Sandy Bay public beach is rated one of the top inland beaches in Canada! It features fine light sand and very clear water. The lake bottom is also soft and sandy with no evidence of weeds. Some reeds do wash up along stretches of shoreline, but in small amounts. The shoreline across from and surrounding the beach is very natural and features dense forest giving the lake a natural feel. Wildlife (particularly waterfowl) are abundant and you can both see and hear them while relaxing on the beach. Candle Lake Provincial Park is split into two sections – highway 120 leads to the eastern half and highway 265 leads to the western side. These highways are connected by Main Street (which is unpaved). Sandy Bay is located in the western part of the park. There is a paved parking lot and you can easily access the beach from the lot via a small wooden boardwalk or a short paved pathway.

The depth of the water drops off after a few meters but the bottom remains sandy. The beach is over 1km long and runs along the length of the bay. This location helps protect the beach from wave and boat activity, making it a more quiet and calm destination. There is a designated swimming area marked by buoys, and all swimming is unsupervised. No pets on the beach.

The beach opens up to a grassy park that features outhouses, trash and recycling facilities, drinking water, as well as basketball and volleyball courts. There is a bike rack and several walking trails in the area. Behind the park, there is a small wetland that is home to many local and migratory birds. Further down the beach there is a public boat launch and dock. The campground (a short walk from the beach) features more washroom and shower facilities. There are several day use sites near the beach and wildlife in the park is plentiful. Angling restrictions apply to Candle Lake so check the provincial regulations before fishing!

The description above was copied from or heavily based on Swim Guide, with permission.

More Information

• Swim Guide - Weather and water quality for Candle Lake Provincial Park Public Beach at Sandy Bay Campground and 8,000 other beaches.