Toronto is a trendy tourist destination for tourists coming to Canada. Toronto has it all, be it the museums, art galleries, markets, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, or the natural surroundings, including trails, hikes, parks, and beaches. Here, I have highlighted some of the best beaches in Toronto, where you would love to spend your day or evening with your near and dear ones. Toronto’s beaches are easily accessible, with lots of space and widespread patches of sand.
Isn’t it a dream for most of us to be in such a lovely spot, relaxing with our partner and enjoying some fancy moments!!!
Pragya, Canada Hustle
If you are in Toronto, you must not miss these awesome Toronto beaches to make your trip more memorable.
1. Centre Island Beach
Central Island Beach, also known as “Manitou Beach,” is located by the pier on the eastern shores of Toronto Island, facing Lake Ontario. It is the busiest of the four beaches on Central Island that remain packed in summer. You only need a 15-minute ferry ride from downtown to reach the beach. There is a rock wall that keeps the larger waves out, so the sea water here is quite calm and warm. You can swim, sunbathe, relax, picnic, and enjoy its beautiful scenic beauty. Go swimming only if you are a good swimmer. Otherwise, it would help if you went only when lifeguards are on duty.
It is also the most family-friendly beach, with several nearby activities, like a kitschy amusement park, waterpark, and outdoor maze. You will also spot a set of swings right on the sand, where kids and adults enjoy swinging with a waterfront view. This blue flag beach has extra changing rooms, lockers, and washrooms next to the pier. Several snacks and fast-food options are also available there. You can enjoy craft beer and BBQ from Toronto Island BBQ & Beer CO. and other refreshments from Beaver Tails.
2. Cherry Beach
If you are willing to spend some calm moments, quiet time, and escape from city life, Cherry Beach could be the perfect option for you.
Pragya, Canada Hustle
So, my next favourite is Cherry Beach. And there are many reasons for this.
- It is a perfect spot for swimming, as the water is warmer due to the shallow water compared to other beaches.
- This is also a perfect place for watching surfers and kiteboarders in action.
- You would love the music festival that occurs every weekend in summer.
- The cherry beach provides a huge, fenced space, perfect for long walks.
- It’s a dog-friendly beach.
You must bring your water shoes, as there are rocks all around. You can have fun paddle boarding, canoeing, sailing, or sitting and reflecting. I must tell you that several dance parties are also held there, and there is a lot of music. Thus, we call it Toronto’s Dance Beach.
3. Woodbine Beach
Do you know that Woodbine Beach is the largest of the four Beaches in Toronto? I highly recommend you visit this one for various reasons:
- You will spot an outdoor pool facilitated with showers, changing rooms, and a water bottle filling station.
- There is a playground, a long boardwalk, and several volleyball nets for visitors to enjoy.
- This Blue Flag also meets all water quality and safety requirements.
This human-made attraction attracts tourists and locals who love to spend hours people-watching or making sandcastles in its widespread rocky sand under the sun. The beach gets packed mostly in summer, and the parking lots also get filled on special days like Victoria Day or Canada Day. You can safely enjoy a picnic with your family here.
4. Hanlan’s Point Beach
Ask me any reason to visit Hanlan’s Point Beach and I’ll easily convince you.
- This wonderful beach provides several amenities, including firepits, a baseball diamond, and a lighthouse.
- Besides these, there are bathrooms, changing rooms, lockers, and bike rentals.
- The beach’s backside is covered with beautiful dunes, trees, and greenery, making it the greenest area on the island.
- You will spot colourful chairs around the beach to sit
- You can enjoy swimming and sunbathing for long hours there.
I suggest you board a ferry and reach the beach on the western shores of Toronto’s islands, which is less crowded. It is also the perfect spot to experience the sunset view.
5. Kew Balmy Beach
Kew Balmy Beach is a beautiful beach with a boardwalk. The sand is not smooth, as it contains small pebbles. The area around the shores and water is a little rocky. Once on the beach, you will be overwhelmed by the mesmerizing views of the lake, sky, and water. Located within walking distance of Woodbine Beach, this less crowded beach is perfect for swimming. Though it is unpopular, you can visit it and enjoy a peaceful and relaxing time there.
It would help to visit the Kew Gardens, which are close to this beach. The park hosts a bowling club, a basketball court, a baseball diamond, an old bandstand, and a drinking fountain. A shop at a short distance, Beaches N Cream, offers delicious hotdogs and ice cream.
6. Sunnyside Beach
Another very popular beach is situated at the west end of Toronto. It’s none other than Sunnyside Beach. It is undoubtedly the perfect spot for tourists to enjoy sunbathing, walking, playing games like volleyball, jogging, cycling, reading, relaxing, and much more. I must tell you if you love water sports, this one is for you.
You can also hire a kayak if you are interested in kayaking, however, It is not a perfect place for swimming. The Sunnyside Park along the beach is great fun to visit. Equipped with benches and tables, the beach and the park invite you to spend your vacations more chillingly and pleasantly. This beach is also not overcrowded; you can easily relax for a long time there or take some amazing photographs.
7. Sugar Beach
Sugar Beach is located across the Redpath Sugary Refinery in East Toronto. Catch the beautiful vibes of Sugar Beach while spending a sunny day here. The beach offers several options for a memorable trip.
- It has three distinct features: the urban beach, a plaza space, and a tree-lined promenade.
- You will find several beautiful pink and peach-coloured umbrellas and many white wooden chairs all over the beach where you can sit and relax.
- You can enjoy vast-spread sandy shores or the splash pad nearby, but this beach is not worth swimming on due to no access to water.
This small and wonderful beach often gets packed in the summer months. It also gets busier on festive days or holidays. You would love to play in the sand or watch the boats on the lake. Sugar Beach also provides enough space for public events and awesome scenic views.
8. Ward’s Island Beach
Ward’s Island Beach is another popular beach in Toronto, Canada, just 15 minutes from Downtown Toronto.
So, the next on my list is Ward’s Island Beach. I think it is the best option for escaping the busy city life and crowds. It is quiet, calm, and small, offering all kinds of enjoyment. Plenty of chairs are available on the shore to sit and relax. It gets a little busier during summertime.
One of the best things about the beach is that it is close to some of the best patios, where you can eat and drink several delicious items. You can also opt for a family-run cafe just across the way from the beach. It is a blue flag beach and perfect for swimming. Lifeguards are available in their duty spots. Enjoy the green and blue water there with your family and kids. The beach also provides other amenities, including swings, picnic areas, a water park, amusement rides, washrooms, bike rentals, and more.
9. Gibraltar Point Beach
Enjoy nature and experience its serenity at Gibraltar Point Beach. The beautiful blue water and the perfect scenic surroundings make it an amazing tourist destination.
Pragya, Canada Hustle
The beach is easily accessible by ferry to Central Island as it is hardly a one-minute walking distance from Central Island beach. Several walking trails connect to the different areas of the Toronto islands. The sand is so soft you would love to lie on it for hours. You can stop here for birdwatching. Along the beach, you will also spot many shady trees and fauna. Don’t miss to spot several stunning views of Lake Ontario and nearby areas.
10. Marie Curtis Park Beach
I’ll tell you one more family-friendly beach. It’s Marie Curtis Park Beach. It is a beautiful beach with lots of greenery, where you would love to soak up the sun. Although it is not a much longer stretch of sand, visitors love it for its calm and peaceful atmosphere.
- There is a kids’ playground, picnic spots, and beautiful walking trails.
- You can enjoy activities like hiking, swimming, fishing, and boating.
- There is a small area from where you can buy refreshments or carry your lunch and snacks.
This beach is less crowded and gives you enough space to relax in its peaceful surroundings.
11. Rouge Beach
Last but not least, I recommend you explore the Rouge Beach. It is situated at the meeting point of the Rouge River and Lake Ontario in Scarborough. The beach offers several activities, such as swimming, hiking, sunbathing, walking along trails, kayaking, and canoeing.
This is a small and beautiful beach with a smaller crowd. You will spot several wild birds and aquatic species in the beach area, like fish, swans, and wild herons. The beach is also one of the best fishing spots in Toronto, but you need a license to fish there. Enjoy your visit to this beach cum natural park on a warm day, and make your trip to Toronto more exciting.
Key Takeaways
Above, we elaborated on the top beaches in Toronto that you must visit. Experience the natural vibes, scenic beauty, beautiful sunsets, sandy shores, and several waterfront activities on these beaches. If you plan to visit Toronto, you must not skip these Toronto beaches. They are ready to welcome you, and it’s your turn to explore them.
Last Updated on April 20, 2024 by Pragya Chakrapani
