Toronto 
It might be difficult to pick your next beach destination in Ontario. Between Ontario’s interior lakes, rivers, and the Great Lakes of Ontario, Huron, or Erie, this province has much to offer as a beach vacation.
©Destination Ontario
First, decide where in Ontario you’d like to visit: north, toward the lakes and cottage country, south, toward the warm waters of Lake Erie, central around the Bruce Peninsula and Georgian Bay, or simply something close to Toronto!
Second, decide what is important to you during a beach vacation. This could be accommodation availability, things to do off the water, arts and cultural experiences, or the amount of things to do on the waters.
These Ontario beach towns and cities could take you to many different parts of the province, and each offers its own local reasons for a visit.
Bayfield
Huron County’s Bayfield is on Lake Huron’s southern shores, where the sand is white and the waters are clear. With this, the town offers many opportunities to take advantage of those beautiful waters, whether it be through the beaches and waterfront parks, waterfront events, boating, or fishing. Plus, there are many additional attractions around Bayfield for those wanting to take a break from the beach or waters.
- The town of Bayfield operates three beautiful local beaches: Pier, Howard, and Houston Heights Beaches.
- Howard and Houston Heights Beaches both require a climb down a large staircase.
- Pier Beach is the easiest to access, with the parking beside the beach and the shore being a short walk from the Historic Downtown and Main Street Areas. This beach is all-sand with a narrow stretch of grass bordering the trees. Other activities include walking along the pier and shoreline, setting up picnics, or letting kids enjoy the playground. On-site amenities include parking and washrooms.
- Houston Heights Beach also offers parking, washrooms, and picnic areas but will require a climb down a staircase to reach the sandy shore.
- Howard Beach is a simple and secluded sandy area with limited parking at the top of the tall staircase which leads down to the shore.
- Make the most of the summer trip to Bayfield with the local summer festivals. In June, Bayfield hosts an Art Show & Sale and a Kids’ Summer Kick-off Party. July in Bayfield offers Vettefest, while August offers Summer Concerts at Bayfield Town Hall.
- There are a handful of official Bayfield Trails, with the town’s Heritage Trail being one of the closest to the beach. The 2.5km loop includes a trip down the historic Main Street and out to a lookout point over the mouth of the Bayfield River, where it opens to Lake Huron.
- Around Bayfield, there are a variety of ways to stay overnight. Choose between cabins, cottages, historic or winery inns, or waterfront hotels and resorts.
- Make your way a little east of Bayfield to find other great family-friendly attractions like the Bluestone Wake Park, which has wakeboarding experiences, an inflatable water park, and paddling experiences. Also easy of town is Bayfield Berry Farm & Winery, which offers summer u-pick. From June to September, the Bayfield Berry Farm has haskaps, strawberries, Saskatoons, raspberries, and more.
Grand Bend
This southern part of Lake Huron’s shoreline is an exciting place to be in the summers, especially around Grand Bend. The town is home to some of Ontario’s Blue Flag Beaches, family-friendly attractions, nearby provincial parks, and tour guides to help you explore further. Grand Bend is great for a quiet getaway or a beach vacation full of adventure.
- Grand Bend’s two main beaches are both on Lake Huron, which much of the west side of town lined with sandy shoreline. The main and North Beach in Grand Bend are the larger of the two and are in an area with more amenities. North Beach is at the end of Main and Centre Streets in town, with ample parking, washrooms, and a playground. The Grand Bend Beaches are also certified Blue Flag Beaches!
- A walk up and down Main Street will give you opportunities for a lot of local dining with bars and pubs, cafes, dessert shops, family restaurants, and international cuisine. Also, on Main Street, there are opportunities for a round of mini golf.
- The South Beach in Grand Bend is on the south side of the river, within walking distance from eateries like Whitecaps Rivershack and The Cottage Café.
- Choose between three different experiences from Grand Bend’s Xtreme Watersports, or pick all three to maximize your time. Xtreme Watersports offer jet ski rentals, jet boat charter trips, and Air BnB cottage rentals! If those aren’t big enough adventures over the beach, take on a trip with Grand Bend Parasail, which brings riders gliding over Lake Huron.
- Pinery Provincial Park provides even more beach space with a short drive south of Grand Bend. The park has designated beach space, canoe and kayak rentals, a campground for tents and RVs, and rustic camping shelters.
Wasaga Beach
If you’ll make anywhere in Ontario your next summer beach destination, make it the world’s largest freshwater beach! Wasaga Beach on Lake Huron stretches along the shores for 14km around the Georgian Bay. It is not only a famous destination within Ontario but also for other Canadians, Americans, and other international visitors. It is, no doubt, one of the best ways to experience the Georgian Bay and Lake Huron.
- Wasaga Beach Provincial Park has six official beach areas, all of which have washrooms and parking areas. The entire park is day use only.
- Beach 1 & 2: These Wasaga Beaches are located on the northeast side of the shoreline and a short distance from a large grouping of hotels and waterfront inns. Beach Area 1 is the park’s only boat launch, while Beach Area 2 will get you closer to town services like cafes, restaurants, bars, and many other eateries.
- Another local boat launch is open at the Wasaga Sports Park.
- Beach Area 3: The dog beach!
- Beach 4 & 5: These are slightly quieter beaches to the southwest of the main town strip and streets.
- Beach 6: The smallest of the beaches, with no picnic amenities and limited parking.
- Within the Provincial Park is also the Nancy Island Historic Site, open from spring to fall. The museum showcases the history and artifacts surrounding the HMS Nancy and the War of 1812.
- Explore more of the Georgian Bay with local boat rental companies like Wasaga Watersports or Picture Perfect Marine Rentals.
- The Shaka Wasaga Boat Cruise offers guided boat tours around the Georgian Bay as a family-friendly experience, but also with an onboard bar.
- Book a stay with these waterfront accommodations: Bayfront Beach Resort, Beach Cottage Rentals, Saga Resort, or Villa Nova Motel Resort, to name a few!
Picton – Sandbanks Provincial Park
The northern shores of Lake Ontario provide many beach towns and parks to visit in the summer. But a visit to Picton will take you to a unique spot on the Lake to the west of the 1000 Islands. Picton is part of Prince Edward County which covers a large piece of land that stretches far out onto the lake with several small channels separating it from the mainland. Picton sits on that channel with the town surrounding the harbour of the same name.
- Picton is more of a boating destination than a beach destination. And while the actual township of Picton does not have a beach, those of Sandbanks Provincial Park are only 15km southwest of Picton, along with other municipal beaches.
- There are three beautiful beaches to enjoy in Sandbanks Provincial Park: Outlet, Lakeshore, and Dunes Beaches. These are all sand beaches available for day-use visitors and campers. The campgrounds at the park include those for tents, RVS, and cottage rentals.
- Take in the quiet cottage life in Picton with the dozens of rentals and accommodation options in town or just outside of town.
- For the smaller size of Picton, there is an incredible amount of local dining. Try out the casual fare of Angry Birds Rotisserie Chicken, The County Canteen, Prince Edward Pizza, Onesta, Pie Guy’s Pizzeria, or Hartley’s Tavern.
- All of Prince Edward County is dotted with wineries, cideries, distilleries, and breweries. The PEC Wine Tours offer packages that include a bit of everything or ones that are all about the wine.
- Bring bikes or find a local rental shop, as cycling is one of the best ways to explore Picton or Prince Edward County in the summer months.
Cobourg
A day or weekend in Cobourg this summer could include many lazy hours at the white sandy beach, along with several other types of summer fun. Cobourg plays host to outdoor summer events, festivals, and concerts and offers a great variety of local shops or shopping experiences. This is an excellent place for exploring on bike or foot, too, with public art decorating many of the streets.
Credit: Cobourg
- A Cobourg Beach day or weekend may include several activities at the beach, including the annual festivals, local shopping, and other town attractions. The Cobourg Beach, next to the Marina, has an expansive sandy space, an adjacent campground, and a swimming space. Other activities available here include boating of all kinds, lazy floating, beach volleyball, and picnics.
- The beach area is part of the larger Victoria Park, with trails that connect you to King Street and Cobourg’s main area for restaurants and dining. Plus, this is also the location of many local shops for clothing, gifts, sweets, and more.
- Summers are eventful in this picturesque beach town with the Cobourg Waterfront Festival (June-July), Canada Day celebrations, the Busker Festival downtown (July), or the Northumberland Ribfest (August), held in Cobourg. Plus, the Cobourg Farmers’ Market (May-October) is a seasonal and limited-time opportunity for getting all the local vendors in one convenient spot!
- The arts and culture of Cobourg are on full display around the historic town, and there are many public murals, sculptures, and plaques to explore. Plus, the town is home to venues like the Concert Hall at Victoria Hall and the Firehouse Theatre.
Port Burwell
A visit to Port Burwell can also enhance a vacation in the neighbouring Port Burwell Provincial Park. Together, these destinations on the north shore of Lake Erie offer visitors an escape from busy life or noisier cities, plenty of beach experiences, and any town service you might need.
- Port Burwell Provincial Park is home to one of Ontario’s warmer beaches and swimming areas. The beach area has shallow and warm waters and a sandy bottom, and there are nearby washrooms for added convenience. Whether you’re camping at the park or not, the 2km trail between the beach and campground is a great place for a simple hike and beautiful views.
- Find even more camping opportunities at the Big Otter Creek Campground.
- The area does not have a lot of hotels. However, you will find a great number of private vacation rentals available at Air BnB or VRBO.
- There is a beach right in Port Burwell, too, across the park from Big Otter Creek. From this beach, you’ll be within walking distance of the local dining, stores, and other local attractions.
- The Museum of Naval History, the Port Burwell Marine Museum and Historic Lighthouse, are two such attractions within walking distance of Port Burwell Beach.
- The Port Burwell Periscope Playhouse offers live music and theatre every month.
Port Stanley
Port Stanley is centred around Lake Erie Beach. The town’s main beach has access to downtown, dining, and views is near accommodations and is filled with more activities on or off the waters. There will be chances for self-guided or guided water adventures, swimming in Blue Flag waters, shopping, and more. This area also has a wonderful array of vacation rentals, cabins, cottages, and accommodation options.
Credit: Port Stanley Terminal Rail/Larry Broadbent
- The Main Port Stanley Beach at the end of William Street is one of Ontario’s Blue Flag Beaches. The long sandy stretch of beach has a swimming area, beach volleyball nets, and a few patios right on the beach. Downtown Port Stanley, the Pier, and the Lighthouse are all a short walk from the Main Beach.
- On the opposite side of the harbour and to the east is Port Stanley’s Little Beach. This quieter area is great for bringing in picnic snacks and enjoying a calmer beach experience.
- Hit the waters around Port Stanley on guided adventures with Legends of Lake Erie, and Orange Force Marine, or a self-guided adventures with rentals from Bridgeview Marina
- Find a great number of choices for waterfront cottages, cabins in the trees, or other cozy vacation rentals in Port Stanley from VRBO, or Air BnB.
- For a quick break from the water, visit the nearby Great Lakes Farms (June-November) who offer summer u-pick, a café and patio, and kids’ farm games.
- For added fun with kids, take a sixty-minute, 13.6 km round trip from Port Stanley to Whytes Park on Port Stanley Terminal Rail.
Parry Sound
When it comes to beach destinations, Lake Huron and the Georgian Bay’s Parry Sound offer it all through two distinctly different beaches. Experience the beauty of the lake’s Parry Sound many ways from the town of the same name with the Blue Flag beaches, boating, hiking and biking trails, or a walk along the town’s waterfront trails. The views from the waterfront look out over the Georgian Bay’s “30,000 islands,” the largest freshwater archipelago in the world.
- Those two official Parry Sound swim and splash areas are at Waubuno and Centennial Beaches, both of which lay on the Georgian Bay.
- The Centennial (or Old Town) Beach on the south side of town is the quieter and smaller of the two beaches.
- And thanks to the Regiment Waterfront Fitness Trail, the second beach is a 5-minute walk or 2-minute bike ride north. The trail is 6km in total along the waterfront.
- Waubuno Beach is a full-service beach with washrooms and changerooms, a lifeguard, beach volleyball nets, and a snack bar.
- More ways to enjoy the Georgian Bay waters around Parry Sound include sightseeing or dining trips with the Parry Sound Cruise Line, or 30,000 Island Cruise Lines. For self-guided water adventures, contact White Squall for nonmotorized boat rentals and shuttle service.
- The summer events kick off in Parry Sound with Canada Day and the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in July. Summer events with multiple dates include Art in the Park (weekends in July), and the Summer Market (June-August). And last but certainly not least is the Festival of the Sound, an annual two-week event in late July and early August.
- Get into some of the unique history of the area, including hockey arts, culture, and heritages at the Charles W. Stockey Centre & Bobby Orr Hall Of Fame, or the newly renovated West Parry Sound District Museum beside the Tower Hill Heritage Garden.
Sauble Beach
As one of Ontario’s top beaches overall, the town of Sauble Beach certainly has a lot to offer over the summer. And no matter what type of vacation you’re after, the area has it all! This includes vacation and day trip ideas for families, couples, friends, or large groups.
- Sauble Beach Park and the town’s main beach are easy to find at the end of Main Street and along Lakeshore Boulevard. The park has amenities like washrooms, tennis courts, and paid parking lots.
- From the beach, all of the Sauble Beach services and additional attractions will be within walking or biking distance. These include Ascent Aerial Park, a clip-and-climb park, restaurants and cafes, arcades and mini golf, or antique and boutique shopping.
- Plan Sauble Beach trip around the local summer events like Sauble Beach’s Summer Starts Here Festival (June), the Canada Day party, Sandfest (August), and Free Wednesday Concerts in the Square.
- Plus, almost any weekend in the summer will grant you access to free summer concerts in the square in Sauble Beach.
- is the simplest way to access the expansive sandy beaches in this part of Huron. Along the beach are fast food restaurants and concessions, picnic areas, and many nearby restaurants.
- Find accommodations and/or boat rentals with the Sauble River Marina & Lodge Resort.
Tiny
Tiny is part of a long stretch of shoreline across the Georgian Bay just after Wasaga Beach when heading north. On the far south of the Tiny Township are several beaches, parks, and beach communities. Follow the shoreline all the way to Cedar Point, where there is a ferry on the Christian Island, another opportunity for a cool beach experience!
- Tiny’s beaches are easy to find by following Tiny Beaches Road! While following the road, remember that some of the beach space will belong to the private properties and cottages along the road. However, along this road are many public spaces to enjoy!
- Tiny’s Bluewater Beach is one of the first stops when heading south to north. The beach has an expansive boardwalk trail network, making it a little easier for everyone to get out to the sandy beach.
- Next up is the Jackson Beach Park. This larger beach has ample parking, washrooms, and picnic areas.
- Toward the north end of Tiny, and past the Cedar Point-Christian Island Ferry, is Awenda Provincial Park, yet another beautiful chance for swimming or enjoying a beach day on the Georgian Bay. Methodist Point Bay is the largest and most spacious of the park’s three beaches.
- Besides Lake Huron, Awenda also covers the much smaller Kettle’s Lake. Boaters of all kinds can explore the Georgian Bay, but those waters could be a bit choppy for canoers and kayakers or SUP-ers. Luckily, non-motorized boats are allowed on Kettle’s Lake!
- Plan your beach trip around Tiny’s annual Festival Du Loup, held each July. The festival is a celebration of the area’s Francophone culture, history, and heritage.
Fort Erie
Come to Fort Erie for the beaches, and you’ll end up staying to explore all the other attractions and activities this area has to offer. Fort Erie is one of the quieter, slower-paced Niagara destinations and is generally less crowded to areas closer to the falls. Once in Fort Erie, it will be tempting to spend all your time at their scenic beaches. Also, around the area, there are many pieces of local history, arts, and culture to explore.
- Bay or Crystal Beach is the large Fort Erie Beach in town with paid parking in effect. Further east on the shoreline of Lake Erie is the town’s Crescent Beach Park. This is better accessed by foot or bike, with a main trail running past the park and toward Waverley Beach Park.
- Crystal Beach has a public boat launch, while boaters can find four more north of town along the Niagara River. For those without their own watercraft, Adventure Crystal Beach has all you need in terms of rentals: sea-doos, multi-person SUPs, or single SUPs.
- That main trail is the Friendship Recreation Trail, which cuts through the entire town and follows the Erie shoreline east to west. The trail extends for 16km and permits cycling.
- Off the water, there is an abundance of history to explore around Fort Erie with a visit to the Old Fort Erie National Historic Site (May-October), with Point Abino Lighthouse Tours (June-September), or with a self-guided tour of Fort Erie’s historical landmarks.
- To continue the fun near the beach, take advantage of two free concert events happening over the summer: the Summer Breezes Concert Series, or the Waterfront Park Concert Series.
- June in Fort Erie is usually busy with weekend car shows and is the month for the city’s Pride celebrations. July is Fort Erie, which offers chances to celebrate Canada Day, the Ridgeway Summer Festival, the Food Truck Festival at the Races, and the Circle of Art. And for August, the town holds the annual Siege of Fort Erie Battle Re-enactment and RORE Fest.
- Enjoy the local shopping with seasonal opportunities from the Ridgeway BIA Farmer’s Market (Saturdays, May to October) or the Crystal Beach Supper Market (Thursdays, July to August); or take in some of the local shopping around town on Ridge Road in Crystal Beach, and Garrison Road in Fort Erie.
Saugeen Shores
If there is one thing that a visit to Saugeen Shores, which includes Port Elgin and Southampton, can guarantee for your beach vacation or day trip, it is incredible views over Lake Huron and even better views at sunset. The town of Southampton faces west over Lake Huron near the base of the Bruce Peninsula. This location affords visitors great sunsets, as well as gorgeous beaches from which to enjoy the views. The area is also a great multi-day destination location given the many places to stay in the area for camping, hotels, cabins, cottages, and more.
- There are a handful of beaches along the Saugeen Shores, each with its own draw or features.
- The Southampton Main Beach is a quieter area with boardwalk access to the sand.
- The Miramichi Bay Beach is where you’ll want to catch those epic Southampton sunsets. Rather than swimming, this area is great for birding and enjoying the shore’s other wildlife. South Street Beach is a popular place for families, with swing sets lining the beach.
- MacGregor Point Provincial Park, nestled along Lake Huron’s shore near Port Elgin, showcases a rich tapestry of ecosystems across its seven-kilometre stretch. Park interpreters lead summer activities exploring diverse habitats like silver maple swamps, cattail marshes, and carnivorous plant dwellings, offering glimpses of rare species like Dwarf Lake Iris and Spotted Turtle.
- Each July, the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre host the Marine Heritage Festival. And all summer long, visitors can take part in boat tours with the museum.
- Stop by for a visit to the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre to explore various of exhibits, or to walk the short loop around Fairy Lake.
- High Street is one of the best places to go in Southampton for local dining; the street also ends at the Main Beach, making it an easy walk or bike ride from the sand.
- Take a tour to Chantry Island for a history tour and a chance to walk the 107 steps up to the top of the Lighthouse.
Sudbury
Sudbury is not a place you consider going on a beach vacation. If you are looking for educational experiences from science museums to all the amenities of a city, plan a weekend in Sudbury.
While many of Ontario’s popular beach destinations are along the Great Lakes shorelines, Sudbury offers a quieter, smaller, and still amenity-packed vacation experience. Sudbury is on a lake and surrounded by many, many more lakes of varying sizes. Ramsey Lake is the largest of the ones in Sudbury, with the city to the west and the Lake Laurentian Conservation Area to the east.
- The closest beach to town and the main streets of Sudbury is the Bell Park Main Beach on Ramsey Lake. There is a great deal of sandy space, as well as grassy hills behind the beach for more picnic space. Follow the park’s shorter looping trails to see Canada’s Largest Mural, or great views over the lake from the elevated park gazebo. This park is monitored by a lifeguard.
- On the opposite side of the lake (east side) is Moonlight Beach, which offers the same amenities like washrooms, a lifeguard, and picnic areas.
- Besides the massive mural near Bell Park, there are dozens more to see around Sudbury. Take a self-guided mural tour around the city for awe-inspiring works of public art. The murals are a result of the Up Here Festival, where muralists are painting live, along with musical performances and more activities around downtown Sudbury.
- Dive into more local arts, food, and culture with Sudbury’s summer events. Choose between things like the Live Jazz Wednesdays (June) Peter Schneider Concert Series (June-August), Sudbury Greek Festival (July), Pride Week (July), Sudbury Poutinefest (August), Ribfest (August-September), or New Sudbury Days (August).
- Find many other family-friendly attractions around Sudbury, like Dynamic Earth, Science North, Kartways, or Dinosaur Valley Mini Golf.
Elliot Lake
This Ontario city is nestled between two of the thousands of lakes in northern Ontario. To the west of town is the town’s namesake, Elliot Lake. And to the east is the much smaller Horne Lake. The town of Elliot Lake is in a perfect location for summer beachgoers or anyone wanting to explore Ontario’s lakes. The area also draws in boaters, fishers, and campers.
- The city of Elliot Lake operates two different beaches on the southeast shores of Elliot Lake: Spruce Beach and Spine Beach. Both beaches permit swimming and provide large sandy areas, picnic tables, and playgrounds. They also offer amenities like washrooms, changerooms, and lifeguard services (daily 12 pm-7 pm).
- Both beaches are tucked away from town in groupings of shady trees. Plus, both beaches are perfect places for launching rafts, canoes, or kayaks out onto Elliot Lake. Spruce Beach is an excellent spot for sunsets over the lake with a west-facing view.
- Besides Elliot Lake, there are many other nearby lakes for canoers and kayakers to enjoy, along with several routes between different lakes spanning from single- to multi-day boat trips.
- Enjoy a third and even quiet beach about 25km north of Elliot Lake via ON-108. The Mississagi Provincial Park is on the west shores of Semiwite Lake and tucked deep in the Central Ontario forest. The park has three beaches, with two in the day-use area and one at the campground. Plus, a fourth beach is accessible by hiking or boating. For those wanting to get out and explore more on the boat, the park also offers canoe rentals!
- Book a site for rustic, walk-in, or car camping at the Mississagi Provincial Park. Otherwise, choose between a cozier stay with places like Dunlop Lake Lodge, the local Hampton Inn, or these local Air BnB rentals.
- Help the city celebrate the summer festivals and events during your beach vacation. Catch events like Heritage Days (late June) or the Summer in the Park Concert Series with a performance each month from June to September at Westview Park.
