You’ll find people of two types- beach lovers or simply dull! Well, if you’re the former, you’ve got to love Toronto with some of Ontario’s best beaches, including Bluffers Beach. Located in Scarborough and surrounded by the Scarborough Bluffs, Bluffer’s Park and Beach is situated to the south of Brimley Road alongside Lake Ontario.
The endless activities and attractions make it a great place to hang out with your friends and family and spend your holidays most memorably!
At times, a vacation is the only answer to clearing your mind and being away from tight work schedules! If you’re looking for one, what’s better than being on a beach, lying down on pristine sand, sunbathing, while you feel the cold waves gently caressing your feet? Too filmy? That’s what makes it interesting. So, without beating around the bush any further, let’s look at some of the interesting details of Bluffer’s Beach and guide you to an amazing experience!
Out of all Toronto beaches, Bluffers Beach is the cleanest and even though it’s an artificial beach, it has an authentic feel to it, maybe due to the forested area on the backside. The sand at the beach is white and has lots of seaweed and no rocks at all. The cold water is very shallow towards the start and progresses to get deeper towards the end. It’s a lake beach and thus the waves aren’t very high like the tides in a sea. No doubt, the beach is quite overcrowded on summer weekends and you may find long waiting lines at the food and boating joints.
- The best time to visit is during the afternoon on weekdays and at sunrise and sunset every day. For timings, check updates on the web.
- There is one entrance and exit to the park which may create some inconvenience on weekends due to the large crowd.
- The beach as well as the Bluffer’s park is pet-friendly and allows people to walk their pet dogs and cats on a leash.
- For accommodation near Bluffers Park, there are various hotels such as the Holiday Inn Express, Delta Hotels by Marriott, in Toronto East, and others like the Best Western Plus Executive Inn, and the Broadview Hotel, etc.
What’s the Safety Criteria There?
When visiting any beach it’s advisable to know about the safety standards there. I always prefer beaches with blue flag status. A blue flag status certifies a beach as eco-friendly, safe, and with great water quality.
I would like to tell you that Bluffer’s Beach is a Blue Flag Beach that meets strict water quality and sustainability standards.
However, it originally had the poorest water quality due to increased levels of bacteria and didn’t meet the safety criterion. The beach was categorized as dangerous and came with certain restrictions related to swimming in the water. It was later in 2006 when various water quality tests were undertaken after Lake Ontario Waterkeeper and Investment conducted a study, that the water quality improved dramatically, and now, the beach is absolutely clean and safe for a swim.
These beaches must live up to the quality standards for being certified annually with the Blue Flag status.
Travel Options to Choose From
There are various options you can choose from to travel to the Bluffers Beach destination-
First is the Toronto Transit Commission’s seasonal bus that starts from Kennedy Station and stops directly at Bluffer’s Park Beach. Both, the Scarborough and the Bloor-Danforth lines lead to the station. There is lots of parking space at Kennedy Station as well which makes it the easier option. You also have access to facilities on the bus route such as provision for bike carriers. The schedule and route can be checked on the website. The bus line for Bluffer’s Park and Beach is number 12 on Kingston Road’s direction.
The second is to drive to the beach in your car. However, the problem here is to find a parking spot and walk the long way to the beach. The third would be by train. The nearest train station to Bluffer’s Beach is Eglinton Go. Another alternative is taking a taxi to Bluffer’s Park, which is slightly expensive.
The city has two airports. Toronto Pearson International Airport is one of them. Scarborough Bluffs Park is around 40 km away from it. The other is Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport which is 16 km away from the park. The best transport options from the airports to the park are the ferry and the train. However, the cheapest would be travelling in your car. Rates for each of these can be checked on the web.
The Canada Hustle team interviewed Billy Litmer, Founder of Honest Eco Tours, about the key factors for a perfect day at the beach. Here is what he said:
“Living in Key West for 15 years and having young kids, we can be found at the beach almost every weekend. If I take a boat to the beach, wearing my shades with a hooded sun shirt and a hat is essential.
This allows me to relax and look for animals without worrying about the intense sun exposure this far south.
I don’t use chemical sunscreen, so without these protections, I’d get cooked in just 15 minutes. With 10 years of experience as a captain, I’m pretty dialed in on my sunshine needs and limits.
For a day at the beach with the family, I’m embracing my role as the dad who brings food, drinks, and gear. Fresh fruit, salads, and items for the state parks’ charcoal grills are a must.
Besides the food, I bring footballs, frisbees, and a big inflatable gymnastics mat for the kids to wrestle or jump on in the water.”
What’s There to Enjoy?
Bluffers Beach has got to be one of the most fun places to be! If you’re a beachgoer and feel like fishing, swimming, having a picnic, or going to the marina or parkland areas, Bluffer’s Park Beach is the answer! That’s not it. You can also find boat launch and dockage areas for an increasingly fulfilling experience!
The sandy beach is perfect for a pleasant walk along the shoreline. If you’re out with a group, you can have a game of Frisbee or maybe Volleyball! A public-use net is also there for these sports. Creating sand castles is one of the favourite activities for kids; mine too!
Many visitors go to the beach to sunbathe at the beach whilst enjoying the scenic view. At night-time, it’s freezing which makes a barbecue with a bonfire the best option! Bluffers Beach is a picturesque place for partying with loud music and food on the beachside.
Just at the bottom of the towering bluffs, is Bluffer’s Park Marina is the ideal place for boating and paddleboarding with a fuel dock and mechanic facilities. Do you know that Toronto’s only sanctioned Mercury dealer is also present on site. For concession, you can crash the snack bar which serves fast food like hot dogs, chips, colas, and more. A pub and 2 restaurants are also available for grabbing a bite. You can also have ice cream from the ice cream truck The marina has a wide variety of fish which makes Bluffers Beach great for seasonal fishing!
Overall, Bluffers Beach is fully packed with entertainment and has countless beautiful picture-perfect views!
Check Out the Parking and Other Facilities There
Some amenities provided at the beach include a drinking fountain, washrooms, parking lots, and a shower facility. The stay at Bluffers Beach becomes very convenient due to proper seating arrangements like benches, made available. Sometimes people face issues in parking.
I would suggest to secure a parking spot, it’s better to arrive early to avoid parking elsewhere than the allotted lot. The cost for a parking spot is $1.50 per 30 minutes.
- Parking in summer, from 5 P.M.-9 P.M. Monday-Friday, can take a maximum of $6 and $12 on weekends and holidays from 9 A.M.-8 P.M.
- In winter, parking is free from Monday-Sunday 6 A.M.-12 A.M. Be careful while parking near the marina as some spots are exceptional which will cost you a lot.
There is a shower facility inside the changing rooms to freshen up and release tiredness. You will have to bring your shampoos, sunscreen, soaps, towels, and other essentials. For security purposes, lifeguards are assigned to the beach and look after swim areas all days a week from 10:30 A.M.-7:30 P.M. Carrying lifejackets and tubes along with you is extremely important. But still, take care of your kids and don’t let them get into the water alone.
At times, there have been cases of fish bites and other injuries. In case of any accidents, report to the hospital -Scarborough Health Network- Centenary Hospital, which is nearest to the park.
We interviewed Mike Drouin, Co-founder, Digital Marketing Director, Gardening and Home Improvement Expert at Reefertilizer, who talked about the things that make a perfect day at a beach. Here is an excerpt from the interview:
“The sound of waves crashing against the shore is incredibly soothing, instantly reducing any lingering stress. I cherish the feel of the warm sand beneath my feet and the salty breeze from the ocean.
Access to fresh, delicious seafood enhances the experience, making it a delightful culinary adventure.
Personally, I always bring enough shade and stay hydrated to fully enjoy my time there. Interestingly, this attention to detail and preparation reminds me of the meticulous planning required in gardening and even puts me in mind of the systematic efficiency brought by the mechanical reaper in agriculture.
Each aspect, from relaxation to nourishment, plays a precise role in creating a fulfilling beach day.”
Explore Some Other Attractions Around
Wondering if travelling to Bluffers Beach would be worth it? Definitely. Not only would you be able to experience the adventures at the beach, but you can also hit the various other places nearby. A few of these are- Scarborough Bluffs, Bluffers Park Marina, Beach Village, Scarborough Crescent Park, Aga Khan Museum, Birchmount Stadium, and Rosetta McClain Gardens.
In addition to Bluffers Beach, these places also attract crowds quite a lot. Stop by these places as well for a more exciting experience!
Diane Howard, RN and Founder of Esthetic Finesse talked to the Canada Hustle team about prioritizing skin protection on a beach day. Here is what she had to say:
“When it comes to enjoying a day at the beach, as an aesthetic RN, skin protection is key for me. While soaking up the sun is fun, protecting your skin against sunburn is super important! Keep applying that sunscreen and make sure your skin is protected!”
Rules You Must Adhere to
Alongside the fun and adventure at Bluffers Beach, there are some rules and regulations to be followed. These are-
- I know you love photography but have a permission ticket from the Park Bookings call center on the weekdays. It remains closed on weekends. Click pictures of the wildlife from an appropriate distance for your safety.
- Social distancing is necessary at the beach to conform to COVID-19 protocols. It’s all about our safety only.
- I am sure nobody wants to risk their lives so it is advised to wear a life jacket while in the water.
- Help maintain the high water quality and don’t litter on the beach. Picnic areas should be cleaned up before leaving.
- Alcohol consumption is not allowed on Bluffers Beach. You might be charged a fine of $300.
- Swimming in restricted areas with no lifeguards is not advised.
- Scarborough bluffs are not pet-friendly and swimming is not allowed.
- Police are out patrolling regularly so it is important to maintain discipline.
These rules are formulated to conform to safety and security protocols and to avoid any mishaps or accidents at the beach. Safety is a priority!
It is a great spot for hanging out, and partying as well as for activities like boating, swimming, paddle boarding, and fishing! The Marina and the Scarborough bluffs add to the prestige of this place. So, grab your swimsuit and goggles, click gorgeous pictures, and be ready to break the Internet and have a blast because Bluffers Beach is waiting for you!
Plan out your trip with this guide and hit the beach to make beautiful memories with your loved ones!
Guest Author: Saket Kumar
Last Updated on August 14, 2024 by Saket
