Toronto 
Welcome to Ontario’s West Coast or Blue Coast! One look at some of the beaches around Lake Huron in Ontario, and it is immediately evident why the area gets the names.
© Ethan Meleg/Destination Ontario
Lake Huron’s beaches are lined with white and fine sand, while the waters are clear up close and bright blue from far away. These incredible beaches are popular spots for day trips from southern Ontario’s major centres. Many of the communities along the Lake Huron shoreline provide enough activities or recreation to fill week-long vacations.
These places are the perfect way to plan a drive along Lake Huron. Along the way are many Blue Flag Beaches.
Sarnia
Sarnia is on the far southern shore of Lake Huron. It also sits across from Port Huron, Michigan, on the St. Clair River. So, to the north of town is the expansive Lake Huron, while the river runs along the west side of Sarnia. This general location of the small city makes it a hub of outdoor and water adventures in the summer. The city of Sarnia has much to see and do off the water, too.
- For those looking for the Blue Coast experience, Canatara Beach and Park is a beautiful spot in Sarnia for swimming and tons of other activities like wildlife viewing, picnics, and birding.
- Other attractions at Canatara Park include the Children’s Animal Farm Petting Zoo, the Canatara Choo Choo (a kids’ train), and a BMX track, all operated by Seaway Kiwanis.
- Take two or choose between two Interactive Tours around the city. They offer maps for a self-guided Heritage Walking Tour, and a Trees of Distinction Bike Tour.
- More great local trails are found in Centennial Park and Gardens (beside the harbour) with public art on the trails; Wawanosh Wetlands Conservation Area on the east side of Sarnia is home to a huge array of wildlife and plants to explore.
- Sarnia’s Stones & Bones Museums contains over 6000 artifacts and counting; this is a must-visit in the city, especially for a rainy summer day!
- Judith & Norman Alex Art Gallery or a live show at the Imperial Theatre are perfect ways to get different experiences of local and Canadian culture.
- Downtown Sarnia is where you’ll find places for Riverside and patio dining, and shopping for a variety of interests.
- Summer events in Sarnia kick off with Canada Day and continue with the Revelree Music Festival (July), the Sounds of Summer (all summer), and Shop the Shoreline (August).
Grand Bend
Welcome to one of the Blue Coast’s most charming beachside town! Grand Bend is known for one of the most beautiful beaches along Lake Huron. The beach provides summer activities like swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, and simply relaxing.
- Grand Bend’s Main Street is home to a great variety of boutique shops for things like clothing, home décor, bath and body, souvenirs, and more. Main Street eventually brings you to the beautiful Grand Bend Beach. If you build up a hunger while exploring Main Street, you’ll find patios, takeout, dessert spots, cafes, bars, and more.
- For a slightly quieter park and beach space, head to the southwest part of Grand Bend and the Pinery Provincial Park. Nearby is also the Pinery Market, which is open every Sunday. The park offers swimming, canoeing (rentals available), kayaking, fishing, hiking, cycling, and camping.
- No matter how you’d like to explore Grand Bend, there is likely a rental for you! Rentals in town include those for on the water, like jet skis and jet boats. Plus, local operators offer parasailing tours to get you out and over the water!
- More thrilling adventures are available courtesy of the Grand Bend Speedway; they offer go-karting and race car driving experiences.
- Some of the top local attractions for a summer visit include Grand Bend’s two mini golf courses, Jurassic Mini Golf or Grand Bend Mini Golf, the Dark Horse Estate Winery, and the Lambton Heritage Museum.
Bayfield
Bayfield is one of the smaller communities along Lake Huron and within Bluewater. It is a perfect summer destination for anyone looking to get back to nature.
As with many other Lake Huron shoreline towns and communities, Bayfield is at the junction of Huron and a river- the Bayfield River.
The smaller population of Bayfield and the natural surroundings help to make it a quiet place to escape, camp, swim, or take part in several other summer activities.
- While the peaceful natural surroundings near Bayfield are great for recreation, the town itself plays host to several summer celebrations. Plan a trip around the June art festivals, or the July and September car shows.
- The three Bayfield beaches are all sandy shoreline areas. Pier Beach is the easiest to access with the parking beside the beach. Howard and Houston Heights Beaches both require a trek down 80-85 steps on staircases.
- The official Bayfield Trails are well-maintained by dedicated volunteers. These trails allow for hiking through beautiful woodland and wetland areas, which have varying degrees of difficulty for each trail.
- Stroll Heritage Main Street in Bayfield for gorgeous patios, tasty ice cream shops, cafes, a classic drive-in, pubs, and gourmet fare. The area is packed with dozens of shops, too, for fashion, home décor, gifts, sports, and books.
- The attractive accommodation options around Bayfield add to the beach-vacation-charm of the town. Choose between spots like Wildwood by the River (camping), Bayfield River Cottages (cabins and cottages), The Albion Hotel (historic inn), or the Deer Park Lodge (beachside cabins)
- Bluestone Wake Park is a unique attraction to the east of Bayfield where water enthusiasts can try wakeboarding, paddling, or traversing the aqua park.
Goderich
Goderich is easily considered a festival city when it comes to its summer schedule of events. There are festivals and celebrations almost every weekend in Goderich in the summer, as well as many other reasons to make a trip to this Lake Huron town. The scenic areas around town extend from the beaches to the forests and wetlands on the other side of town.
- Three local beaches along Cove Road include Rotary Cove Beach, St. Christopher’s Beach, and Goderich Main Beach. A Boardwalk Trail and paved path connect all of these beaches while following Cove Rd.
- Many other hiking trails wind around the Goderich Area. Cross the Maitland River atop the Tiger Dunlop Heritage Trail. After the river bridge, the trail leads to Tiger Dunlop’s preserved tomb (6km out and back). Additionally, Morris Tract Provincial Nature Preserve has about 10km of hiking trails around the Maitland River.
- The central hub of Goderich is the Courthouse Square between East and West Streets. Around the square are Goderich’s best stores, restaurants, and bakeries. Also at Courthouse Park is the Summer Concert Series and a weekend market.
- Huron Historic Gaol Museum provides tours through the historic jail and immersive Behind the Bars experiences.
- Join the local communities in July each summer for the Kinette’s Festival of Arts & Crafts, Summerfest, or FTFE Theatre Festival. Or, plan for a trip in August to celebrate the Celtic Roots Festival, Sunset Music Festival or the Salt, Blues & Harvest Festival!
- With so many summer events and activities, Goderich also provides many pretty, unique, or boutique places to stay.
- One of the simplest ways to enjoy Goderich is with a gorgeous sunset over Lake Huron and next to the Goderich Lighthouse (the oldest on Ontario’s West Coast!).
Kincardine
The rich Scottish heritage and history of Ontario’s Kincardine are on full display all around town and through a few notable summer events.
The area’s history is also easy to explore with the local museums. This is a perfect family destination with plenty to do in a day at the beaches or nearby local attractions.
Kincardine is also easy to explore by bike or on foot, with several trails winding around the shops, restaurants, museums, and beaches.
- Much of the city’s history and heritage are on display through attractions like Kincardine Lighthouse and Museum, Walker House Museum, or these self-guided tours of local gardens.
- Celebrate the roots, arts, culture, and food of the community with the local annual events. Each summer, you can help celebrate the Kincardine Scottish Festival & Highland Games in July, and now the Marine Heritage Festival also features the Cardboard Boat Regatta and Race every August, as well as the annual Gathering of the Bands.
- A few events in Kincardine are held weekly throughout the summer, like the Cruise Nights (Friday) or Market in the Park (Monday).
- Kincardine is home to two great local beaches (Station and Iverhuron), where visitors get to relax in the sand or bright blue water, stroll trails and boardwalks, snorkel, play volleyball, or set up a picnic.
- Get kids excited about a trip to Family Funland, where they offer mini golf, go-karting, a driving range, and a concession.
- The best trails around Kincardine are right in town. Several creeks wind their way around town from Huron, with trails following most of the waters. Good starting points include Robinson Park, Geddes Park, or the Davidson Centre.
- After the trails, take to the nearby waters with local experts from Dwindle’s Dream Fishing Charters or Kincardine Boat Cruises.
Port Elgin
No matter the type of summer visit or vacation you’re planning, Port Elgin provides something for all interests. Get lazy on the beaches, stroll the trails, or follow the longer trails to other beachside towns. Level up the adventure with visits to the nearby parks, boat rentals, and boating on your own, or plan a Port Elgin vacation around summer events!
- MacGregor Point Provincial Park offers camping accommodations for anyone wanting to spend a few days exploring Port Elgin and is only a short drive south of town. The park provides 7 more kilometres of beach space along Lake Huron, wildlife viewing, hiking, and guided hiking. The park has dozens of summer wildlife workshops and programs, too.
- Port Elgin Main Beach, Gobles Grove, and Shipley Beach are the local Port Elgin beaches offering slightly different scenery. The Main Beach is long and sandy and the most popular. Gobles Grove is much quieter and secluded, with more grassy areas. Shipley Beach has an even mix of grass and sand, which is a mix between the other two!
- Find summer rentals for all the paddling fun from local companies like Thorncrest Outfitters, or feel free to bring your own boat!
- Port Elgin Farmers’ Market (June-September) or the Port Elgin Brews and Blues Fest (July) are two events that make planning a trip here easier. Plan around the local shopping opportunities or the chance for great live music.
- Miramichi Bay is about halfway between Port Elgin and Southampton. The Bay is accessible from Port Elgin by bike or hike and is one of the best spots in the area to watch the sunset.
- The main Highway 21, running through the centre of Port Elgin, is home to a wide variety of restaurants and takeout options. Support the local dining scene with stops at cafes, pizza spots, pubs, and fine dining restaurants.
- Come back in the fall to see giant pumpkins during Port Elgin Pumpkinfest.
Southampton
The communities of Port Elgin and Southampton are connected by trails and divided by the Miramichi and Horseshoe Bays. The Saugeen River, which runs east of Port Elgin, joins with Lake Huron at Southampton to the north.
All this shoreline, plus the historic streets and buildings, the lighthouses, and the lush greenery around town, all help to make Southampton one of the scenic stops along the Huron shoreline. The scenery and many family-friendly things to do around Southampton all make it a wonderful choice for a relaxing vacation or day trip.
- Southampton will celebrate all summer. Plan a trip with town events like Multicultural Day (June), Bruce County Comicon (July), or the Marine Heritage Festival (July).
- The same group that put on the Marine Heritage Festival also offer summer boat tours!
- Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre offer a variety of exhibits for all ages and is located on the small Fairy Lake with a looping trail around the shores.
- For some, a relaxing vacation may involve an easy-going bike ride. In Southampton, you’ll find the extensive paved Gore Drain pathway that can get you all the way to MacGregor Point Provincial Park.
- Enjoy the waters of Southampton with picnics or days spent at Chantry or Southampton Beaches. Southampton Beach is a short walk from many of Southampton’s local fast-food joints and restaurants. And right on Chantry Beach, you’ll find the reliable Gerry’s Fast Food.
Sauble Beach
As one of southern Ontario’s top beach vacation destinations, those beach activities are probably at the top of your list of things to do during a visit.
- The festivities you could plan a trip to Sauble Beach around include many near the water: come for the Summer Starts Here Festival (June), the Canada Day party, or the Sauble Beach Sandfest (August).
- Plus, almost any weekend in the summer will grant you access to free summer concerts in the square in Sauble Beach.
- Sauble Beach Park, at the end of Main Street, is the simplest way to access the expansive sandy beaches on this part of Huron. Along the beach are fast food restaurants and concessions, picnic areas, and many nearby restaurants.
- Sauble Falls Provincial Park, northeast of Sauble Beach, operates a beautiful campground with quick access to the waterfall, trails, and river fishing.
- Take on the adventure of Ascent Aerial Park, a clip-and-climb park with rock walls, rope bridges, obstacle courses, and more. Other kid and family attractions include the Putterama Mini Golf, or the Giggles Arcade, Sauble Speedway,
- Get accommodations or access to public watersport rentals from Sauble River Marina & Lodge Resort
Tobermory
The Bruce Peninsula is a beautiful place to explore, offers access to Manitoulin Island, and truly shows off the Blue Coast nickname. Tobermory, the ferry port town for Manitoulin Island, is the town on the tip of the Peninsula. These waters offer unique experiences for visitors, especially those who dive or snorkel, plus all the usual fun of Lake Huron’s beachside towns, including an incredible beach!
- Browse, peruse, and take a bit of time to appreciate all the great local artists and art of Tobermory. Blue Bay Jewellery & Lapidary, Golden Gallery, Margarethe Vanderpas, Paul Murray Gallery & Retreats are local places to visit on a Tobermory art tour.
- At the Fathom Five National Marine Park, visitors can take scuba diving tours, camp on Flowerpot Island, enjoy the trails, or relax at the beach. The cliffside views at the park include some of Lake Huron’s most incredible scenery. But, the biggest draw, especially for divers or snorkellers, are the shipwrecks scattered about the waters. This guide maps out the shipwreck sites, and their dive difficulty levels- the sites range from simple snorkelling to highly advanced or for advanced groups only.
- See the shipwrecks in a less adventurous but fun way with glass-bottom boat tours like Blue Heron Cruises.
- Bruce Peninsula National Park offers an array of outdoor experiences, from water activities to sightseeing, camping, forest hikes, and visiting the famous Grotto. The beach here is pebbly with some of the clearest water Canadians can swim in.
- Explore Greig`s Caves or the Little Cove Adventures Aerial Park for some thrills in the relaxing beach town! These local attractions both offer unique experiences perfect for families.
Manitoulin Island
Manitoulin Island is a BIG place. It is so big, in fact, that it is the largest freshwater island in the world! This north Huron island is accessible from Tobermory in the south by ferry or by car in the north from Highway. Summer events which take place across the entire Island include the local powwows with a full schedule set every summer. Below are some highlights of Manitoulin’s large communities and parks!
Manitowaning area (east):
- The Burns Wharf Players provide great local theatre for visitors and community members, with a new show every season.
- There are several places to stay as the community is located between two large lakes.
Kagawong Area (central):
- The Kawagong Beach is in the heart of the community, with another beach only 2km away from Kawagong.
- The town’s Billings Connection Trail is a great way to learn about the area through public art and interpretive signage along the path. The hike down to Bridal Veil Falls, or the Cup and Saucer Trail are other nearby trails- both with their own incredible picturesque beauty.
- Misery Bay Provincial Nature Reserve provides access to the scenic Lake Huron Coastline with over 15 km of hiking trails.
- The Lake Wolsey Nature Preserve boasts a scenic 2 km trail along an escarpment with views of Stone Lake and Stone Creek, which meanders through wetlands to Lake Wolsey. The area is renowned for its wildlife, including eagle sightings and seasonal fish runs, complemented by a serene sandy beach.
Gore Bay Area (north):
- As one of the more populous parts of Manitoulin, the Gore Bay township offers many services and amenities. It is an excellent hiking destination on Manitoulin as well, with the Noble Nature Trails that take you to the East Bluff lookout.
- Take time to explore the local shopping in Gore Bay.
Providence Bay area (south)
- Providence Bay Beach is in the south Manitoulin community of the same name, and to the west of the ferry terminal. The beautiful sandy beach is accessible from town and all of the town’s hotels or lodges by a boardwalk trail.
- To the west of Providence Bay and Michael’s Bay is the Manitoulin Eco Park where you an camp in a tipi, tent, or RV. The park is a dark sky preserve and host dark sky-watching events.
- Continue west on the southern shores of the Island to hit Misery Bay Provincial Nature Reserve. The day-use park offers more sandy beach space.
St. Joseph Island
This smaller island is about as far west on Lake Huron as you can get. St. Joseph Island sits next to the channel that separates Huron from Lake Superior, with one of the closest mainland centres being Sault St. Marie. Access St. Joseph from the north with a vehicle and the Bernt Gilbertson Bridge (Highway 548).
The island is small enough that a scenic drive around all of St. Joseph is easily done within a day, with about a 20-minute drive taking you end-to-end. A scenic drive around the Island is a great way to explore the historic sites, old lighthouses, and views of the channel or the lake.
- Hilton Beach, on the north side of St. Joseph, is a popular beach destination in the summer. The large marina welcomes visitors by boat, the town plays host to events like Arts at the Dock, or the annual Car show, and the city is fun to explore by foot. You’ll find several unique places to eat and shop!
- Richard’s Landing, another more populated community on St. Joseph, is abuzz each summer with their annual events like the Go North Music Festival or the Just Passin’ Through Concert Series. There is a sandy beach to the west of town
- St. Joseph’s Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary, on the far south side of St. Joseph, is a unique site in that it is an important conservation location and a National Historic Site. The Fort St. Joseph is open in the summers for tours and programs, and the guides can direct you to the best birdwatching spots.
