Canada’s longest province is filled with stunning beaches that only the locals know about.
If we’ve captured your attention and now you want to book that trip to experience some of these natural wonders yourself, here’s a look at some of Ontario’s best beaches. This post will take you from the shores of Lake Superior to the hidden coastal corners just outside of downtown Toronto, where you’ll find some truly breathtaking stretches of sand.
The best beaches in Ontario
Our top picks for all types of travellers
From the ever-popular Wasaga Beach to majestic bays by stunning Lake Superior, here’s a glimpse of Ontario’s best beaches.
Port Stanley Beach
Best Ontario beach for: laid back local beach town vibes
Toronto Pearson International Airport: Approximately 200km
While Lake Ontario has everyone’s go-to beach escapes for those living in the GTA and Lake Huron and Lake Superior have striking coastlines that will impress even the least outdoorsy types, Lake Erie is somewhat of the “forgotten coast” of Ontario. But pay a visit to any town by this Great Lake and you’re guaranteed to find some of your new favourite beaches.
We’re starting this list off with Port Stanley Beach. Also referred to as Main Beach in Port Stanley, this is a gorgeously long beach, perfect for windsurfing, sunbathing, and enjoying a sundowner at the beloved GTs On The Beach. Think Jimmy Buffett vibes but Canadian.
This is also one of the few Ontario beaches with Blue Flag status, which means that these waters have been tested and meet the standards for a clean and accessible beach.
Point Pelee’s Northwest Beach
Best Ontario beach for: experiencing one of Canada’s oldest national parks
Toronto Pearson International Airport: Approximately 340km
Point Pelee is a must on any Ontario bucket list, as it’s notorious for being the southernmost point in all of Canada. The area is made up of Point Pelee National Park as well as Pelee Island, which is officially the southernmost tip of the country that’s about an 1.5-hour ferry ride from the mainland. Not only that, Point Pelee National Park is a popular bird-watching destination as well as being home to a couple of unmissable beaches.
Be prepared to be impressed here at this long stretch of sand starting at Northwest Beach, where on a clear day the waters turn a sparkling shade of turquoise blue. The area is surrounded by hiking trails so make a day of it and wander or rent a kayak before turning in for a magical sunset.
Travel tip: Make sure you’re careful walking along Point Pelee, as the currents can get pretty strong. Going into the water at all is not recommended.
Gibraltar Point Beach
Best beach in Toronto for: beach getaway close to the city
Toronto Pearson International Airport: Approximately 30km
Let’s take things city-side and let you in on some of the best beaches in Toronto. Just south of downtown Toronto is Toronto Island, where you’ll find a stunning shoreline and set of beaches that are perfect for a break on a hot summer’s day, or a breezy autumn or early spring wander if you’re up for it.
Much lesser-known and oh-so beautiful is Gibraltar Point Beach, another Ontario beach with Blue Flag status. This is the Toronto beach to get away from the crowds, enjoy the sun and sea breeze, and maybe even go for a swim. If you’re in the area make sure to check out the Gibraltar Lighthouse, one of the oldest buildings in Toronto and rumours are it’s haunted.
Sauble Beach
Best Ontario beach for: a classic Canadian beach getaway
Toronto Pearson International Airport: Approximately 200km
Head on west to Lake Huron and experience Sauble Beach, one of the best beaches in Ontario where you can dive in and try out a ton of water activities, summer events, not to mention amazing sunsets.
Part of Bruce Peninsula, Sauble Beach has been a mainstay for Ontario beachgoers for decades now. It probably helps that Sauble Beach is an easy road trip from Toronto, establishing it as a perfect long weekend getaway year-round. The powdery white sand and calm waters also help the cause, so start planning your trip and see what all the fuss is about.
Old Woman Bay
Best Ontario beach for: out-of-this-world beach road trip
Sault. Ste Marie Airport: Approximately 200km
Somewhere along the shores of Lake Superior is the stunning Old Woman Bay. Seriously, Google some images and you’ll find yourself thinking, “is that really in Ontario?” Yes, yes it is.
Beauty abounds here in this unique part of Ontario. The wonderfully rugged coastline of Lake Superior makes up the southwestern edge of Ontario, where you’ll find some of the most remarkable views and national parks made for true nature buffs. Are the beaches cold? Yes. Are they strikingly beautiful? Heck yes. You can head here from the Nokomis Trail in the Lake Superior Provincial Park, as it provides a much-needed beach break from the hike. The beach is serviced with restrooms and some picnic tables and benches, but the best thing to do here is just wander up and down the bay taking in the surreal views.
This part of Lake Superior is about a 9-hour drive from Toronto or just a couple of hours north of Sault Ste. Marie. It’s right off the Trans Canada Highway, so book your vehicle permit with Ontario Parks before you plan to visit. If you’re renting a car from Toronto, check out these expert tips and tricks for saving money on your next car rental.
Sandbanks Dunes Beach
Best Ontario beach for: quintessential beach days
Toronto Pearson International Airport: Approximately 235km
Sandbanks Provincial Park has a few amazing beaches, but the crowning glory here really is Sandbanks Dunes Beach.
With shallow turquoise waters and rolling sand dunes as a backdrop, Sandbanks might just be your perfect Ontario beach. It can tend to get crowded easily in the peak of summer, so get your beach packing list together, arrive early, and get ready to enjoy a beautiful day at Sandbanks.
Want to make the most of your trip? Sandbanks is also one of the best places for camping in Canada. Be sure to book early in January for a spot in the summer months. And if you have some more time, don’t forget to check out the loyalist town of Picton in Prince Edward County, a place filled with tons of charm (and some of the best wineries in the country!) that it’s a must-go anytime of year.
Wasaga Beach
Best Ontario beach for: a freshwater beach with plenty of tourist amenities
Toronto Pearson International Airport: Approximately 110km
Located in Ontario’s Georgian Bay area, Wasaga Beach consistently makes pretty much every list for “best beaches in Ontario”, and for good reason. Beachgoers flock here every year to experience this 14-kilometre long stretch of sand that makes up the Wasaga Beach Provincial Park. Just two hours north of Toronto, Wasaga takes pride in being the longest freshwater beach in the world.
This is the heart of cottage country in Canada, so you’ll find plenty of vacation rentals on top of boutique hotels if you want to turn your beach day into an unforgettable long weekend getaway.
Agawa Bay Beach
Best beach in Ontario for: epic views and hiking opportunities
Sault Ste. Marie Airport: Approximately 140km
This list of the best beaches in Ontario wouldn’t be complete with just one beach on Lake Superior. A two-hour drive north of Sault Ste. Marie is the marvellous Agawa Bay Beach where camping, kayaking, and hiking opportunities abound. Courageous souls will brave the cold waters and go for a dip, but make sure to be mindful of the strong currents.
Agawa Bay is part of Lake Superior Provincial Park, so book a weekend camping trip via Ontario Parks and enjoy sunny days of hikes before turning in for breathtaking sunsets. Indulge in a history lesson and take a tour of the Agawa Rock pictographs, centuries-old pictographs on cliffside rocks that inspired the work of the Group of Seven.
The Ontario section of Lake Superior is significantly less busy than the populated GTA area, so this is where you go for more small-town vibes with big-time nature escapes.
Woodbine Beach
Best beach in Toronto for: city views with hip city vibes
Toronto Pearson International Airport: Approximately 40km
There’s no better place to enjoy the Toronto skyline than from the shores of Woodbine Beach. Located along Lake Ontario, Woodbine is a part of the “Beaches” district, which is a boho and boutique Toronto neighbourhood just outside of the downtown core. Definitely worth checking out if you’re visiting Toronto for the first time!
This Toronto beach has Blue Flag status and is filled with amenities. While it gets popular on weekends, many Torontonians prefer it to the busier Centre Island Beach on Toronto Island. The wide open stretch of sand here paired with a perfect view of the city skyline make Woodbine Beach your go-to for swimming and sunbathing the day away when you need a break from the hustle and bustle.
Grand Bend Beach
Best Ontario beach for: a welcoming beach community and water sports
Toronto Pearson International Airport: Approximately 205km
Located along the shores of Lake Huron, Grand Bend Beach is quickly becoming one of the province’s top beaches. Firstly, the town of Grand Bend is filled with tons of charm that you’ll want to book a hotel and stay at least a few days. Second, this southwestern Ontario beach has been granted Blue Flag status, so you know the water is safe for swimming and lounging in the sand for hours on end.
If you’re in the mood for a thrill, you can book a parasailing trip with a local agency. There’s also wakeboarding, waterskiing, and tubing experiences available to book.
Ontario beach tips:
Respect the beach and your natural surroundings. Collect all of your trash and bring it with you when you leave.
Some of these Ontario beaches have strong currents and tides, so always be mindful of high tide and go into the water with caution.
Pack for the beach: bring your high SPF reef-friendly sunscreen, a beach towel, and water shoes as some parts of these Ontario beaches can be pretty rocky.
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