The fine sand that forms this beach was transported to the seashore by several rivers. The sources of these rivers are in the surrounding mountains. As they flow seaward, they have cut through thick sand rich glacial deposits . The sand has been eroded from the deposits and dumped in the ocean. Waves and currents have brough the sand on-shore to create this beautiful beach.
Beaches are at the mercy of a pounding sea.
In the 1960's, Cape Ray beach was twice as wide as it is today. The beach lost much of its width during a series of storms in the late 60's. Over a decade ago, archaeologists uncovered the remains of a Dorest Eskimo culture nearby. This is one of only a few such sites on the island of Newfoundland. The waters off Cape Ray Beach form the Cabot Strait and the Gulf of St. Lawrence and are often too cold for swimming.