Toronto 
With all the Great Lakes surrounding Canada’s most populous province, it is no wonder that Ontario is home to some of the best beaches in Canada.
These beaches stretching along the shores of Lake Huron, Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, and Northern Ontario’s inland waters offer some of the province’s best summer getaways.
In 2020, all these beaches were awarded the most coveted Blue Flag certification. The Blue Flag is an international award presented to beaches and marinas that meet stringent environmental, safety, and cleanliness standards.
LAKE HURON BEACHES
Pier Beach (Bayfield Main Beach)
Credit: Mark Plummer
Located only a short walk from the Historic Village of Bayfield, Pier Beach is a lovely and pleasant family-friendly place that is perfect for sunbathing and taking a dip in the cool water.
Where: Located on the shores of Lake Huron at 48 Long Hill Rd, Bayfield
Grand Bend – North Beach
Credit: Ontario’s Blue Coast
Grand Bend Beach is a beautiful sandy beach that is approximately 20 acres. Being an extremely popular summer destination, the area boasts a beach house, dozens of restaurants, snack bars and more, all within walking distance.
Where: Located on the shores of Lake Huron in Lambton Shores
Canatara Park Beach
Credit: City of Sarnia
Canatara Park Beach is a sandy beach that stretches for nearly a kilometre along the shore! The beach is located in Canatara Park and boasts over 84 acres of parkland including walking/biking trails, passive areas, picnic areas, forests, and many more amazing fun opportunities.
Where: Located on the shores of Lake Huron in Sarnia
Wasaga Beach Areas 1,2,5
Credit: Chris/Flickr
Wasaga Beach boasts a pleasant 14-kilometre-long sandy beach with warm, shallow water, which makes Wasaga the ideal place for swimmers of all ages.
Where: Located on the shores of Lake Huron, 11 22nd St N, Wasaga Beach
LAKE ONTARIO BEACHES
Sandbanks Provincial Park – Outlet Beach
Outlet Beach faces directly out onto Lake Ontario and is perfect for families, as the beach offers warm, shallow waters with a gentle drop-off.
Where: Located on the shores of Lake Ontario in 3004 County Rd 12, Picton, ON K0K 2T0
Victoria Beach
Victoria Beach is paradise on Lake Ontario! The beach has beautiful, clean sandy shores, a boardwalk, inviting water for swimming, and a beach canteen. The area also offers excellent facilities, including a playground, splash pad, picnic tables and an information booth.
Where: Located on the shores of Lake Ontario in Victoria Park, Cobourg
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Bluffer’s Beach
Bluffer’s Park Beach offers a wide range of facilities and activities, including marinas, parklands, swimming, fishing, and picnic areas. You can also enjoy the geographical feature “the bluffs.”
Limited Parking is available.
Where: Located on the shores of Lake Ontario at 1 Brimley Rd S, Scarborough
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Kew-Balmy
Credit: Andy Nystrom/Flickr
Kew and Balmy Beaches are beautiful beaches filled with history and charm.
Parking is available.
Where: Located on the shores of Lake Ontario in 2 Silver Birch Ave, Toronto
Woodbine Beach
Woodbine Beach is a popular 15.2-hectare, broad and beautiful curve of sand and one of the city’s best gateways to the Lake Ontario shoreline. Woodbine Beach is a popular spot for picnics, sunbathing and swimming. It is also the site of annual fireworks on Victoria Day and Canada Day.
Where: Located on the shores of Lake Ontario in 1675 Lake Shore Blvd E, Toronto
Ward’s Island Beach
Ward’s Island Beach is a beautiful hidden gem with calm and clear waters. Take Ward’s Island ferry to get to the beach.
Where: Located on the shores of Lake Ontario on the Toronto Islands, Toronto
Cherry Beach
Cherry Beach is a wonderful sandy family-friendly beach that has a diverse and colourful place in the history of Toronto. Cherry Beach is known for its kite-surfing, swimming, walking, BBQs and the summer parties.
Where: Located on the shores of Lake Ontario in Toronto
Gibraltar Point
Credit: Andy Nystrom
Described by many as a hidden gem, Gibraltar Beach is a beautiful stretch of sand that faces out on Lake Ontario and is all that is left of the sand dunes that once blanketed the area.
Where: Located on the shores of Lake Ontario on the Toronto Islands, Toronto
Hanlan’s Point
A beautiful yet desolate beach that has long been a recreation point for Torontonians, in fact, it’s where Babe Ruth hit his first professional home run. This is also Toronto’s only clothing-optional beach.
Where: Located on the shores of Lake Ontario on the Toronto Islands, Toronto
Centre Island
Centre Island Beach has very calm, shallow, and slightly warmer waters and is a wonderful place to spend the day with friends and family. Take the Centre Island ferry to get to the beach.
Where: Located on the shores of Lake Ontario on the Toronto Islands, Toronto
LAKE ERIE BEACHES
Port Burwell Municipal Beach
Port Burwell Municipal Beach boasts a beautiful, long stretch of sandy shoreline which is renowned for its accessible facilities, excellent waters and a lighthouse built in 1840.
Where: Located on the shores of Lake Erie on 1 Robinson St, Port Burwell
Port Stanley Main Beach
Port Stanley shares its main beaches and facilities with thousands every summer, who come to enjoy the beach volleyball, boardwalk, free parking, friendly service and other facilities.
Where: Located on the shores of Lake Erie on 348 Edith Cavell Blvd, Port Stanley
Port Glasgow
Away from the maddening crowds, Port Glasgow beach is perfect for those who want a calm and quiet day on a small sandy and pebbled beach on the shores of Lake Erie.
Where: Located on the shores of Lake Erie on 8536 Haven’s Lake Road in Rodney
NORTHERN ONTARIO BEACHES
Waubuno Beach
Credit: Town of Parry Sound
Waubuno Beach or the “New Town Beach”, as commonly referred to by locals, is a great family-friendly beach with a playground, snack bar, washroom and change facilities, and free parking.
Where: Located on the shores of Georgian Bay on 27 Prospect St, Parry Sound
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Moonlight Beach
The Moonlight Beach is a small yet beautiful swimming location that offers park trails and leisure areas. The Moonlight Beach boasts over 700 feet of shoreline and offers free parking, a playground, and picnic benches.
Where: Located on the shores of Ramsey Lake on Dube Rd, Greater Sudbury
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Bell Park Beaches
Bell Park Beaches are a pleasant and popular sandy beach that is known for hosting various seasonal events. Bell Park has snack bars and functional restrooms.
Where: Located on the shores of Ramsey Lake on Bell Park Boardwalk, Greater Sudbury
Spruce and Spine Beach
Spine Beach and Spruce Beach are beautifully clean and fantastic beaches that are tucked away in the charming town of Elliot Lake. Spine Beach in particular is known for its white sand and clear waters, and it’s a beautiful walking trail that connects the beaches and the Westview boat launch. Both beach facilities are supervised by lifeguards throughout the summer months of July and August.
Where: Located on the shores of Elliot Lake on Lakeshore Drive, Elliot Lake
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