The East Beaches Summer Guidebook
Beaches
Great family beach for early summer. Long stretch of soft, white sand and shallow water entrance. Also enjoy critter dipping with the kids.
13 locals recommend
Lester Beach
Great family beach for early summer. Long stretch of soft, white sand and shallow water entrance. Also enjoy critter dipping with the kids.
Our family favourite for late summer. Small and family friendly beach that has nice shallow entrance and water is always calmer and clearer here - year round. Local secret.
Wanasing Beach
Our family favourite for late summer. Small and family friendly beach that has nice shallow entrance and water is always calmer and clearer here - year round. Local secret.
A bustling community with playground, bakery, restaurant and grocery store. Be sure to visit the Pier for local fishing or just the view, and the summer Farmers Market (before gate entrance).
23 locals recommend
Victoria Beach
A bustling community with playground, bakery, restaurant and grocery store. Be sure to visit the Pier for local fishing or just the view, and the summer Farmers Market (before gate entrance).
Hillside Beach is another close by option for a quiet beach experience.
21 locals recommend
Hillside Beach
Hillside Beach is another close by option for a quiet beach experience.
Albert Beach has 2 miles of white sandy beach and quiet water. Located in a quaint beach village with Saffies Grocery store, Le Gouter restaurant and Beach Hut apparel store.
17 locals recommend
Albert Beach
Albert Beach has 2 miles of white sandy beach and quiet water. Located in a quaint beach village with Saffies Grocery store, Le Gouter restaurant and Beach Hut apparel store.
Grand Beach
This beach speaks for itself. Grand size and luxurious sand.
This long stretch of beach gives it its name. During low tide summers, you can walk 1.5 km to Elk Island along sand and in shallow water pockets. Higher tide summers you can take small non-motorized crafts to the Island.
Sandy Bay Beach
This long stretch of beach gives it its name. During low tide summers, you can walk 1.5 km to Elk Island along sand and in shallow water pockets. Higher tide summers you can take small non-motorized crafts to the Island.
Shopping
Carol's on Leon is a must stop for unique clothing, housewares, jewellery and more.
Carols On Leon
46 Leon DriveUnique gift shop with something for everyone.
Visit Traverse Bay Corner for gas, liquor mart, convenience store, laundromat, Mini Golf, ice cream and of course, the Lakehouse Treasures gift shop.
Esso
Visit Traverse Bay Corner for gas, liquor mart, convenience store, laundromat, Mini Golf, ice cream and of course, the Lakehouse Treasures gift shop.
Largest selection of groceries in the East Beaches. Friendly staff. Gas Station.
19 locals recommend
Saffies General Store, Albert Beach
2 Rue GirardLargest selection of groceries in the East Beaches. Friendly staff. Gas Station.
Food scene
Great pizzas, ice cream and much more home cooking choices. Small convenience store and gas station too.
18 locals recommend
Hillside Beach Store & Eatery
38167 Hillside Beach RdGreat pizzas, ice cream and much more home cooking choices. Small convenience store and gas station too.
Amazing family restaurant with the best Bean and Sweet Potato Burger you have ever tasted. And did I mention the Crepes?
11 locals recommend
Le Gouter
170 Saffie RdAmazing family restaurant with the best Bean and Sweet Potato Burger you have ever tasted. And did I mention the Crepes?
Under Renovation - still serving ice cream and has local food trucks.
8 locals recommend
Moonlight Inn
106 1 AveUnder Renovation - still serving ice cream and has local food trucks.
Village Green Bakery
The bakery is always an excuse to park and walk around Victoria Beach.
Sightseeing
Elk Island is a hidden treasurer that can be accessed via canoe or kayak during high tide or by foot in low tide.
Park at the end of Olafsson Blvd (take left at the end of hwy 504). Then take Sandy Bay beach path to the lake. Start your trek by heading North or Right down the beach). About 20 minute walk to Elk Island. Come prepared if you plan on hiking inside Elk Island. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/manitoba/elk-island-loop-trail.
If you are canoeing or kayaking, wear life jackets and check the wind forecast as the weather/wind can change quickly making the lake unpredictable.
6 locals recommend
Elk Island
Elk Island is a hidden treasurer that can be accessed via canoe or kayak during high tide or by foot in low tide.
Park at the end of Olafsson Blvd (take left at the end of hwy 504). Then take Sandy Bay beach path to the lake. Start your trek by heading North or Right down the beach). About 20 minute walk to Elk Island. Come prepared if you plan on hiking inside Elk Island. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/manitoba/elk-island-loop-trail.
If you are canoeing or kayaking, wear life jackets and check the wind forecast as the weather/wind can change quickly making the lake unpredictable.
Things to Do
Grand Pines Golf Course
Provincial Trunk Highway 59Pete's Grand Putt
137 Grand Beach RdVictoria Beach Community Center
65 Arthur RoadPlayground, Farmers Market, Hike
Charlie Wall Park
15 Hillside Beach RoadLester Beach Sports Field
Playground and sports ground
Brokenhead Wetland Interpretive Trail
59 Provincial Trunk Hwy 12Alberto Aiello Park in Belair Properties has a large commercial grade play structure overlooking the lake with picnic tables.
20 Lakeview Dr, Bélair, MB R0E 0E0, Canada
Alberto Aiello Park in Belair Properties has a large commercial grade play structure overlooking the lake with picnic tables.
City advice
Don't miss
ATV or Quad Trails
Visit local sites for trail maps and information:
Belair ATV Club
http://www.belairatvclub.ca/
Don't miss
Sunrises / Sunsets
From the shores of Lake Winnipeg, you will find some of the most beautiful sunsets and sunrises in Manitoba. To catch the sunset, I recommend two sunset vistas:
1. End of Mary Glenn Road
2. Victoria Beach Pier
To catch a sunrise, the Albert Beach shoreline will not leave you disappointed.
Don't miss
Geocaching
There are geocaches to be found throughout East Beaches. Popular places include Victoria Beach and in Belair, where we planted 6 geocaches. Download the Geocaching App to search for our Belair geocaches and more:
Mary Glenn Delight, Sunset Vista, Forest Path, Get Pumped, Things are Getting Rocky and Nature Run.
Don't miss
Local Events
Check out the events, concerts, markets, etc happening around the East Beaches area:
https://www.beachesof59.ca/events
Don't miss
Hiking Trails
1. Victoria Beach Trails (trail head at Beaches Community Centre - previously Victoria Beach Community Centre)
2. Trans Canada Trail runs right through the East Beaches
3. Brokenhead Wetland Trail
4. Red River North Trail
5. The Great Trail – nice path connecting Lester Beach and Grand Beach campground via the end of Lester Blvd.
6. Northstar Trail off of Hwy 59 (3 km south of Belair Rd turn off)
7. Pinawa Trails - Pinawa Channel Heritage Walk (Trans Canada Trail), Ironwood Trail, Pine Point Trail