Ontario is our house. We have camped, hiked, biked, and road-tripped the whole province. As journey bloggers, you’d 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 perpetually house. We are near the Great Lakes, provincial parks, iconic locations like Niagara Falls and the CN Tower, and, in fact, superb seashores.
Canadians love the summer season season; it’s cottage season, once 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 delightful surroundings. So, if you’re planning a weekend getaway, listed here are a number of the finest 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 seaside space close to you is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Ontario in summer season.
1. The Beaches – Toronto
My grandmother used to stay straight on Kew Beach. Her yard was Kew Gardens, and once 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 season. I want we purchased that home when she lastly moved right into a rental! Anyway, I digress.
Toronto has completely stunning seashores. There is a complete neighborhood in town known as “The Beaches.” Woodbine Beach and Kew Beach are two fashionable seashores linked by a protracted stretch of sentimental sand. Woodbine Beach is the very best seaside 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 seaside 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’re visiting Toronto in {the summertime}, make your method out to The Beaches for a day. There’s loads of eating, artwork galleries, boutique purchasing 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 resort 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 superb alternative.
2. Wasaga Beach – Georgian Bay
Wasaga Beach is a really apparent alternative for seashores in Ontario, however how are you going to not put it as primary? It holds a fairly spectacular title and is globally acknowledged because the world’s longest freshwater seaside. It stretches over greater than 14km of white sand shoreline and is a beloved website of a coastal dune ecosystem. We used to stay up north (as we prefer to name cottage nation in Ontario), and this was our go-to seaside.
The heat, shallow waters are perfect for swimming and wading, particularly for younger youngsters. The seaside 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 gives glorious 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 well accessible for a day journey or weekend getaway. Wasaga Beach is simply 25 minutes from Blue Mountain / Collingwood. We counsel staying in Blue Mountain Village at Westin Trillium House for the right weekend getaway.
3. Agawa – Lake Superior
One of the extra distant seashores in Ontario, Agawa Beach is the very best seaside for a distant escape. This pristine seaside is positioned 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 encircling cliffs and forested landscapes. Check out The Wild Coastal Trail of Pukaskwa National Park
It could seem like the Caribbean, however be warned, the waters are chilly, so you could wish to dip your toes in earlier than diving in.
Agawa Beach can be a haven for out of doors lovers who get pleasure from 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 fashionable stops. This shouldn’t be your typical seaside; it’s extra of an out of doors lover’s playground searching for one thing completely different.
This seaside is positioned a whopping 9 hours drive from Toronto, so it would be best to make a weekend out of it. Stop in Sault Sault Ste. Marie for the evening to get pleasure from some true northern hospitality after which proceed driving alongside the Trans-Canada Highway for an additional 130 kilometers. This is the very best highway journey in Ontario, so it’s value 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 very 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 rather a lot like a Caribbean Island—that’s till you are feeling the water temperature. Read extra: 12 Amazing issues to see on the Slate Islands – Ontario
Stretching over 3 kilometers, it gives guests a pristine and expansive sandy shoreline that’s excellent for sunbathing, swimming, and beachcombing. Pancake Bay Beach offers a secure and pleasant setting for households and swimmers of all ages. Although, it’s chilly.
The seaside 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 well 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 gives 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 seaside 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 seaside, 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 fashionable for kiteboarding and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP). Pack a picnic, play some seaside volleyball at one of many seaside volleyball courts, or just construct a sandcastle.
Where to Stay close to Sauble Beach
Located 3 hours from Toronto, it would be best to make a weekend out of visiting Sauble Beach. The Sands Hotel is the one upscale resort in the world with a rooftop terrace overlooking the seaside. However, Wiarton is simply 20 minutes away, so you could wish to make a base right here, and you may discover Tobermory on a day journey as effectively. 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 dad and mom had their cottage there. Grand Bend was positively considered one of Ontario’s authentic seaside cities, and through faculty and highschool, everybody all the time made a highway journey to seaside 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 seaside with about 1km of golden mushy sand positioned on Lake Huron.
What makes it such a preferred vacation spot is the seaside city in which it’s positioned. Grand Bend has loads of retailers, eating places, ice cream parlors, and out of doors patios lining the streets.
Amenities embody shaded picnic areas, out of doors showers, paid parking, and even a lifeguard on obligation throughout peak season. Water sports activities embody jet snowboarding, paddleboarding, and windsurfing, and campers can get pleasure from staying at Pinery Provincial Park.
Where to Stay in Grand Bend
Oakwood Resort is a wonderful alternative for a weekend getaway positioned on an expansive parcel of land with a non-public seaside. 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, positioned in Sandbanks Provincial Park on the shores of Lake Ontario, is without doubt one of the finest seashores in Ontario, with its principal seaside 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 seaside is understood for its heat, shallow waters which is good for swimming and family-friendly water actions. Amenities embody washrooms, picnic areas, and ample parking.
The seaside 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 secure setting for all.
The surrounding Sandbanks Provincial Park has quite a few mountain climbing and biking trails, there’s chicken watching or you may go canoeing.
The close by Outlet Beach gives 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 seaside from Mexico or Thailand. This was as soon as a quiet seaside, however now it’s good to ebook your day allow in advance. However, it’s value it to get pleasure from 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 occasional makers
8. Port Dover Beach – Port Dover
Port Dover is a small seaside overlooking a protracted pier with and white-and-red-painted lighthouse however it is without doubt one of 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 positioned in the bay sheltered by Long Point Provincial Park. You’ll discover ice cream retailers, eating places, and purchasing promoting native handcrafts. We love this seaside, we will cycle to it from our home!
Where to Stay in Port Dover
Port Dover sits on the north shore of Lake Erie and is slightly below two hours drive from Toronto. The Erie Beach Hotel is positioned proper in the guts of all of the motion beside the Arbor and only one block from the seaside 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 fashionable vacation spot for a day journey or weekend getaway making it one of many extra fashionable seaside locations in Ontario.
Visitors to Cobourg Beach can get pleasure from a variety of facilities, together with washrooms, out of doors showers, and picnic areas. IF you’ve got youngsters, the seaside can be outfitted with playgrounds and splash pads. It can be house to a picturesque boardwalk and entry to numerous retailers, cafes, and eating places. The close by Cobourg Marina is a superb spot for boating and crusing, whereas Victoria Park has inexperienced areas for picnicking, live shows, and seasonal occasions just like the annual Sandcastle Festival.
Cobourg is a superb 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. positioned 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 considered one of Ontario’s sizzling spots positioned on the shores of Lake Erie. The golden sand stretches for about half a kilometer. Have you observed a pattern that quite a lot of the very best seashores in Ontario are positioned alongside the Great Lakes?
The city of Port Stanley is break up in half by a river, joined by the enduring King George VI Lift Bridge (which it’s best to intention to attempt to see in motion though it drove me loopy once I visited her). And, as an additional tip, in the event you discover the principle seaside too busy, head to Little Beach. This tiny seaside 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’s even a prepare that the entire household can hop aboard to get pleasure from a journey!
Where to Stay in Port Stanley
Inn on the Harbour is positioned 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 evening and the air-conditioned rooms have a romantic hearth.
11. Centre Island Beach
If you wish to escape 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 considered 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 seaside. 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 positioned 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 town with out truly having to take a position 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 achieve 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 wish to get pleasure from the very best of Toronto. So, we recommend staying in the Entertainment district. The Ritz Carlton is our go to luxurious resort. Or you may strive the extra reasonably priced Strathcona Hotel positioned near Union Station.
12. Sugar Beach
We couldn’t go with out mentioning Sugar Beach in a information on the very best seashores in Ontario. This city Ontario seaside is proper in Toronto. Named after the close by Redpath Sugar Factory, this once-industrial setting has become one of many trendiest seashores in the province. Read extra: 50 Best Things to do in Toronto Canada
Sugar Beach is a white sand seaside 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 luxuriate in a swim or two. However, if you’d like a seaside day purely to high up your tan, then Sugar Beach is nice for you. It has seaside chairs and loungers galore. It’s someplace in the internal 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 seaside from right here, and it’s considered one of our favourite accommodations in town.
13. Crystal Beach – Fort Erie
As you could guess, it coined its identify from its “crystal clear” waters, and the seaside is a best choice for anybody wanting a soothing seaside 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 beautiful day trip.
Crystal Bay Beach, also known as simply Bay Beach, is a slim slither of white sand that opens straight out onto stunning waters of a wealthy emerald inexperienced. The sand is mushy and there are washroom amenities onsite. The solely factor to notice is that the seaside expenses an entry price throughout peak instances.
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 suggest combining a visit with Niagara and staying there. Our favourite accommodations in Niagara embody The Marriott Fallsview Hote, among the finest accommodations for {couples}. Sheraton Fallsview Hotel has undergone a 50 million-dollar renovation and if in case you have youngsters it’s an excellent 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 seaside of alternative although, take a look at these fast FAQs. We’ll summarize every little thing we’ve lined and clear up any indecision you’ve got.
What is the nicest seaside in Ontario?
Sandbank Dunes Beach is a very gorgeous addition to the seashores in Ontario. The sand dunes aesthetic makes it stand out that further bit extra, successful it our vote because the nicest of the Ontario seashores.
What seaside in Ontario has the clearest water?
Sauble Beach has a stupendous, clear waterfront and is a superb alternative 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 cause, we recommend selecting considered one of this lake’s seashores, like Port Stanley Beach.
What seaside has white sand in Ontario?
Wasaga and Sauble Beach have attractive white sands, and there are fairly just a few white-sand seashores round Ontario.
As you may see, Ontario is admittedly blessed with seashores. The province is exclusive for seaside lovers as a result of it has predominantly freshwater seashores. The pristine nature provides option to seashores that might actually rival Caribbean locations.
Ontario is an unbelievable place for pure magnificence. You’ve obtained 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 ready in Georgian Bay with black bears and historic cedar bushes 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 obtained guides on the finest glamping experiences, wellness resorts, and weekend getaways. If you’re actually organized, you might plan your Ontario winter itinerary – when these seashores change into much less interesting.
Whichever of those finest seashores in Ontario you select, we hope you’ve got an unbelievable Ontario seaside day. Have a improbable keep.
Plan Your Ontario Vacation