Travel in Style
7 Best Ontario Beaches For A Weekend Escape
Photo by Cat Parker
Travel in Style
7 Best Ontario Beaches For A Weekend Escape
Soft sand, clear water, beautiful sunsets...
When you stroll along the Great Lakes in Ontario, you sometimes forget that the ocean is hundreds of kilometres away.
Some Ontario beaches are reminiscent of seaside destinations on the East Coast of the USA. This summer, we're turning to the most spectacular lakes and beaches in Ontario for that vacation feeling without having to travel far.
Here are some popular waterfront spots in Ontario:
Sandbanks Provincial Park
A star attraction in charming Prince Edward County, Sandbanks Provincial Park draws crowds for its large dunes, three white sand beaches and views of Lake Ontario. Make sure to visit the actual beach named Sandbanks—it seems like it never ends!
Grand Bend Beach
The Grand Bend area, south of Lake Huron, has about 10 sandy beaches that stretch over 65 kilometres. The main beach, Grand Bend Beach, is ideal for those who want to mingle with vacationers and experience Ontario's beach culture—it's only a few minutes' walk from the main street. The wilder beaches of nearby Pinery Provincial Park are also popular.
Wasaga Beach
The longest freshwater beach in the world, Wasaga Beach stretches 14 km along Lake Huron, in the hollow of Nottawasaga Bay. Its sand is beautiful and soft, and its lively atmosphere is reminiscent of the seaside villages of our neighbours to the south. Dunes and hiking trails complete the experience.
Port Dover
Dreaming of lounging in the shade of coconut trees? It's possible in Ontario! Port Dover Beach, on the shores of Lake Erie, features six palm trees planted by the team at The Beach House restaurant. The beach, which is not particularly large, is distinguished by its family-friendly atmosphere, its small shops, lighthouse, wharf and fishermen.
Sauble Beach
No less than 11 kilometres of white-blond sand await you at Sauble Beach, a summer must-see on the Bruce Peninsula. The liveliest part of the beach is lined with a few snack bars, shops, bars, ice cream stands and vacation homes, while the rest is quieter and wilder. Not to be missed: the sunsets over Lake Huron.
PRESQU'ÎLE PROVINCIAL PARK
About two hours north of Toronto, this Ontario park is worth discovering. Bordered by the clear waters of Lake Ontario, its (almost) white sand beach is 2.5 kilometres long. The park also has 16 kilometres of hiking trails and sees hundreds of species of migratory birds each year.
Singing Sands Beach
On the shores of Lake Huron, this large beach is known for its fine sand that "sings" underfoot thanks to its warm waters. This family-friendly spot is part of the beautiful Bruce Peninsula National Park, known for its turquoise waters, and is located very close to the tourist town of Tobermory.
Are you staying in Toronto?
Did you know the city has a dozen or so swimmable beaches? The most popular is Woodbine Beach in east end. There's a 3-kilometre boardwalk, tons of volleyball courts and barbecues.
Another popular beach is Hanlan's point (which has a nude section) on the Toronto Islands. A ferry connects these islands to the city centre in just a few minutes.
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