However, you will want to have enough volume to catch the wave and stay on it while having the right board length depending on how steep the wave is. 

Best time to surf Montreal’s river waves

Although in Montreal, temperatures drop well below freezing level in winter, there are surfers in the river all year long. From December to March, a big hazard is the ice flowing down stream on certain days. When it is the case, things can easily become dangerous both for the surfer and its equipment. Therefore, in winter, surfers will want to go out on days where ice isn’t an issue.

Summer time is obviously extremely enjoyable with warm temperatures and great conditions. However, that is when crowds reach their apex and line-ups become unbearable for some surfers.

Safety/things to know

Just like ocean surfing, river surfing comes with some risk like strong current, rocks or ice. It is important to start with a surf lesson or to be accompanied by an experienced surfer to understand the different hazards of every spot.

With the ever growing popularity of river surfing, a good surfing etiquette is mandatory so that everyone keeps having fun despite heavy crowds. A standing wave breaks forever and most surfers could potentially ride it for several minutes would they want to. However, most surfers follow a “one-minute rule” which allows everyone to take turns and enjoy the wave!

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Summary

Lawrencetown is one of Canada’s most iconic surf destinations, located just 25 minutes from Halifax on the rugged Atlantic coastline of Nova Scotia. This small surf community has earned a strong reputation among cold-water surfers thanks to its consistent waves, natural beauty, and welcoming vibe.

Whether you’re chasing your first wave or looking for long left-hand point breaks, Lawrencetown Beach and the surrounding surf spots offer something for every level. The powerful Atlantic swells and varied coastline create excellent conditions year-round if you’re brave enough to bundle up in the winter.

Nova Scotia’s coastline has a unique exposure to a variety of swell and wind directions. This makes Lawrencetown one of the most reliable and versatile surfing locations in Eastern Canada. From mellow beach breaks to hollow reef setups and peeling point breaks, there’s almost always a surfable wave if you know where to look.

When to surf Lawrencetown

The very best time to surf Lawrencetown, Canada is from September to November while Nova Scotia receives some hurricane swells traveling up the Atlantic Ocean. The summer months, from June to August will be less consistent, but still offer great waves and milder temperatures.

In winter, the surf in Nova Scotia can be absolutely epic for those who don’t mind wearing thick wet suits as temperatures often drop below freezing level.

Surf Spots in Lawrencetown

Lawrencetown Beach Park

This is the most consistent and popular surf spot in Nova Scotia. It can hold decent size, especially during hurricane season. There are amenities and parking nearby, and it’s patrolled during summer months.

• Wave direction : Left and right
• Bottom : Sand
• Best tide : Any
• Skill level : Any
• Optimal swell direction : SE
• Optimal wind direction : NW

Lawrencetown Point

Doesn’t work all that often but when it does, it is a magical, long left-hand point break. Needs a decent southeasterly swell, usually happening a few days between September and April.

• Wave direction : Left
• Bottom : Rocks
• Best tide : Any
• Skill level : Any
• Optimal swell direction : SE
• Optimal wind direction : NW

Cow Bay

Located closer to Dartmouth, Cow Bay offers another reliable option that’s slightly more exposed to easterly swells. It’s less crowded than Lawrencetown but can get heavy.

• Wave direction : Right and left
• Bottom : Reef/rocks
• Best tide : Any
• Skill level : Any
• Optimal swell direction : E
• Optimal wind direction : NW

Martinique Beach

One of the longest sandy beaches in Nova Scotia, this spot is ideal for beginner and intermediate surfers. It offers playful peaks and a scenic backdrop. Located about 45 minutes from Halifax.

• Wave direction : Left and right
• Bottom : Sand
• Best tide : Any
• Skill level : Any
• Optimal swell direction : SE
• Optimal wind direction : NW

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Tofino is a small Canadian surf town located on the west side of Vancouver Island, in the province of British Columbia. While Canada’s west coast is obviously better known for its Rockies and ski resorts, it also has some amazing waves and surfing potential.

Over winter, Tofino is very quiet and almost only locals hit the surf which can tend to be big and stormy. Most tourists actually come to Tofino in winter for the sole purpose of storm watching. However, during summer, it becomes a tourist hotspot and a great place to meet young surfers. The main thing that attracts people here is surfing and hanging in a true Canadian piece of paradise.

Tofino, a vibrant summer surf town

The summer swells are very gentle and beginner-friendly while fall and winter conditions become way more challenging and should only be tackled by experienced surfers. Also, pretty much all the surf spots here are beach breaks making it another good reason for beginners to come spend a summer and play in the Pacific Ocean.

The Island of Vancouver is gifted with incredible natural beauty and any lover of the great outdoors will fall in love with this place. You may even spot some bears, cougars, whales, seals and wolves!

When to surf in Tofino

The absolute best time to surf in Tofino, Canada is from September to November while the water is not freezing cold yet, but waves start picking up in size and consistency. The summer crowds is gone for the most part and you still have quite a bit of daylight in the evening.

Winter in Tofino will obviously be bigger in size as the same storms that push huge swells into Hawaii travel all the way to the other side of the Pacific and hit the Canadian coastline. The climate is not as enjoyable as most days are cloudy, rainy and chilly. It is worth noting that unlike the rest of Canada, temperatures rarely fall below freezing point on Vancouver Island.

For beginners and long boarders, the best time to surf Tofino is in summer, from May to September, while waves are smaller, weather is more pleasant and the town gets nice and lively.

Where to stay in Tofino

Tofino is a small town that tends to get extremely busy in the summer months, making it hard to find last minute accommodation. If you are planning on visiting Tofino from June to August, make sure to book well in advance. In Tofino, you will not find any big resorts. Most hotels are nice and cozy, some of them offering great sea views.

Keed in mind that Tofino is fairly strict with “van lifers” and people camping around in prohibited areas. There is a dedicated logging road, near the information center, at the junction between Ucluelet and Tofino, which is where all van lifers can safely stay overnight.

Best vacation rentals in Tofino

The Anchorage, Perfect Waterfront Suite (2 guests)

Dunes Cabin at Chesterman Beach (4 guests)

Oceanfront Rancher in Tofino (6 guests)

Best hotels and resorts in Tofino

Best Value : Hotel Zed, a brand new establishment near Tofino and surf spots! Tofino Hotel Harborview, great location at an affordable price.

High-end : Cox Bay Beach Resort has probably the best location out of every Tofino hotels…Right on Cox Bay! Pacific Sands Beach Resort is another great option with an amazing service and great rooms.

Surf spots in Tofino

Cox Bay

A beautiful bay catching anything from southwest to northwest and offers a nice surfing setup across the whole bay. Beginners can find their fun on the inside wash while advanced surfers can head to either end of the beach for more consistent breaks. Cox Bay is one of the most consistent surf spot in Tofino and can handle large crowds as it often breaks on the whole beach.

• Wave Direction : Left & Right
• Bottom : Sand
• Best tide : Any
• Skill level : Any
• Optimal swell direction : SW to NW
• Optimal wind direction : E

Long Beach

A bit further away from Tofino, almost half way to Ucluelet, Long beach is a perfect place for beginners to learn how to surf over the summer months. In winter, Long Beach is quite exposed which makes things fairly tricky. Long Beach is part of the Pacific Rim National Park so be prepared for paid parking when you surf this spot.

• Wave direction : Left and right
• Bottom : Sand
• Best tide : Any
• Skill level : Any
• Optimal swell direction : W
• Optimal wind direction : NE

Chesterman South

This side of Chesterman beach is often more sheltered from big NW swells which makes this spot a nice place for long boarders or beginners. When waves get too big for Cox Bay, most surfers check out Chesterman as a smaller option.

• Wave direction : Left and right
• Bottom : Sand
• Best tide : Any
• Skill level : Any
• Optimal swell direction : W
• Optimal wind direction : E

Chesterman North

Slightly more exposed than Chesterman South, but less than Cox Bay, this spot is another good option to check for a typical Vancouver Island beach break. It is also one of the go to spots during the winter months when Cox Bay is closing out.

• Wave direction : Left and right
• Bottom : Sand
• Best tide : Any
• Skill level : Any
• Optimal swell direction : SW
• Optimal wind direction : E

How to get to Tofino

The best way to get to Tofino is to drive across beautiful Vancouver Island from either Nanaimo or Victoria. Ferries between those two cities and the mainland run on a daily basis and the ride is a couple hours long. If you have a car, you will have to pay about 200 dollars for a one way ticket. If you are only by foot and are looking to grab the bus, it will be much cheaper.

There are a few international flights that land in Victoria but the biggest airport is in Vancouver, from which you will have to take a ferry. Driving to Tofino will take you about 2 hours and a half from Nanaimo and almost twice as much time from Victoria. You can also take the bus from both cities and arrive right in Tofino town center.

Things to know before surfing Tofino

• Water in Tofino is cold even through the summer months. A good wet suit is needed all year long.
• Canada has a Working Holiday program for young travelers that allows you to work and stay in Canada for up to two years. This is probably the best way to discover Tofino and the rest of the Country on a long-term trip.

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