Immerse yourself in nature like never before by going on a paddleboarding adventure!
Paddleboarding is kind of like surfing; the only difference is that you’re not really riding the waves with paddleboarding. Instead, you’re propelling yourself using a paddle while kneeling or standing on a surfboard.
If you’re interested in trying it out, this article lists some of the best spots for paddleboarding near Toronto, so prepare your boards and your swim gear and check them out in your spare time.
Tommy Thompson Park
– From aki_s_place
Address: 1 Leslie St, Toronto, ON M4M 3M2, Canada
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—4 to 9 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—5:30 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +14166616600
Located near downtown Toronto, Tommy Thompson Park is the epitome of urban wilderness. It’s particularly noted among avian enthusiasts because the park has 300 recorded species, making it a perfect spot for watching birds.
That said, Tommy Thompson Park also works well as a paddleboarding spot. It has a peninsula that’s partly shielded from the wind, allowing you to ride your paddleboard in peace and see all the birds that fly by.
However, you need to keep in mind that though the peninsula is pretty sheltered, it can still get windy, which makes the water choppy. So, be sure to check the weather conditions before your scheduled paddleboarding session.
Pro Tip: Tommy Thompson Park is also popular among swimmers, windsurfers, and boaters. Sometimes, there are even sailing classes and races here. The peninsula offers a lot of room for everyone, but all the same, watch out for them to avoid possible accidents. |
Toronto Islands
– From: torontoislandsup
Address: St Lawrence-East Bayfront-The Islands, ON, Canada
If you don’t want to travel far to go paddleboarding, you’re in luck because Toronto has the Toronto Islands. These are islands just located across from the city’s mainland, and they have all kinds of recreational landmarks, such as beaches and a theme park.
The waterways in the Toronto Islands are pretty calm, so you’ll have an easy time navigating while riding your paddleboard. While doing so, be sure to enjoy the scenery; the Toronto skyline, in particular, is clear from this location!
That said, there’s a bit of traffic here since ferries, sailboats, and yachts pass by all the time. So, be mindful of them to avoid getting into an accident.
Pro Tip: Aside from paddleboarding, you can also enjoy hiking and riding exciting rides in the amusement park (Centreville Amusement Park). |
Cherry Beach
– From: the_miss_s
Address: 1 Cherry St, Toronto, ON M5A 0B7, Canada
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—5 am to 11 pm
Contact Number: +14163384386
Cherry Beach, originally known as Clarke Beach Park, was once part of the Toronto Islands before 1852. It’s definitely close enough to the islands that if you start paddleboarding from there, you can make your way here.
The beach is located along Toronto’s outer harbor and east of the Eastern Gap, so you have a lot of space. However, the waters in the harbor can get choppy, and there’s a lot of traffic in the Eastern Gap, so only experienced paddlers are recommended here.
That said, there’s a Toronto SUP and Kayak branch in Cherry Beach, so if you’re a beginner, you can take lessons here. Just make sure not to venture too far into the water.
Pro Tip: Cherry Beach can get crowded during the weekends, so if you want to avoid people and enjoy a quiet time paddleboarding, you might want to come here on a weekday. |
Woodbine Beach Park
– From: ipaddleadventures
Address: 1675 Lake Shore Blvd E, Toronto, ON M4L 3W6, Canada
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Located right next to Ashbridges Bay and along Lake Shore Boulevard, Woodbine Beach Park is one of the largest beaches in Toronto. It has a total area of 15.2 hectares!
Woodbine Beach is also noted for its clean waters, so you’ll feel safe swimming here. There’s also not much seaweed, so you don’t have to worry about any obstacles when paddleboarding.
If you don’t have your own paddleboard or you’re willing to start learning, there’s an iPaddle Adventures kiosk on the beach. You can rent gear or book some classes there.
Pro Tip: The water temperature in Woodbine Beach can be very unpredictable; sometimes, it can get too cold. So, you should check the weather advisory update before you go out to paddleboard. |
Kew Balmy Beach
– From: supgirlzto
Address: Lee Ave Silver Birch Ave, Toronto, ON M4E Canada
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—9 am to 8 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—7 am to 8 pm
Kew Balmy Beach is Woodbine Beach Park’s underrated sibling. It only has a 1.2 km stretch of beach, making it smaller as well, but don’t let the size fool you; this beach is very much worth checking out.
Since Kew Balmy Beach is not as popular as its neighbor, you can enjoy a peaceful paddleboarding experience. Another great feature of this beach is that there are break walls, so if you’re a beginner, you’ll find it easy to practice your skills here.
It’s also recommended to stay close to shore, especially if you’re new to paddleboarding. The weather might change suddenly, and you might struggle in controlling your board, which might lead to accidents.
Pro Tip: If possible, you might want to come to this beach at dawn. That way, you can enjoy the sunrise while paddleboarding; the sight of the sunlight reflecting on the water is a thing of beauty! |
Balmy Beach Park
– From: erwinbuck
Address: 1 Beech Ave, Toronto, ON M4E 3H3, Canada
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Contact Number: +14163384386
Balmy Beach Park is located right next to Kew Balmy Beach, so you can also choose to launch your paddleboard here.
The great thing about this beach is that it also boasts a gorgeous waterfront view. If you’re coming here at dawn, you might even come across the sunrise while you’re out paddling, which is so beautiful to look at.
Additionally, the beach is just clean and well-maintained. There’s also a green lawn where you can lie down and rest after paddleboarding for quite some time.
Pro Tip: The parking space is quite limited here, so you might want to come here as early as possible. It’s also better if you visit on a weekday because the beach gets crowded during the weekends. |
Marilyn Bell Park
– From: elen_elena
Address: 1095 Lake Shore Blvd W, Toronto, ON M6K 2R5, Canada
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Contact Number: +14163922489
Marilyn Bell Park is named after the first person who ever swam across Lake Ontario, so understandably, this park is popular among swimmers. But this is also a perfect spot for paddleboarding, so check it out when you can.
Just like Kew Balmy Beach, there’s a break wall in the waters of the park, so the area is relatively still. For this reason, it’s an amazing spot for beginner paddleboarders; you can even practice race sprints here.
Marilyn Bell Park also hosts boating and paddleboard racing competitions every year, usually in the summer. Attend if you can; they’re so fun to watch!
Pro Tip: Watch out for swimmers and boaters here because they also love coming to this park. |
Ontario Place
Address: 955 Lake Shore Blvd W, Toronto, ON M6K 3B9, Canada
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—6 am to 11 pm
Contact Number: +14163149900
Ontario Place is an entertainment venue where people go to enjoy live concerts and other kinds of fun activities. But since it’s located on the three artificial islands in Lake Ontario, paddleboarding is another fun thing you can do here.
To be more specific, Ontario Place is a great destination if you’re paddleboarding in Marilyn Bell Park, and you want to challenge yourself. Ontario Place is only 3 km away from Marilyn Bell Park, which isn’t that far away if you’re an experienced paddleboarder.
Once you reach Ontario Place, you’ll probably be tired after a long time of standing and paddling, but it’s so worth it. Now, you can brag about it to your friends!
Pro Tip: Beware of the boats and other water vessels when paddleboarding to Ontario Place. It’s also better if you paddle with a buddy just to be safe. |
Scarborough Bluffs
– From: unshakeable.me
Address: 1 Brimley Rd. S, Bluffers Pk Rd, Scarborough, ON, Canada
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—5 am to 7 pm
Contact Number: +14163380889
The Scarborough Bluffs stretch for about 15 km along the shore of Lake Ontario, and they’re widely noted for being a significant geological landmark; they were a result of sedimentary deposits over 12,000 years ago!
But aside from being a geological feature, the Scarborough Bluffs are a perfect site for paddleboarding. The waters of Lake Ontario here are calm, and at times, they even look glassy; plus, the view of the bluffs from the water is so breathtaking.
There are eleven parks along the Scarborough Bluffs, but only Bluffer’s Park allows swimming and other water sports activities, so you should head there.
Pro Tip: While the view of the bluffs is beautiful, do keep a safe distance from them for your own safety. It’s because they’re unstable due to erosion and water damage. |
Sunnyside Park and Humber Bay Arch Bridge
– From: jerry.trt
Address: 2001 Lake Shore Blvd W, Toronto, ON M6K 1L4, Canada
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Contact Number: +14163922489
Sunnyside Park was once home to Sunnyside Amusement Park, but now, it’s a popular choice for families who want to enjoy a picnic on the beach. It also attracts people who are into water sports, including paddleboarders.
The waters of the beach are relatively calm, so you can paddle aimlessly in whichever direction you please. But you might want to go in the direction of the Humber Bay Arch Bridge; it’s near the beach, and it’s quite a sight to behold from the water’s perspective.
If you’re up for even more challenge, you can paddle up the Humber River but do be careful. Don’t forget to check the water levels and conditions before going this route.
Pro Tip: The Humber River is thriving in wildlife, so be on the lookout for birds and other aquatic animals when you’re paddleboarding. |
Rockwood Conservation Area
– From: hamishhuntersr
Address: 161 Fall St S, Guelph/Eramosa, ON N0B 2K0, Canada
Distance from TO: Around 1 hour
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—8 am to 5:30 pm
Contact Number: +15198569543
If you’re looking for a wonderful paddleboarding spot that isn’t in Toronto but still near the city, you might want to consider Rockwood Conservation Area. It’s located in Guelph, which is only an hour’s drive from Toronto.
This conservation area is practically heaven on earth. It’s characterized by towering limestone cliffs, caves, and glacial potholes, so you can expect that in every corner you paddle into, you’ll find something beautiful to see and admire.
If you’re up for even more of a challenge, you might want to paddle along the narrow channels of Rockwood Reservoir. Just remember to be careful when doing so because the shores are rocky.
Pro Tip: The conservation area offers a bit of shelter, but strong winds can blow from the north or south, making the waters choppy. You might want to check the weather update before you go paddleboarding. |
Young’s Harbor Park
– From: whippermedia
Address: 601 Lake Dr S, Keswick, ON L4P 1T3, Canada
Distance from TO: Around 50 minutes
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—7 am to 7 pm
Contact Number: +19054764301
Young’s Harbor Park is another great paddleboarding spot that’s only an hour away from Toronto. You have the entire Cook’s Bay at your disposal; this bay is pretty spacious, and the waters are pretty chill, so you can enjoy a peaceful time paddling.
But if you want even more of a challenge, you can go up north until the bay opens up to Lake Simcoe, Ontario’s fourth-largest lake. Because of its size, you’re rarely going to bump into another person, so the experience of paddling here is even more serene.
Pro Tip: Aside from paddleboarding, you might want to try fishing here because Lake Simcoe is home to a great variety of fish species. |
Niagara Falls
– From: paddleniagara
Address: 332 Prospect St, Niagara Falls, NY 14303, United States
Distance from TO: Around 1.25 hours (Niagara Falls), around 1.5 hours (Niagara-on-the-Lake)
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Contact Number: +17162781794
Niagara Falls is one of the most popular natural sites in the world; countless tourists come here just to enjoy the sight of the majestical waterfalls. But did you know that it’s possible to go paddleboarding here?
Well, you’re not exactly paddleboarding anywhere near the waterfalls, but you can explore the Niagara River. The best part about this is that the river separates Canada from the U.S., so you can get a glimpse of both countries as you’re paddleboarding.
The best starting point for your adventure on the Niagara River is Niagara Falls, the city located on the river’s western shores and overlooking one of the waterfalls. But you can also head to Niagara-on-the-Lake, a town at the mouth of the river and Lake Ontario.
Pro Tip: The currents of the Niagara River can get turbulent and choppy. For your safety, only paddleboard here if you’re experienced enough; also, bring a companion just to be safe. |