Looking for one of the best beaches in Ontario to go to this summer? Whether you’re craving soft white sand, warm waters, or a family-friendly escape just a number of hours from Toronto, this updated 2025 guide has you covered. We’ve traveled the province to search out the highest spots for relaxing, swimming, or snapping that perfect lakeside sunset. So grab your towel—Ontario’s beaches are higher than ever.
Best Beaches in Ontario in 2025
1. Wasaga Beach – Georgian Bay
We’ve been coming to Wasaga Beach since childhood, and it still delivers. Stretching over 14 kilometres, it’s recognized because the world’s longest freshwater beach and offers every part from energetic boardwalk spots to quieter, family-friendly sections. The shoreline is broken into eight beach areas—Beach 1 is where the motion is, with shops, food stalls, and a younger crowd, while areas like 3 to six are inclined to be calmer. The shallow water and gradual slope make it great for wading, especially with kids in tow. For a change of pace, the adjoining provincial park has forest trails, birdwatching, and picnic areas shaded by towering trees.
This classic Lake Huron destination also offers easy accessibility to water sports like paddleboarding and jet skiing. It’s a beach where you possibly can pack a beach chair, sit back, and make a full day of it. This is why it’s our pick for the highest beaches in Ontario.
Good to know: Summer weekends bring big crowds. Arrive early to get parking near your selected beach area, and check the Ontario Parks website for water quality updates.
2. Grand Bend Beach – Lake Huron
Grand Bend looks like a second home to me. My parents had a cottage there, so I spent countless summers on this beach—swimming, sunbathing, and watching those signature Lake Huron sunsets. It was at all times considered one of Ontario’s original beach towns. Back in highschool and college, road trips to Grand Bend were a rite of passage. And for one summer, I even performed on the Huron Country Playhouse, just a brief drive away.
The beach itself has crystal clear waters, is wide and well-maintained, with soft sand, a chosen swimming area, and seasonal lifeguards on duty every day. There’s a protracted boardwalk and a close-by pier, and Main Street is just steps away, full of shops, patios, and all of the ice cream you possibly can want after a day within the sun. It still strikes that balance between family-friendly and fun-loving.
Good to know: Parking is offered but fills up quickly on sunny weekends. Stick around into the evening—Grand Bend’s bar scene and live music spots keep things energetic long after sunset.
3. Port Stanley Beach – Lake Erie
Port Stanley has personal roots for me—my sister lived there all her life, so I’ve seen the town evolve firsthand. What was once a quiet fishing village has grown into considered one of Ontario’s go-to summer spots, without losing its small-town charm. The major beach is wide, sandy, and gently sloped, which makes it ideal for families and casual swimmers. The warm water here is a nice surprise for Great Lakes beaches.
Downtown Port Stanley is just a brief walk away and full of cafes, boutiques, and fish-and-chips joints that make the entire experience feel like a correct holiday. The beach area features a playground, changing facilities, and shaded rest spots.
Good to know: Lifeguards are on duty during summer, and the beach has accessible washrooms. Paid parking is offered near the shore, but weekend mornings can get busy.
4. Sauble Beach – Lake Huron
We rolled into Sauble Beach one Friday afternoon and immediately understood why it’s such a summer magnet. The 11-kilometre shoreline has room for almost every part—sunbathing, paddleboarding, kayaking, or grabbing ice cream between swims.
The town itself looks like a classic Ontario beach community, with burger joints, ice cream stands, and boardwalk strolls at sunset. The beach is shallow for a protracted stretch, making it ideal for families and relaxed swims, while more lively visitors can rent paddleboards or jet skis right off the shore. Sauble Beach can be one of the vital well-known beaches in Ontario for giant groups planning weekend getaways.
Good to know: While access is free, parking fills up fast on weekends and holidays. Bring change or use the mobile app for meters.
5. Sandbanks Provincial Park – Prince Edward County
Some beaches are best for a day trip—Sandbanks is one you’ll need to settle into. Located in Prince Edward County, the park is understood for its striking sand dunes and long, sandy stretches that feel almost misplaced in Ontario. It’s divided into three major beaches—Outlet Beach, Dunes Beach, and Lakeshore Beach—each with its own vibe. Outlet is probably the most family-friendly with gentle waters; Dunes feels more distant, tucked behind a rolling landscape; and Lakeshore is a solid middle ground. Add in well-kept campgrounds, hiking trails, and nearby wineries, and it’s no surprise this place books out fast.
Whether you’re into swimming, hiking, or simply lounging on the white sand with a chilly drink, Sandbanks is an awesome spot to experience the range of Ontario’s beaches.
Good to know: Reserve ahead, especially in July and August. Day-use permits often sell out by mid-morning.
6. Cobourg Beach – Lake Ontario
Cobourg Beach at all times surprises individuals who think Lake Ontario can’t deliver a correct beach experience. This one proves them flawed. Located just over an hour east of Toronto, Cobourg’s Victoria Park Beach is wide, sandy, and well-maintained, with a laid-back vibe that attracts each locals and visitors throughout the summer.
The nearby park is good for families, complete with a playground and lots of space for picnics. The sand is soft, the water is crystal clear, and the setting is postcard perfect.
Good to know: Lifeguards are on duty during summer. Parking is metered and may replenish fast on weekends. Cobourg also hosts events just like the Sandcastle Festival, which is value timing your visit around.
7. Agawa Bay – Lake Superior
Agawa Bay sits inside Lake Superior Provincial Park and looks like a real escape into the wild. This beach isn’t nearly sun and sand—it’s where dramatic landscapes meet cultural history. The shoreline is framed by boreal forest and rocky cliffs, with a protracted, curved bay that provides space for each rest and reflection.
The water’s cold, the beach is more pebbly than soft, and the scenery is unforgettable. A brief drive away, the Agawa Rock Pictographs trail results in ancient Ojibwe rock art that adheres to the cliff face. It’s a robust experience, and one which sticks with you long after you’ve left.
Good to know: The beach itself is pebbly, not sandy, so water shoes help. Campsites are right by the lake, but this can be a distant park—refill before you arrive.
8. Awenda Provincial Park – Georgian Bay
Awenda isn’t considered one of the big-name beaches in Ontario, and that’s exactly why we prefer it. Tucked away near Penetanguishene, this park is quieter than spots like Wasaga or Sandbanks but still offers beautiful shoreline access to Georgian Bay. There are several smaller beaches throughout the park, each a brief hike or bike ride from the campgrounds. The major beach area is sandy with shallow water, perfect for wading, swimming, or paddleboarding.
We’ve visited a number of times, and it at all times feels more secluded than the larger parks. Surrounded by forest and inland lakes, the world is peaceful and shaded by towering trees. Don’t expect a boardwalk or food stands—that is more of a back-to-nature sort of beach trip.
Good to know: Amenities are minimal, so bring every part you would like for the day. Parking is restricted, and plenty of beach areas require a brief walk from the lot. Good walking shoes help.
9. Killbear Provincial Park – Georgian Bay
Killbear is considered one of those provincial parks that manages to balance every part—great beaches, scenic hiking, and an actual sense of wilderness. Located on the eastern fringe of Georgian Bay near Parry Sound, it’s made up of several rocky points and sandy bays, giving visitors a mixture of beach options depending on what sort of day they’re after.
The water is classic Georgian Bay—clear, cool, and incredibly clean. Kids can splash within the shallows while adults paddle out or sunbathe on the rocks. And the sunsets from Killbear Point? Easily a few of one of the best within the province.
Good to know: There are several campgrounds throughout the park, each with different beach access. The terrain could be uneven in places, so water shoes and decent walking footwear turn out to be useful. Watch out for poison ivy—it’s common on this area.
10. Turkey Point Beach – Lake Erie
Turkey Point won’t get the identical highlight as Grand Bend or Wasaga, but it surely’s at all times felt like a little bit of a hidden gem to us. The beach is shallow, sandy, and family-friendly, set along a peaceful stretch of Lake Erie that’s perfect for swimming, paddleboarding, or simply floating. It’s especially popular with big groups searching for a laid-back day on the coast.
The nearby provincial park offers trails through the woods, and the world also features a marina and zip-lining course for more adventurous visitors.
Good to know: There’s paid parking near the beach and a number of restaurants and convenience spots nearby. The beach is dog-friendly in some areas, but rules vary by season, so check ahead.
11. Bon Echo Provincial Park – Mazinaw Lake
Bon Echo is best known for Mazinaw Rock, a towering cliff that rises 100 metres straight out of the lake, but it surely also has a solid beach that’s value your time. The major swimming area is situated near the park’s South Beach, where a stretch of sandy shoreline opens onto the deep, clear waters of Mazinaw Lake. It’s not a sprawling beach, but it surely’s peaceful, with loads of space to swim and paddle.
Paddling across the lake to see the Indigenous pictographs painted on the rock face is one of the vital memorable things you possibly can do within the park. It’s a quiet sort of awe that sneaks up on you.
Good to know: South Beach has washrooms, shaded picnic tables, and a mild slope into the water. The lake gets deep quickly, so strong swimmers will get more out of it than waders.
12. Crystal Beach – Lake Erie
Crystal Beach has passed through quite a change over time. Once home to a famous amusement park, it’s now a well-kept beach town with a clean, soft-sand shoreline that attracts families, day-trippers, and anyone searching for a quieter Lake Erie alternative. The water is shallow and surprisingly warm by Ontario standards, making it considered one of the more swimmable beaches on the Great Lakes.
You’ll discover a small but vibrant local scene here—ice cream shops, a number of restaurants, and seasonal events that give it a little bit of a throwback charm. The beach has been cleaned up quite a bit lately, and now there’s an entrance fee that helps maintain facilities, which include washrooms, change rooms, and lifeguards in season. It’s an awesome spot to bring a beach chair and spend your complete day absorbing the sun.
Good to know: Access is controlled during summer months and every day passes can sell out. Book online in case you’re occurring a weekend.
13. Hanlan’s Point Beach – Toronto Islands
Hanlan’s Point is different from every other beach on this list—and never simply because it’s clothing-optional. Located on the Toronto Islands, this beach has long been a component of town’s alternative and LGBTQ+ culture. It’s relaxed, open-minded, and a complete lot quieter than the mainland scene at Woodbine Beach or Sugar Beach.
The beach itself is long, with a mixture of sandy and grassy areas, and the water is surprisingly clean for something so near downtown. On hot days, you’ll get a mixture of sunbathers, swimmers, and ferry-goers who’ve made the trip for a change of pace. You don’t need to use the clothing-optional side, but it surely’s an enormous a part of what gives Hanlan’s its unique, inclusive atmosphere. If you’ve got time, a visit to the nearby Gibraltar Point Lighthouse adds a little bit of history to your beach day.
Good to know: The ferry ride from downtown Toronto takes about quarter-hour. Bring your individual snacks and drinks—services on the island are limited and spaced out.
14. Centre Island Beach – Toronto Islands
We lived in Toronto for years, and Centre Island Beach was at all times our go-to when we wanted a fast break from town. It’s also where we had considered one of our first dates back in 1991—we had a tremendous picnic watching the sailboats drift by. The beach hasn’t modified much since then, and that’s a part of the charm.
Just a brief ferry ride from downtown, Centre Island Beach offers a clean, quiet stretch of sand with calm water, seasonal lifeguards, and a family-friendly atmosphere. It’s a rare sort of place where you possibly can swim, rent a motorbike, grab a snack, and still feel such as you’re removed from town.
Centreville Amusement Park is close by, and the island’s paths are perfect for aimless wandering. Whether you’re here for a number of hours or the entire day, it’s a simple, refreshing escape.
Good to know: The ferry gets busy on weekends—book ahead in case you can. There are washrooms and food stands near the beach, but bringing your individual snacks never hurts.
Compare the Best Beaches in Ontario
| Beach | Closest City | Good For | Water Temp (avg) | Parking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wasaga Beach | Collingwood | Families, sandbars | 22°C | Paid |
| Sandbanks | Picton | Camping, sand dunes | 23°C | Free + Paid |
| Grand Bend | London | Swimming, sunsets | 24°C | Paid |
| Port Stanley | St. Thomas | Boardwalk vibe, families | 22°C | Free |
FAQs About Beaches in Ontario (2025)
Grand Bend Beach and Port Dover are known for his or her warm, shallow waters, perfect for swimming through the hot summer months.
Wasaga Beach, Sandbanks, and Port Stanley all offer shallow waters, restrooms, and nearby ice cream—key for a kid-friendly time out.
Yes! Head to Bluffers Park Beach or Woodbine Beach for a fast city escape. They’re each just a brief drive or transit ride away.
Yes, but you’ll want to check water quality advisories, especially in city areas like Toronto. Beaches like Cherry and Woodbine normally have good conditions in summer.
As you possibly can see, Ontario is de facto blessed with beaches. The province is exclusive for beach lovers since it has predominantly freshwater beaches. The pristine nature gives option to beaches that might truthfully rival Caribbean destinations.
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