There is incredible natural beauty to uncover all across this great Ontario Beach. The Georgian Bay’s Wasaga Beach is the world’s longest freshwater beach.
Credit: Destination Ontario
It gives visitors access to over 10km of smooth and sandy beaches but a lot more natural beauty in addition to the shoreline. The park and town area also surround the Nottawasaga River as it winds from Lake Huron and through the Wasaga parkland areas.
With all this, the Wasaga Beach Park and surrounding areas provide seemingly endless opportunities for summer recreation.
Summer Events & Festivals
Planning a summer vacation is often made easier by planning around local events or festivals. And in Wasaga Beach, these live events or festivals happen all summer long.
- The Wasaga BeachLife Festival and Midway runs July 23 to 26 with live music, rides, beach activities, paddleboard lessons, yoga and sunset rides.
- Awaken the Isle brings pirate-themed storytelling, crafts and characters to Nancy Island on Aug. 15.
- Memories of Summer expands Sept. 3 to 5 into a three-night beachfront concert series with Motown, yacht rock, Wing Night and fireworks.
- Other highlights include the Not-So-Pro Volleyball Tournament, Foam Fest 5K, Rockin’ the River and the Wasaga Beach Triathlon, adding sport, music and family-friendly fun across town.
Make the Most of the World’s Longest Freshwater Beach
And in total, that beach takes up 14km of shoreline! There are six beaches in total at Wasaga Beach Provincial Park. The day-use areas and beaches each have their own features, and each offers different things. These beaches have space to swim, picnic, sunbathe on the sand, launch canoes or kayaks, or enjoy frisbee or volleyball. And beyond the beaches are many other ways to create a day of adventure in the water.
- Beaches 1 & 2 are the more popular areas of the park. These spots are extremely close to restaurants, bars, and cafes and offer a boat launch from Beach 1.
- Beach 3 is for the pups. This is the Provincial Park’s official dog beach.
- Beaches 4 & 5 are both close to dining and eateries as well, with many places just a few blocks away. These are the park’s quieter of the large beach areas, still with picnic and washroom amenities.
- Beach 6 is Wasaga’s smallest beach area. There are no picnic amenities or washrooms at this beach.
- After taking the opportunity to laze about the expansive Wasaga Beach, it could be time for more adventure. You can rent a variety of watercraft for self-guided adventures from Wasaga Watersports and Picture Perfect Marine Rentals.
- Shaka Wasaga Boat Cruise offers a much different experience on the water. Rather than adventures, take in a day of sightseeing and relaxation from the boat bar.
More Family-Friendly Attractions Near the Beach
Whether you’re after more history and sightseeing, more adventures, or more to do as a family, there is a ton of fun in Wasaga Beach off the sand and waters.
- The notable family attractions in the area include summer fun at Wasaga Adventure Park (airsoft and paintball), the Rounds Ranch (fun farm) or Wasaga 500 Go-Karts.
- The Nancy Island Historic Site is part of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park and is easy to visit for anyone at the beach. The Site is open from spring to fall, with exhibits to tour and live re-enactments of scenes from the War of 1812. Plus, you’ll learn specifically about the significance of the HMS Nancy during the War. Plus, the walk to and the views of the Nancy Island Lighthouse area are beautiful on a sunny summer day.
- The Wasaga Beach Archives are open to visitors and the public. Plus, the organization will host events throughout the summer to help people dig deeper into the history and heritage.
Hiking in Wasaga Beach
While this area is well-known as a beach destination, it is also a wonderful place for hiking from easy to advanced! The parkland and greenspace south of the Nottawasaga River are collectively known as the Wasaga Dunes area.
In the winter, the extensive trail system is groomed for Nordic skiing. And in the summers, these trails take you through gorgeous and lush woodland areas.
The Wasaga Dunes contain about 30km worth of trails. These are all broken into small loops, making it easy to create your own adventure, with lengths ranging from 1km to 20 km or more.
Where to Eat in Wasaga Beach
Lucky for beachgoers in Wasaga Beach, there are places to eat all along this 14km stretch of sand. Toward the north end of the beaches and Provincial Park are restaurants, food trucks, and eateries set up right on or near the sand. As you get further southwest along the shore, the restaurants and eateries are a block or two away from the beaches.
- Find a collection of various types of foods near the Beach Area 6 with options like 98 Super Panda, St. Louis Bar & Grill, Beacon Restaurant, or the Stacked Pancake & Breakfast House.
- Near Beach Area 5 are even more options, most of which are scattered along Mosley Street. Enjoy local eats like Wasagas Curry & Cocktail, Nana Lea’s Eats & Treats, The Hive, Pizzaville, Thonburi Thai Food, British Cuisine Fish & Chips, or Pho Simcoe.
- Beach Areas 1 and 2 are divided by a collection of restaurants and fast food eateries. These places are only a 5-minute walk or so from your beach spot! Indulge in fresh pizzas, sit back on a rooftop patio, or show up later for the nightlife.
Where to Stay in Wasaga Beach
Mosley Street is the main drag in Wasaga Beach, which runs almost parallel to the shoreline. From Mosley Street is access to all six of the Provincial Park’s beach areas. Plus, it is home to many of the area’s hotels, motels, inns, or bed and breakfasts.
- This might be one of the best places along the Georgian Bay shores for a waterfront stay in the summer. Choose between hotels and resorts like the Bayfront Beach Resort, Beach Cottage Rentals, Saga Resort, or Villa Nova Motel Resort.
- The Provincial Park is day use only, but there are still great campgrounds all around the area, like Wasaga Pines, Jacque’s Landing Campground, or the Jell-e Bean Campground.