Ontario is our house. We have camped, hiked, biked, and road-tripped your entire province. As journey bloggers, you’ll suppose we’d be residing in one of many digital nomad sizzling spots like Mexico or Thailand, however Ontario will all the time be our without end house. We are near the Great Lakes, provincial parks, iconic locations like Niagara Falls and the CN Tower, and, after all, superb seashores.
Canadians love the summer time season; it’s cottage season, after we get out on the water to benefit from the lengthy, sizzling days. Ontario seashores will shock you with their mushy white sand, heat water (in some locations), and exquisite surroundings. So, if you’re planning a weekend getaway, listed here are a few of the greatest seashores in Ontario to plan your trip.
Best Ontario Beaches
Ontario’s freshwater seashores are superior. No worries about sharks or jellyfish right here! With sand dunes and sand bars, clear waters, and sandy shores, visiting a seashore space close to you is among the greatest issues to do in Ontario in summer time.
1. The Beaches – Toronto
My grandmother used to reside straight on Kew Beach. Her yard was Kew Gardens, and after we used to go to, we went skating on the out of doors rink in the winter and performed in the sand in the summer time. I want we purchased that home when she lastly moved right into a apartment! Anyway, I digress.
Toronto has completely lovely seashores. There is a whole neighborhood in the town referred to as “The Beaches.” Woodbine Beach and Kew Beach are two standard seashores related by a protracted stretch of soppy sand. Woodbine Beach is the perfect seashore and gateway to Toronto’s seashores, which stretch 3 km alongside Lake Ontario.
There are a number of volleyball courts, so you may be a part of a sport or select a seashore volleyball courtroom of your individual. It has a washing pavilion, showers, and foot wash stations, and even Donald D. Summerville Outdoor Olympic Pool, full with 5 to 10-meter diving platforms. You can stroll during Kew Beach to Silver Kew Beach alongside the boardwalk or journey you bike alongside the Mark Goodman Trail.
If you might be visiting Toronto in {the summertime}, make your manner out to The Beaches for a day. There’s loads of eating, artwork galleries, boutique procuring and even nightlife. It’s additionally house to the Beaches Jazz Festival for the month of July.
Where to remain close to the seashores
There aren’t many lodge decisions close to the Beaches, however they’re simply accessed by streetcar from downtown. If you desire a waterfront really feel, the Westin Harbour Castle is a good selection.
2. Wasaga Beach – Georgian Bay
Wasaga Beach is a really apparent selection for seashores in Ontario, however how are you going to not put it as primary? It holds a reasonably spectacular title and is globally acknowledged because the world’s longest freshwater seashore. It stretches over greater than 14km of white sand shoreline and is a beloved web site of a coastal dune ecosystem. We used to reside up north (as we wish to name cottage nation in Ontario), and this was our go-to seashore.
The heat, shallow waters are perfect for swimming and wading, particularly for younger youngsters. The seashore is split into eight sections and has facilities corresponding to washrooms, picnic areas, playgrounds, and ample parking.
Wasaga Beach can be a hub for out of doors lovers, offering alternatives for water sports activities corresponding to jet snowboarding, paddleboarding, and windsurfing on Lake Huron. The surrounding space affords wonderful mountain climbing and biking trails, together with the Wasaga Beach Provincial Park path system, which meanders by way of scenic dunes and forests. In the winter, the park transforms right into a haven for cross-country snowboarding and snowshoeing.
Where to Stay Near Wasaga Beach
Located about two hours north of Toronto, Wasaga Beach is definitely accessible for a day journey or weekend getaway. Wasaga Beach is simply 25 minutes from Blue Mountain / Collingwood. We recommend staying in Blue Mountain Village at Westin Trillium House for the proper weekend getaway.
3. Agawa – Lake Superior
One of the extra distant seashores in Ontario, Agawa Beach is the perfect seashore for a distant escape. This pristine seashore is situated in Lake Superior Provincial Park. Stretching over a kilometer alongside the rugged shores of Lake Superior, Agawa Beach has crystal-clear waters, albeit chilly waters, mushy sandy shores, and views of the encompassing cliffs and forested landscapes. Check out The Wild Coastal Trail of Pukaskwa National Park
It might appear like the Caribbean, however be warned, the waters are chilly, so you might need to dip your toes in earlier than diving in.
Agawa Beach can be a haven for out of doors lovers who take pleasure in kayaking or canoeing alongside Lake Superior’s north shore. The close by Agawa Rock Pictographs are a must-stop. Hiking trails just like the Orphan Lake Trail and the Coastal Trail are standard stops. This is just not your typical seashore; it’s extra of an out of doors lover’s playground searching for one thing completely different.
This seashore is situated a whopping 9 hours drive from Toronto, so you’ll want to make a weekend out of it. Stop in Sault Sault Ste. Marie for the night time to take pleasure in some true northern hospitality after which proceed driving alongside the Trans-Canada Highway for one more 130 kilometers. This is the perfect highway journey in Ontario, so it’s price it, belief me!
Where to Stay close to Agawa Beach
Naturally Superior Adventures is the place to ebook your weekend getaway on Lake Superior. Located close to the city of Wawa, you may ebook kayaking excursions, mountain climbing journeys, do some stand-up paddle boarding, or participate in a really Canadian Canoe Trip.
4. Pancake Bay Provincial Park – Lake Superior
I’ll always remember stopping at Pancake Bay Beach whereas driving the Circle Tour from Sault Ste. Marie by way of the USA. Lake Superior has a surprisingly sandy shore that may look so much like a Caribbean Island—that’s till you’re feeling the water temperature. Read extra: 12 Amazing issues to see on the Slate Islands – Ontario
Stretching over 3 kilometers, it affords guests a pristine and expansive sandy shoreline that’s excellent for sunbathing, swimming, and beachcombing. Pancake Bay Beach offers a protected and satisfying setting for households and swimmers of all ages. Although, it’s chilly.
The seashore has varied facilities, together with clear washrooms, picnic areas with tables, and handy parking amenities.
Pancake Bay Provincial Park is a haven for out of doors fanatics, providing quite a few leisure actions corresponding to mountain climbing, birdwatching, and canoeing. The park’s scenic mountain climbing trails are just like the Edmund Fitzgerald Lookout Trail. Check out: 21 Most Beautiful Canadian National Parks
Where to Stay
Located roughly 75 kilometers north of Sault Ste. Marie is definitely accessible by way of the Trans-Canada Highway. You can keep in Sault Ste. Marie however we recommend Naturally Superior Adventures to mix a stick with journey. The park affords a well-maintained campground, permitting for prolonged stays.
5. Sauble Beach – South Bruce Peninsula
Ontario homes not one however two of the longest freshwater seashores in the world. Sauble Beach is the second-longest freshwater seashore on earth, spanning 11km (7 miles) alongside the shores of Lake Huron. I’ll always remember Mom and Dad taking us on a highway journey to this seashore, which has a sandbar alongside its shores, so we might stroll out for what felt like miles.
Its mushy white sand is ideal for sunbathing and swimming in its clear, contemporary water. With its shallow waters, Sauble Beach is standard for kiteboarding and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP). Pack a picnic, play some seashore volleyball at one of many seashore volleyball courts, or just construct a sandcastle.
Where to Stay close to Sauble Beach
Located 3 hours from Toronto, you’ll want to make a weekend out of visiting Sauble Beach. The Sands Hotel is the one upscale lodge in the world with a rooftop terrace overlooking the seashore. However, Wiarton is simply 20 minutes away, so you might need to make a base right here, and you may discover Tobermory on a day journey as nicely. Read extra: The Best Things to Do in Tobermory, Ontario
6. Grand Bend Beach – Grand Bend
I spent many summers at Grand Bend Beach as a result of my mother and father had their cottage there. Grand Bend was positively certainly one of Ontario’s unique seashore cities, and through faculty and highschool, everybody all the time made a highway journey to seashore locations, with this being the highest! I even carried out at Huron Country Playhouse for a season.
There are two areas: the Main Beach and the quieter South Beach. Grand Bend is a small however mighty seashore with about 1km of golden mushy sand situated on Lake Huron.
What makes it such a preferred vacation spot is the seashore city in which it’s situated. Grand Bend has loads of retailers, eating places, ice cream parlors, and out of doors patios lining the streets.
Amenities embrace shaded picnic areas, out of doors showers, paid parking, and even a lifeguard on obligation throughout peak season. Water sports activities embrace jet snowboarding, paddleboarding, and windsurfing, and campers can take pleasure in staying at Pinery Provincial Park.
Where to Stay in Grand Bend
Oakwood Resort is a superb selection for a weekend getaway situated on an expansive parcel of land with a non-public seashore. It has a wellness heart, golf course and restaurant, so you may have a quiet retreat away from all of it.
7. Sandbanks Dunes Beach – Prince Edward County
Sandbanks Dunes Beach, situated in Sandbanks Provincial Park on the shores of Lake Ontario, is among the greatest seashores in Ontario, with its primary seashore stretching greater than two kilometers with golden sand and majestic sand dunes that create a rolling pure panorama. Read extra: Things to do in Prince Edward County, Ontario
The seashore is understood for its heat, shallow waters which is right for swimming and family-friendly water actions. Amenities embrace washrooms, picnic areas, and ample parking.
The seashore additionally options designated areas for barbecuing and shaded spots excellent for stress-free with a picnic. Lifeguards are on obligation throughout peak seasons to make sure a protected setting for all.
The surrounding Sandbanks Provincial Park has quite a few mountain climbing and biking trails, there’s fowl watching or you may go canoeing.
The close by Outlet Beach affords much more alternatives for swimming and sunbathing, whereas West Lake offers a great spot for fishing and boating.
North Beach Provincial Park can be close by. With its ribbon of sand slicing by way of Lake Ontario, it appears extra like a seashore from Mexico or Thailand. This was as soon as a quiet seashore, however now it’s essential ebook your day allow in advance. However, it’s price it to take pleasure in a day on the Beach. Visit Ontario Parks to plan your go to.
Where to Stay close to Sandbanks Provincial Park
Located in Prince Edward County, Sandbanks Dunes Beach is roughly a two-hour drive from Toronto and simply over an hour from Kingston. The Birch is simply 8km from Sandbanks Provincial Park and has trendy vacation properties for hire with fridges and low makers
8. Port Dover Beach – Port Dover
Port Dover is a small seashore overlooking a protracted pier with and white-and-red-painted lighthouse but it surely is among the hottest seashores in Ontario, because of its vigorous downtown, well-known sizzling tog stand and Friday thirteenth gatherings.
The waters are shallow, heat and calm because of being situated in the bay sheltered by Long Point Provincial Park. You’ll discover ice cream retailers, eating places, and procuring promoting native handcrafts. We love this seashore, we are able to cycle to it from our home!
Where to Stay in Port Dover
Port Dover sits on the north shore of Lake Erie and is just below two hours drive from Toronto. The Erie Beach Hotel is situated proper in the guts of all of the motion beside the Arbor and only one block from the seashore and lighthouse.
9. Cobourg Beach
Located simply an hour’s drive east of Toronto and simply accessible by way of Highway 401, Cobourg Beach is a handy and standard vacation spot for a day journey or weekend getaway making it one of many extra standard seashore locations in Ontario.
Visitors to Cobourg Beach can take pleasure in a variety of facilities, together with washrooms, out of doors showers, and picnic areas. IF you’ve children, the seashore can be outfitted with playgrounds and splash pads. It can be house to a picturesque boardwalk and entry to varied retailers, cafes, and eating places. The close by Cobourg Marina is a good spot for boating and crusing, whereas Victoria Park has inexperienced areas for picnicking, concert events, and seasonal occasions just like the annual Sandcastle Festival.
Cobourg is a good city for vacationers, with loads of its personal sights. You can go to the Northumberland County Archives and Museum, Sifton-Cook Heritage Centre, and the East Pierhead Lighthouse. It’s a enjoyable place to wander round for a day, with sufficient to see to maintain you occupied however sufficiently small to do justice in just some hours.
Where to Stay in Cobourg
The King George Inn is. situated in the historic downtown, steps away from boutique retailers and eating places.
10. Port Stanley
My sister lived in Port Stanley all her life, and we watched it develop from a sleeping fishing village to certainly one of Ontario’s sizzling spots situated on the shores of Lake Erie. The golden sand stretches for about half a kilometer. Have you observed a pattern that lots of the perfect seashores in Ontario are situated alongside the Great Lakes?
The city of Port Stanley is cut up in half by a river, joined by the long-lasting King George VI Lift Bridge (which you need to purpose to attempt to see in motion though it drove me loopy after I visited her). And, as an additional tip, in the event you discover the primary seashore too busy, head to Little Beach. This tiny seashore is hidden away and far much less well-known.
Port Stanley is a stupendous harbour village with fishing boats and a laid again environment. It is a pleasant place to spend a day, and it has loads of facilities, corresponding to cafes and eating places. And there may be even a practice that the entire household can hop aboard to take pleasure in a journey!
Where to Stay in Port Stanley
Inn on the Harbour is situated on the Lake Erie waterfront with views of the lake and the village. Visitors can sit on the out of doors deck to take in the views at night time and the air-conditioned rooms have a romantic fire.
11. Centre Island Beach
If you need to escape the town, Centre Island Beach in the Toronto Islands is only a quick ferry journey from downtown Toronto to the Toronto Islands of Lake Ontario. It is gorgeous for sunbathing or planning a pleasant picnic. Dave and I had certainly one of our first dates on Centre Island, the place we loved a picnic. There are a number of seashores on the Toronto Islands together with a nude seashore. Ooooh.
The mushy sands are backed by greenery and mountain climbing trails by way of woodland, which might give it a secluded really feel if it wasn’t situated in such a preferred space. Instead, Centre Island Beach is a nook of solace in the whirlwind of pleasure that’s Centre Island.
You’ll discover the Centreville Amusement Park, a hedge maze, and bike leases. It’s the place to move for a break from the town with out really having to speculate a lot journey time. You simply catch a scenic ferry from the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal in central Toronto, which takes actually quarter-hour to succeed in Centre Island. From there, it’s a 15-minute stroll high to Centre Island Beach.
Where to Stay
Chances are if you’re making your option to Centre Island, you need to take pleasure in the perfect of Toronto. So, we recommend staying in the Entertainment district. The Ritz Carlton is our go to luxurious lodge. Or you may strive the extra inexpensive Strathcona Hotel situated near Union Station.
12. Sugar Beach
We couldn’t go with out mentioning Sugar Beach in a information on the perfect seashores in Ontario. This city Ontario seashore is proper in Toronto. Named after the close by Redpath Sugar Factory, this once-industrial setting has changed into one of many trendiest seashores in the province. Read extra: 50 Best Things to do in Toronto Canada
Sugar Beach is a white sand seashore backed by glitzy glass skyscrapers and pink umbrellas. It comes with one caveat; no swimming. Of course, this does put the extra lively beachgoers off, preferring to journey additional and revel in a swim or two. However, if you need a seashore day purely to high up your tan, then Sugar Beach is nice for you. It has seashore chairs and loungers galore. It’s someplace in the inside metropolis the place it’s socially acceptable to don swimwear and stretch out on a lounger to catch some vitamin D.
Where to Stay Near Sugar Beach
Located on Toronto’s Waterfront, you may actually keep wherever you want, however our best choice to be closest to it’s Westin Harbour Castle. You can stroll to the seashore from right here, and it’s certainly one of our favourite accommodations in the town.
13. Crystal Beach – Fort Erie
As you might guess, it coined its identify from its “crystal clear” waters, and the seashore is a best choice for anybody wanting a calming seashore day. Crystal Beach’s shallow waters are dreamy for swimming and water sports activities, and the truth that it backs onto a pleasant lakefront township is simply an added bonus for a stunning day trip.
Crystal Bay Beach, sometimes called simply Bay Beach, is a slim slither of white sand that opens straight out onto lovely waters of a wealthy emerald inexperienced. The sand is mushy and there are washroom amenities onsite. The solely factor to notice is that the seashore prices an entry charge throughout peak occasions.
The city of Crystal Beach sits on Lake Erie, recognized for its hotter and shallow waters, and has some nice cafes the place you will get refreshments.
Where to Stay
Fort Erie is near Niagara Falls and though you may keep in Fort Erie, We’d extremely advocate combining a visit with Niagara and staying there. Our favourite accommodations in Niagara embrace The Marriott Fallsview Hote, among the best accommodations for {couples}. Sheraton Fallsview Hotel has undergone a 50 million-dollar renovation and when you’ve got children it’s a very good place to stick with its shut proximity to Hershey’s, Clifton Hill, and the Waterpark
Best Beaches in Ontario
Ontario seashores are spectacular; there’s no doubting that. Before you head off to your sandy seashore of selection although, take a look at these fast FAQs. We’ll summarize all the pieces we’ve lined and clear up any indecision you’ve.
What is the nicest seashore in Ontario?
Sandbank Dunes Beach is a very beautiful addition to the seashores in Ontario. The sand dunes aesthetic makes it stand out that additional bit extra, successful it our vote because the nicest of the Ontario seashores.
What seashore in Ontario has the clearest water?
Sauble Beach has a stupendous, clear waterfront and is a good selection if you wish to swim in clear water.
Which seashores have the warmest water in Ontario?
As the shallowest of the Great Lakes, Lake Erie sometimes has the warmest waters. For this motive, we recommend selecting certainly one of this lake’s seashores, like Port Stanley Beach.
What seashore has white sand in Ontario?
Wasaga and Sauble Beach have attractive white sands, and there are fairly a number of white-sand seashores round Ontario.
As you may see, Ontario is actually blessed with seashores. The province is exclusive for seashore lovers as a result of it has predominantly freshwater seashores. The pristine nature offers option to seashores that would actually rival Caribbean locations.
Ontario is an unimaginable place for pure magnificence. You’ve bought all of the provincial parks, together with Sandbanks Provincial Park, Pancake Bay Provincial Park, Lake Superior Provincial Park, and North Beach Provincial Park. And that’s with out together with Bruce Peninsula National Park. Bruce Peninsula National Park is about in Georgian Bay with black bears and historical cedar timber and is ideally mixed with a go to to Toronto and Niagara Falls.
If you fancy extra inspiration about visiting this attractive province, sit tight for a second. We’ve bought guides on the greatest glamping experiences, wellness resorts, and weekend getaways. If you’re actually organized, you can plan your Ontario winter itinerary – when these seashores turn out to be much less interesting.
Whichever of those greatest seashores in Ontario you select, we hope you’ve an unimaginable Ontario seashore day. Have a incredible keep.
Plan Your Ontario Vacation