20 of the Best Off the Radar Spots for a Vacation Home in Canada

Located on the shores of Wawa Lake and only a few minutes’ drive from Lake Superior, Wawa is a great spot for fishing, hiking and snowmobiling in the Algoma District. The town is just under 230 km north of Sault Ste. Marie.

Located at the mouth of the Pugwash River on the Northumberland Strait, Pugwash is home to sandy beaches and some of the warmest waters in Canada. The village is about 170 km north of Halifax.

Cranbrook at the confluence of the Kootenay and St. Mary’s Rivers in southeastern BC is a good choice if you want to vacation in a city that’s not too big and not too small. The surrounding lakes and mountains provide many opportunities for outdoor activities.

Westport lies on the shores of Upper Rideau Lake in Eastern Ontario, just over 115 km southwest of Ottawa. The village offers activities like fishing, boating and hiking.

The hamlet of Laniel lies on the shores of Lake Kipawa in western Quebec. It’s in the Abitibi-Temiscamingue Region and roughly 420 km from Ottawa.

Malagash is a quiet community on the Malagash Peninsula, with the warm waters of the Northumberland Strait providing many opportunities for activities like kayaking and sailing. The local vineyard ensures that you won’t have to drive the one and a half hours to Halifax to stock up on wine.

The municipality of Grenville-sur-la-Rouge in Quebec’s Laurentides region lies along the Ottawa River and about halfway between Ottawa and Montreal. The area is a hub for whitewater rafting.

Less than 60 km from downtown Halifax, the Lake Charlotte area offers backcountry camping, hiking and boating without having to venture too far from the city. There’s a thriving cottage community too.

Batchawana Bay is about 70 km north of Sault Ste. Marie in the Algoma District. The community is on the shores of Lake Superior and aside from its beaches it also offers plenty of birdwatching.

The community of Belleisle lies on the north shore of the Annapolis River and only a short drive or cycle away from the Bay of Fundy. The nearby Belleisle Marsh is a popular birdwatching spot. Halifax lies 185 km to the east.

The municipality of L’Isle-aux-Allumettes covers several islands, including Allumette Island, in the Ottawa River. Chapeau is the main village here and the area is mainly agricultural. Ottawa lies some 150 km to the southeast.

The largest of the islands in Mahone Bay, Big Tancook Island offers a great escape for the artistically minded. Lobster fishing is the main economic activity here but if you’re on vacation, you can also hike, bike or explore the beaches. There’s a ferry service from Chester, 115 km west of Halifax.

The community of Elmsdale lies 125 km from Charlottetown, on the western part of Prince Edward Island. With its inland location it’s mainly a potato-farming area but the island’s beaches are only a short drive away.

Nine Mile River is a good option if you want a taste of rural small-town living, complete with activities like bingo nights and jamborees. The Renfrew Golf Course is located here as well. Nine Mile River is roughly 50 km north of Halifax.

The city of Welland is the centre of the Niagara region and makes a great base from which to explore the area’s famed wineries. It’s home to several festivals and events throughout the year, among them the Welland Rose Festival.

Located along the south shore of Lac Temiscamingue in western Quebec, Temiscaming offers more than just snow sports – including skiing – in winter and hiking in summer. There are several museums in the area and you can also learn more about the culture of the local Algonquin Nation.

If your idea of the perfect vacation includes daily golfing, you may want to invest in a home in Sherwood, about an hour’s drive from Halifax. The community is home to the Sherwood Golf and Country Club.

The community of Inverness lies on the west coast of Cape Breton Island, facing the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In addition to the great beaches here, you’ll find a links golf course and, in summer, harness racing.

Tantallon is a small rural village in the Qu’Appelle Valley. The river and numerous nearby lakes offer good fishing. Regina is 225 km to the west.

The township of Chapleau in the Sudbury District – but still about 450 km from Sudbury itself – is the gateway to the vast Chapleau Crown Game Preserve, home to animals like otters, moose, black bears and wolves. The town is also renowned for its fishing.