Ontario is our residence. We’ve got camped, hiked, biked, and road-tripped the complete province. As journey bloggers, you’ll assume we’d be dwelling in one of many digital nomad scorching spots like Mexico or Thailand, however Ontario will at all times be our perpetually residence. We’re near the Nice 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, scorching days. Ontario seashores will shock you with their tender white sand, heat water (in some locations), and exquisite surroundings. So, if you’re planning a weekend getaway, listed below are a number of the finest seashores in Ontario to plan your trip.
Finest Ontario Seashores
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 likely one of the finest issues to do in Ontario in summer season.
1. The Seashores – Toronto
My grandmother used to dwell instantly on Kew Seashore. Her yard was Kew Gardens, and once we used to go to, we went skating on the out of doors rink within the winter and performed within the sand in the summertime. I want we purchased that home when she lastly moved right into a condominium! Anyway, I digress.
Toronto has completely stunning seashores. There may be a complete neighborhood within the metropolis known as “The Seashores.” Woodbine Seashore and Kew Seashore are two in style seashores related by an extended stretch of sentimental sand. Woodbine Seashore is one of the best 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 part of a sport or select a seashore volleyball court docket of your individual. It has a washing pavilion, showers, and foot wash stations, and even Donald D. Summerville Out of doors Olympic Pool, full with 5 to 10-meter diving platforms. You possibly can stroll all over Kew Seashore to Silver Kew Seashore alongside the boardwalk or experience you bike alongside the Mark Goodman Path.
In case you are visiting Toronto within the summertime, make your means out to The Seashores for a day. There’s loads of eating, artwork galleries, boutique procuring and even nightlife. It’s additionally residence to the Seashores Jazz Competition for the month of July.
The place to remain close to the seashores
There aren’t many lodge selections close to the Seashores, however they’re simply accessed by streetcar from downtown. If you’d like a waterfront really feel, the Westin Harbour Fortress is a superb alternative.
2. Wasaga Seashore – Georgian Bay
Wasaga Seashore is a really apparent alternative 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 dwell up north (as we prefer to name cottage nation in Ontario), and this was our go-to seashore.
The nice and cozy, shallow waters are perfect for swimming and wading, particularly for younger kids. The seashore is split into eight sections and has facilities resembling washrooms, picnic areas, playgrounds, and ample parking.
Wasaga Seashore can also be a hub for out of doors lovers, offering alternatives for water sports activities resembling jet snowboarding, paddleboarding, and windsurfing on Lake Huron. The encompassing space provides glorious mountain climbing and biking trails, together with the Wasaga Seashore Provincial Park path system, which meanders via scenic dunes and forests. Within the winter, the park transforms right into a haven for cross-country snowboarding and snowshoeing.
The place to Keep Close to Wasaga Seashore
Positioned about two hours north of Toronto, Wasaga Seashore is well accessible for a day journey or weekend getaway. Wasaga Seashore is simply 25 minutes from Blue Mountain / Collingwood. We advise staying in Blue Mountain Village at Westin Trillium Home for the proper weekend getaway.
3. Agawa – Lake Superior
One of many extra distant seashores in Ontario, Agawa Seashore is one of the best seashore for a distant escape. This pristine seashore is positioned in Lake Superior Provincial Park. Stretching over a kilometer alongside the rugged shores of Lake Superior, Agawa Seashore has crystal-clear waters, albeit chilly waters, tender sandy shores, and views of the encircling cliffs and forested landscapes. Try The Wild Coastal Path of Pukaskwa Nationwide Park
It might appear like the Caribbean, however be warned, the waters are chilly, so chances are you’ll need to dip your toes in earlier than diving in.
Agawa Seashore can also 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. Mountain climbing trails just like the Orphan Lake Path and the Coastal Path are in style stops. This isn’t your typical seashore; it’s extra of an outside lover’s playground in search of one thing completely different.
This seashore is positioned a whopping 9 hours drive from Toronto, so you’ll want to make a weekend out of it. Cease in Sault Sault Ste. Marie for the evening to take pleasure in some true northern hospitality after which proceed driving alongside the Trans-Canada Freeway for one more 130 kilometers. That is one of the best street journey in Ontario, so it’s value it, belief me!
The place to Keep close to Agawa Seashore
Naturally Superior Adventures is the place to guide your weekend getaway on Lake Superior. Positioned close to the city of Wawa, you may guide kayaking excursions, mountain climbing journeys, do some stand-up paddle boarding, or participate in a really Canadian Canoe Journey.
4. Pancake Bay Provincial Park – Lake Superior
I’ll always remember stopping at Pancake Bay Seashore whereas driving the Circle Tour from Sault Ste. Marie via the USA. Lake Superior has a surprisingly sandy shore that may look lots like a Caribbean Island—that’s till you’re feeling the water temperature. Learn extra: 12 Superb issues to see on the Slate Islands – Ontario
Stretching over 3 kilometers, it provides guests a pristine and expansive sandy shoreline that’s good for sunbathing, swimming, and beachcombing. Pancake Bay Seashore offers a protected and satisfying surroundings for households and swimmers of all ages. Though, it’s chilly.
The seashore has numerous facilities, together with clear washrooms, picnic areas with tables, and handy parking amenities.
Pancake Bay Provincial Park is a haven for out of doors lovers, providing quite a few leisure actions resembling mountain climbing, birdwatching, and canoeing. The park’s scenic mountain climbing trails are just like the Edmund Fitzgerald Lookout Path. Try: 21 Most Stunning Canadian Nationwide Parks
The place to Keep
Positioned roughly 75 kilometers north of Sault Ste. Marie is well accessible by way of the Trans-Canada Freeway. You possibly can keep in Sault Ste. Marie however we recommend Naturally Superior Adventures to mix a stick with journey. The park provides a well-maintained campground, permitting for prolonged stays.
5. Sauble Seashore – South Bruce Peninsula
Ontario homes not one however two of the longest freshwater seashores on the earth. Sauble Seashore is the second-longest freshwater seashore on earth, spanning 11km (7 miles) alongside the shores of Lake Huron. I’ll always remember Mother and Dad taking us on a street journey to this seashore, which has a sandbar alongside its shores, so we might stroll out for what felt like miles.
Its tender white sand is ideal for sunbathing and swimming in its clear, contemporary water. With its shallow waters, Sauble Seashore is in style 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.
The place to Keep close to Sauble Seashore
Positioned 3 hours from Toronto, you’ll want to make a weekend out of visiting Sauble Seashore. The Sands Lodge is the one upscale lodge within the space with a rooftop terrace overlooking the seashore. Nonetheless, Wiarton is barely 20 minutes away, so chances are you’ll need to make a base right here, and you may discover Tobermory on a day journey as effectively. Learn extra: The Finest Issues to Do in Tobermory, Ontario
6. Grand Bend Seashore – Grand Bend
I spent many summers at Grand Bend Seashore as a result of my dad and mom had their cottage there. Grand Bend was undoubtedly one among Ontario’s authentic seashore cities, and through faculty and highschool, everybody at all times made a street journey to seashore locations, with this being the highest! I even carried out at Huron Nation Playhouse for a season.
There are two areas: the Principal Seashore and the quieter South Seashore. Grand Bend is a small however mighty seashore with about 1km of golden tender sand positioned on Lake Huron.
What makes it such a well-liked vacation spot is the seashore city wherein it’s positioned. Grand Bend has loads of outlets, eating places, ice cream parlors, and out of doors patios lining the streets.
Facilities 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 take pleasure in staying at Pinery Provincial Park.
The place to Keep in Grand Bend
Oakwood Resort is a wonderful alternative for a weekend getaway positioned on an expansive parcel of land with a personal seashore. It has a wellness middle, golf course and restaurant, so you may have a quiet retreat away from all of it.
7. Sandbanks Dunes Seashore – Prince Edward County
Sandbanks Dunes Seashore, positioned in Sandbanks Provincial Park on the shores of Lake Ontario, is likely one of the finest seashores in Ontario, with its principal seashore stretching greater than two kilometers with golden sand and majestic sand dunes that create a rolling pure panorama. Learn extra: Issues 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. Facilities embody washrooms, picnic areas, and ample parking.
The seashore additionally options designated areas for barbecuing and shaded spots good for enjoyable with a picnic. Lifeguards are on obligation throughout peak seasons to make sure a protected surroundings for all.
The encompassing Sandbanks Provincial Park has quite a few mountain climbing and biking trails, there’s hen watching or you may go canoeing.
The close by Outlet Seashore provides much more alternatives for swimming and sunbathing, whereas West Lake offers a great place for fishing and boating.
North Seashore Provincial Park can also be close by. With its ribbon of sand slicing via Lake Ontario, it appears extra like a seashore from Mexico or Thailand. This was as soon as a quiet seashore, however now you could guide your day allow prematurely. Nonetheless, it’s value it to take pleasure in a day on the Seashore. Go to Ontario Parks to plan your go to.
The place to Keep close to Sandbanks Provincial Park
Positioned in Prince Edward County, Sandbanks Dunes Seashore 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 houses for lease with fridges and low makers
8. Port Dover Seashore – Port Dover
Port Dover is a small seashore overlooking an extended pier with and white-and-red-painted lighthouse nevertheless it is likely one of the hottest seashores in Ontario, due to its vigorous downtown, well-known scorching tog stand and Friday thirteenth gatherings.
The waters are shallow, heat and calm due to being positioned within the bay sheltered by Lengthy Level Provincial Park. You’ll discover ice cream outlets, eating places, and procuring promoting native handcrafts. We love this seashore, we are able to cycle to it from our home!
The place to Keep in Port Dover
Port Dover sits on the north shore of Lake Erie and is just below two hours drive from Toronto. The Erie Seashore Lodge is positioned proper within the coronary heart of all of the motion beside the Arbor and only one block from the seashore and lighthouse.
9. Cobourg Seashore
Positioned simply an hour’s drive east of Toronto and simply accessible by way of Freeway 401, Cobourg Seashore is a handy and in style vacation spot for a day journey or weekend getaway making it one of many extra in style seashore locations in Ontario.
Guests to Cobourg Seashore can take pleasure in a variety of facilities, together with washrooms, out of doors showers, and picnic areas. IF you may have children, the seashore can also be geared up with playgrounds and splash pads. It’s also residence to a picturesque boardwalk and entry to varied outlets, 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 Competition.
Cobourg is a superb city for vacationers, with loads of its personal points of interest. You possibly can go to the Northumberland County Archives and Museum, Sifton-Prepare dinner 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.
The place to Keep in Cobourg
The King George Inn is. positioned within the historic downtown, steps away from boutique outlets 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 one among Ontario’s scorching spots positioned on the shores of Lake Erie. The golden sand stretches for about half a kilometer. Have you ever observed a development that lots of one of the best seashores in Ontario are positioned alongside the Nice Lakes?
The city of Port Stanley is break up in half by a river, joined by the long-lasting King George VI Raise Bridge (which it’s best to goal to attempt to see in motion though it drove me loopy once I visited her). And, as an additional tip, if you happen to discover the primary seashore too busy, head to Little Seashore. This tiny seashore is hidden away and far much less well-known.
Port Stanley is a good looking harbour village with fishing boats and a laid again environment. It’s a good place to spend a day, and it has loads of facilities, resembling cafes and eating places. And there may be even a prepare that the entire household can hop aboard to take pleasure in a experience!
The place to Keep in Port Stanley
Inn on the Harbour is positioned on the Lake Erie waterfront with views of the lake and the village. Guests can sit on the out of doors deck to absorb the views at evening and the air-conditioned rooms have a romantic fire.
11. Centre Island Seashore
If you wish to escape town, Centre Island Seashore within the Toronto Islands is only a brief ferry experience from downtown Toronto to the Toronto Islands of Lake Ontario. It’s stunning for sunbathing or planning a pleasant picnic. Dave and I had one among 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 tender sands are backed by greenery and mountain climbing trails via woodland, which might give it a secluded really feel if it wasn’t positioned in such a well-liked space. As a substitute, Centre Island Seashore is a nook of solace within 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 go for a break from town with out really 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 prime to Centre Island Seashore.
The place to Keep
Likelihood is if you’re making your technique to Centre Island, you need to take pleasure in one of the best of Toronto. So, we recommend staying within the Leisure district. The Ritz Carlton is our go to luxurious lodge. Or you may attempt the extra reasonably priced Strathcona Lodge positioned near Union Station.
12. Sugar Seashore
We couldn’t go with out mentioning Sugar Seashore in a information on one of the best seashores in Ontario. This city Ontario seashore is proper in Toronto. Named after the close by Redpath Sugar Manufacturing unit, this once-industrial setting has changed into one of many trendiest seashores within the province. Learn extra: 50 Finest Issues to do in Toronto Canada
Sugar Seashore is a white sand seashore backed by glitzy glass skyscrapers and pink umbrellas. It comes with one caveat; no swimming. After all, this does put the extra energetic beachgoers off, preferring to journey additional and luxuriate in a swim or two. Nonetheless, if you need a seashore day purely to prime up your tan, then Sugar Seashore is nice for you. It has seashore chairs and loungers galore. It’s someplace within the interior metropolis the place it’s socially acceptable to don swimwear and stretch out on a lounger to catch some vitamin D.
The place to Keep Close to Sugar Seashore
Positioned on Toronto’s Waterfront, you may actually keep anyplace you want, however our best choice to be closest to it’s Westin Harbour Fortress. You possibly can stroll to the seashore from right here, and it’s one among our favourite accommodations within the metropolis.
13. Crystal Seashore – Fort Erie
As chances are you’ll guess, it coined its identify from its “crystal clear” waters, and the seashore is a best choice for anybody wanting a soothing seashore day. Crystal Seashore’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 Seashore, sometimes called simply Bay Seashore, is a slim slither of white sand that opens straight out onto stunning waters of a wealthy emerald inexperienced. The sand is tender and there are washroom amenities onsite. The one factor to notice is that the seashore costs an entry payment throughout peak instances.
The city of Crystal Seashore sits on Lake Erie, identified for its hotter and shallow waters, and has some nice cafes the place you may get refreshments.
The place to Keep
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 embody The Marriott Fallsview Hote, the most effective accommodations for {couples}. Sheraton Fallsview Lodge has undergone a 50 million-dollar renovation and when you have children it’s place to stick with its shut proximity to Hershey’s, Clifton Hill, and the Waterpark
Finest Seashores in Ontario
Ontario seashores are spectacular; there’s no doubting that. Earlier than you head off to your sandy seashore of alternative although, try these fast FAQs. We’ll summarize all the pieces we’ve coated and clear up any indecision you may have.
What’s the nicest seashore in Ontario?
Sandbank Dunes Seashore is a very beautiful addition to the seashores in Ontario. The sand dunes aesthetic makes it stand out that further bit extra, profitable it our vote because the nicest of the Ontario seashores.
What seashore in Ontario has the clearest water?
Sauble Seashore has a good looking, clear waterfront and is a superb alternative if you wish to swim in clear water.
Which seashores have the warmest water in Ontario?
Because the shallowest of the Nice Lakes, Lake Erie sometimes has the warmest waters. Because of this, we recommend choosing one among this lake’s seashores, like Port Stanley Seashore.
What seashore has white sand in Ontario?
Wasaga and Sauble Seashore have attractive white sands, and there are fairly a number of white-sand seashores round Ontario.
As you may see, Ontario is de facto blessed with seashores. The province is exclusive for seashore lovers as a result of it has predominantly freshwater seashores. The pristine nature offers technique to seashores that might truthfully rival Caribbean locations.
Ontario is an unbelievable 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 Seashore Provincial Park. And that’s with out together with Bruce Peninsula Nationwide Park. Bruce Peninsula Nationwide Park is ready in Georgian Bay with black bears and historical cedar bushes and is ideally mixed with a go to to Toronto and Niagara Falls.
In the event you fancy extra inspiration about visiting this attractive province, sit tight for a second. We’ve bought guides on the finest glamping experiences, wellness resorts, and weekend getaways. In the event you’re actually organized, you can plan your Ontario winter itinerary – when these seashores grow to be much less interesting.
Whichever of those finest seashores in Ontario you select, we hope you may have an unbelievable Ontario seashore day. Have a unbelievable keep.
Plan Your Ontario Trip