Toronto is known for its vibrant city life but locals know that the region boasts many stunning beaches that offer a refreshing escape from the urban core. These are some of the very best beaches in and around Toronto, offering the perfect combination of relaxation, adventure, and natural beauty.
1. Bluffer’s Park And Beach
Tucked beneath the captivating Scarborough Bluffs, Bluffer’s Park and Beach offers an amazing retreat from city life. Whether you’re planning a picnic or something more adventurous, the expansive beach, framed by turquoise waters, provides a serene escape outside Toronto. Hiking and biking enthusiasts will love the breathtaking views. Equipped with amenities like washrooms, changing facilities, and drinking fountains, Bluffer’s Park is family-friendly.
2. Cherry Beach
Cherry Beach stands out from the pack for its rocky shores and green expanses, making it a playground for sports fans. The area features windsurfing, kitesurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, multiple bike trails, and picnic spots. This beach is dog-friendly, featuring an off-leash dog area for your furry companions. However, the sand here is more coarse than others on the list, which might be a consideration if you’re traveling with small children.
3. Cobourg Beach
If you want to escape Toronto entirely, Cobourg Beach is the perfect destination. There are pretty views, a nice boardwalk, and soft white sands. Kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards are available for rent and there are volleyball courts as well. And, as all Torontonains know, the town is also home to the Big Apple. This roadside attraction is hard to miss and offers a large apple-themed store and bakery.
4. Crystal Beach
Crystal Beach is located on Lake Erie and offers a little slice of paradise with its vast sandy shore and crystal-clear waters. A beloved multigenerational retreat, it’s popular among both locals and visitors. However, visitors should note that this beach can be lively (which is a polite way to say that it’s party-infused on weekends), so it might not be the best choice for peaceful sunbathing. Nonetheless, the white sand beauty and stunning views make it a worthwhile destination.
5. Grand Bend Beach
Spanning around 20 acres, Grand Bend Beach offers soft sands, inviting waters, and a fun atmosphere. Grand Bend is bustling with activity due to its popularity, offering various dining and snacking options, making it a perfect spot for a beach day. If you’re camping at the nearby Pinery Provincial Park, it’s well worth making the trip into town just for the beach alone. Grand Bend’s Main Beach is one of only 22 in Canada to have earned official Blue Flag status for its commitment to strict water quality and safety criteria. Grand Bend also features mats to make the beach more accessible to people using wheelchairs or strollers.
6. Ipperwash Beach
Nestled within Lambton Shores, Ipperwash Beach is one of Ontario’s longest freshwater beaches. Its gentle shallows are ideal for serene swims and its tranquil ambiance sets it apart from busier beaches. Nearby eateries ensure satisfying dining options, making it a relaxing destination. Just like Grand Bend, Ipperwash is just a short distance from Pinery Provincial Park.
7. Kelso Conservation Area
Located in Milton, Kelso Lake is a short trip from the city, offering an idyllic outdoor day for water sports and relaxation. Families can walk down the stroller-friendly boardwalk around the lake; take to the water with a canoe, kayak, paddleboat, or stand-up paddleboard; or just enjoy an afternoon at the beach. Kelso has an extensive network of trails that can be used for hiking or mountain biking.
8. Kew-Balmy Beach
Kew-Balmy Beach offers a serene escape just steps away from Woodbine Beach, another popular spot for Torontonians. With its versatile amenities like a playground, fitness equipment, a lawn-bowling club, a boardwalk, and an off-leash dog area, it caters to all kinds of visitors. While it bustles on the weekends, it retains a local vibe, making it perfect for unwinding with a book.
9. Marie Curtis Beach Park
Nestled at the city’s edge, Marie Curtis Beach Park provides a refreshing change from bustling city life. History lovers will be keen to note that this is one of the few beaches in North America named after a female community leader. The park was created in the late 1950s as a way to control flooding after a devastating hurricane. Now, it’s home to wildlife, native plants, a wading pool, picnic spots, walking trails, and its namesake beach.
10. Port Burwell Beach
Located on Lake Erie’s northern shore, Port Burwell Beach presents an enchanting expanse with a 1.5-mile stretch of sandy shoreline. Volleyball nets, picnic benches, hiking trails, camping, a submarine (really!), a marine museum, a lighthouse, marinas, a provincial park, and ample amenities enhance the experience. It’s another beach that has the rare Blue Flag certification for commitment to water quality and environmental protection.
11. Port Stanley Beach
Situated along Lake Erie, Port Stanley offers a stunning shoreline and a variety of activities. The serene waters invite refreshing swims, while the expansive beach ensures ample space for all to enjoy. Port Stanley also features mats to make the beach more accessible to people using wheelchairs or strollers. Looking for something a little smaller? Head down the road to Port Stanley’s Little Beach, where you’ll find 600 feet of secluded sandy beach and shallow water that’s well protected by a berm.
12. Rouge Beach
Nestled near the Rouge River, Rouge Beach offers sun-soaked days with beautiful views and excellent hiking, cycling, and paddling. Despite its name, the beach is not “rouge” or red at all. It’s named for the river while the beach itself features white sand and blue waters. This is a popular fishing destination and there is also excellent birdwatching at the nearby Rouge Marsh.
13. Sandbanks Provincial Park
Sandbanks Provincial Park showcases sprawling sandy beaches, tranquil waters, and huge white sand dunes. As one of the most popular provincial parks in Ontario, this is a busy weekend destination and reservations for day-use are highly recommended. If you hope to camp here, book well in advance. When you’re in the area, be sure to stop by some of the many wineries, cheese shops, and food emporiums.
14. Sauble Beach
Though a bit of a trek from Toronto (just under 3 hours away), Sauble Beach’s white sands, magnificent views, and captivating sunsets make it a worthy escape. With over 6 miles of shoreline, it offers a host of water activities on Lake Huron. Sauble boasts that it’s Canada’s number one freshwater beach. That’s a tough claim to verify but we’d like to think that Sauble Beach is definitely up there!
15. Singing Sands Beach
Part of Bruce Peninsula National Park, Singing Sands Beach offers sand dunes, wetlands, and hiking trails. Embrace the beauty of blooming flowers and endless wonders on Lake Huron’s shores. The cute name has a lot of science behind it. The grains of sand actually squeak or “sing” when you drag your feet on the shore. What you’re hearing is the high content of silica and quartz in the dry sand particles that rub together and create a sound as you’re walking.
16. Sugar Beach
A beach in the heart of downtown? Why not! A former industrial area across from the Redpath Sugar Factory is now a sandy beach complete with pink umbrellas. There’s no swimming at Sugar Beach but no one seems to mind. It’s a charming, whimsical escape from the city.
17. Wasaga Beach
It’s not the closest to the city, but any Torontonian will tell you that a summertime trek to Wasaga Beach is a quintessential part of the city’s summertime experience. Wasaga is the world’s longest freshwater beach (actually six beaches spread over nearly 7 miles). It’s a fun, exciting spot with superb swimming.