August 2019 Issue #32 August 2019 Issue #32 | Page 98

Îles de la Madeleine,
Quebec
A chain of islands set in the middle
of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, this
whole place is one big, beautiful
beach. The 300-kilometre stretch
of sand is Quebec’s premier spot
for kitesurfing, windsurfing, scuba
diving and just kicking back. Near-
by restaurants have developed
“regional tables” using local food
products, not to mention fresh
lobster, scallops and crab. Try to
secure a room at the gorgeous
four-star Domaine du Vieux Cou-
vent. Winds and whitecaps mean
strong currents, so keep an eye on
the weather.
Wreck Beach, Pacific
Spirit Park, Vancou-
ver, British Columbia
The largest clothing-optional beach
in Canada, located near the Uni-
versity of British Columbia campus,
is “awesome in its quirkiness,”
according to one local aficionado.
Part of a larger scheme of beaches
and parkland on Point Grey, Wreck
Beach is littered with sun worship-
pers, students and teachers, not
to mention urbanites looking to get
the heck out of Dodge. Vendors are
close by with the usual beach-relat-
ed snacks, drinks and hemp jewel-
lery.
Wow factor: Naked people! Every-
where!
98