Parlee Beach Provincial ParkAbout Parlee Beach Provincial Park
Parlee Beach Provincial Park is a provincial park on the Northumberland Strait in southeastern New Brunswick near the town of Shediac. It is widely known locally for its sandy shore and relatively warm seawater in summer.
The park’s main attraction is a broad, sandy beach used for swimming, sunbathing, and family recreation; the shallow waters of the Northumberland Strait warm more than typical Atlantic waters. The site includes a staffed day-use beach area and an adjoining campground that provides direct access to the shore.
The site has been managed as a New Brunswick provincial park and day-use area to support recreation on this section of coastline. Management focuses on providing beach and camping facilities while protecting the coastal environment.
The park sits on the Northumberland Strait near the town of Shediac on New Brunswick’s southeastern coast, within driving distance east of the Moncton metropolitan area.
- Warm water: The Northumberland Strait’s shallow waters warm quickly in summer, making swimming unusually comfortable for Atlantic Canada.
- Facilities: Park facilities include a staffed day-use beach area and a provincial campground managed by New Brunswick Provincial Parks.
What to See#
- Main beach: A broad sandy shoreline on the Northumberland Strait that is the park’s primary attraction; the beach is noted for shallow, warm saltwater relative to much of Atlantic Canada and is used for swimming and family recreation.
- Campground: A provincially managed day-use area and adjoining campground offering overnight stays during the summer season, with basic camping facilities and direct access to the beach.
Best Time to Visit Parlee Beach Provincial Park
Prime summer destination-visit June through August for warm water and full services; late spring and early autumn are quieter with milder weather.
Weather & Climate near Parlee Beach Provincial Park
Parlee Beach Provincial Park's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -13°C to 24°C. Abundant rainfall (1133 mm/year), wettest in December, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -13° - -4° | -15° | 104 mm | - | - | 5.0 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -12° - -3° | -14° | 86 mm | - | - | 4.9 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -7° - 2° | -8° | 98 mm | - | - | 5.0 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | -1° - 8° | -1° | 80 mm | - | - | 4.8 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 5° - 15° | 8° | 94 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 10° - 21° | 15° | 95 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 14° - 24° | 19° | 96 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 14° - 24° | 19° | 84 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 9° - 19° | 14° | 88 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 4° - 13° | 5° | 98 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -1° - 6° | -2° | 103 mm | - | - | 4.8 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -9° - -1° | -11° | 107 mm | - | - | 5.2 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Parlee Beach Provincial Park
Parlee Beach is located near Pointe‑du‑Chêne, about a 20‑minute drive east of Moncton (approx. 40 km). From Moncton follow Route 15 east, then Route 133 toward Shediac and Pointe‑du‑Chêne. Seasonal shuttle services and local buses may operate during summer events.
Tips for Visiting Parlee Beach Provincial Park
- If visiting in summer, arrive early-parking fills quickly and the best stretches of sand are claimed by midmorning.
- Bring water shoes: the bay's bottom is shell‑speckled and comfortable to walk on, but some stones appear at low tide.
- Check tides before swimming-conditions change quickly along the Northumberland Strait.