If you’re under the impression that Toronto is all about towering skyscrapers, bustling streets, and icy hockey rinks – well, let’s get you up to speed, shall we? The 6ix is studded with a stunning array of sandy beaches.
Toronto’s beaches are worth checking out, and that’s why we’ve compiled them to make it easy for you to choose! So read on, and let’s dive (pun intended) into the top beaches you must visit because if there ever was a list to “save for a sunny day,” this one is it!
Hanlan’s Point Beach
Website: https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-gardens-beaches/beaches/
Address: Lakeshore Ave, Toronto, ON M5J 2W2, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-392-8196
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Price: No admission fee
Hanlan’s Point Beach is one of our city’s most unique spots and a killer adventure for the open-hearted. Here, you’ve got the option to go fully clothed or not since it features a clothing-optional section where you can bare it all and bathe under the sun au naturel.
But don’t worry if that’s not your style; there’s plenty of dressed-up beach territory, too. Moreover, this place is a great spot to catch some exceptional views of the city skyline, and it’s also close to Billy Bishop Airport, so it’s a scenic spot to watch some planes.
Pro tip: Make sure you take the ferry from downtown Toronto to get here, ’cause, on a sunny day, the boat journey is quite a treat in itself. Also, don’t forget to pack bites since there are plenty of picnic tables in the area. |
Cherry Beach
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Website: https://www.toronto.ca/data/parks/prd/facilities/complex/209/index.html
Address: 275 Unwin Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5H 2N2 Canada
Contact details: N/A
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Price: No admission fee
Cherry Beach is steeped in Toronto’s history, and you can feel the old city vibes as you hang by its sunny shores. Its relaxed atmosphere is perfectly contrasted by the energy of kiteboarders and paddlers, regular fixtures in its waters, especially on breezier days.
What’s more, Cherry Beach is adjoined by Cherry Beach Clarke Beach Park, home to beautiful hiking and biking trails. And I can’t forget to mention the dog park here, so don’t forget to bring your four-legged friends along for some romping good times.
Pro tip: Remember to check out the Cherry Beach lifeguard station to catch some live band performances during the summer! |
Woodbine Beach
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Website: https://www.toronto.ca/data/parks/prd/facilities/complex/311/index.html
Address: 1675 Lake Shore Blvd E, Toronto, ON M4L 3W6, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-338-4386
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Price: No admission fee
Woodbine Beach is arguably the city’s most iconic beach, always brimming with life and laughter. With its endless sandy stretches, recreational spaces, and an Olympic-sized swimming pool, it’s like a mini-vacation right here in Midtown.
The boardwalk is a favourite spot for joggers and rollerbladers, and the beach volleyball scene is top-notch—think sun, sand, and serve! The nearby Greek Town also offers delicious food options once you’ve worked up an appetite with all that beach fun.
Pro tip: Parking can sometimes be a challenge, especially during peak times. Opt for public transit if possible. |
Sugar Beach
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Website: https://www.toronto.ca/data/parks/prd/facilities/complex/2261/index.html
Address: 11 Dockside Dr, Toronto, ON M5A 1B6, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-338-4386
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 8 AM to 11 PM
Price: No admission fee
Sugar Beach is cute, and it’s oh-so-Insta-worthy since it’s known for its signature pink umbrellas and sugar-white sands. This urban beach is a bit unconventional, without direct water access; instead, it offers a whimsical park-like atmosphere.
Located across from the Redpath Sugar Refinery, it’s a prime location to relax and watch the boats go by. Just keep an eye out for free movie screenings and local performances that happen throughout the summer.
Pro tip: There aren’t any food establishments directly on the beach, so picnic packing is your best bet here. |
Bluffer’s Park Beach
Website: https://www.toronto.ca/data/parks/prd/facilities/complex/2/index.html
Address: 1 Brimley Rd., Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario M1M 3W3, Canada
Contact details: N/A
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Price: No admission fee
Bluffer’s Park Beach is located at the foot of majestic, towering cliffs—sounds exotic, eh? The Scarborough Bluffs stretch across 14 kilometres along the Lake Ontario shore, and right at their base sits this gorgeous beach.
If you’re into boating, you’re in luck because right near the beach is a full-service public marina. And, when hunger strikes, the Bluffers Park Restaurant offers a hearty meal with a phenomenal view.
Pro tip: This beach gets crowded quickly on weekends, so aim for an early-morning visit if you prefer quieter times. And remember, pack out what you pack in to help keep this piece of paradise pristine. |
Kew-Balmy Beach
– Media credit: gingerpatti
Website: https://www.toronto.ca/data/parks/prd/facilities/complex/427/index.html
Address: 1 Beech Ave., Toronto, Ontario ON M4E Canada
Contact details: N/A
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Price: No admission fee
Just east of Woodbine begins a paradise known as Kew-Balmy Beach, where both R & R (rest and recreation) take on a new meaning. If you’re seeking a mellow escape without leaving the east end, this spread of sand is your ticket.
Beyond its clean and sandy coastline, Kew-Balmy is home to the R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant that you should see. Adding to the charm, the adjoining Kew Gardens hosts a variety of outdoor events in the summer, including art and music festivals.
Pro tip: Kew-Balmy is great for dog owners as it has a substantial off-leash area where your furry friends can romp around in the sand. |
Rouge Beach
– Media credit: wendy.harrington.520
Website: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/on/rouge/visit/directions/beach
Address: 195 Rouge Hills Dr., Toronto, Ontario, M1C 2Y9
Contact details: +1 416-264-2020
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Price: No admission fee
Located at the edge of Rouge National Urban Park, Rouge Beach paints a picture of natural splendour where the river meets the lake. This is the spot for wildlife lovers; it’s not rare to spot various birds, frogs, and sometimes even deer!
If you’re into watersports, the calm waterspace provides ample opportunity for canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. And when your stomach growls, there’s a campground nearby with picnic areas for that well-earned feast.
Pro tip: Be sure to check water quality reports during the summer months. Due to its proximity to the river, water conditions can vary. |
Ward’s Island Beach
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Website: http://www.toronto.ca/parks/island/wards-island.htm
Address: Ward’s Island Beach, Toronto, ON, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-338-4386
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Price: No admission fee
If an island escape is your idea of the perfect beach day, let’s sail to Ward’s Island Beach. This beach is loved for its secluded, peaceful vibe with glittering waters, fine sand, and a sense of tranquillity.
And when hunger hits, the Island Café provides a variety of food and drinks. Now, aside from being a top-notch bathing spot, Ward’s Island also offers quirky residential neighbourhoods, enchanting gardens, and pretty boardwalks to explore.
Pro tip: Make sure to check the ferry schedule before heading out to avoid missing the last boat! |
Sunnyside Beach
– Media credit: jforestwood
Website: N/A
Address: 1601 Lakeshore Blvd W., Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Contact details: N/A
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Price: No admission fee
For a beach with both a rich history and a view of the city skyline, Sunnyside Beach is your best bet. It was once home to a popular amusement park, and the Sunnyside Bathing Pavilion still harks back to those good old days with its vintage charm.
This urban coastline is often bustling with locals enjoying recreational activities. With canoe rentals and biking trails, Sunnyside promises a day of fun in the sun.
Pro tip: This beach is super accessible via public transit, so leave your car at home and take the subway or streetcar instead! And don’t forget to pop over to the Sunnyside Café for a delightful beachside meal. |
Centre Island Beach
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Website: https://www.torontoisland.com/beach.php
Address: Centre Island Beach, Toronto, ON M5J, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-203-0405
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Price: No admission fee
Centre Island Beach is smack-dab in the middle of the Toronto Islands and serves up an experience filled with sun-kissed relaxation and diverse attractions.
Beyond the beach, there’s much fun to be had, from peddling around in a quadricycle to wading through the Franklin Children’s Garden or spelunking in the William Meany Maze. It’s a beach day and a fun day fused into one!
Pro tip: After exploring, you can satisfy your hunger by stopping at one of the several food outlets around the island. |
Marie Curtis Park East Beach
– Media credit: mschrissy55
Website: https://www.toronto.ca/data/parks/prd/facilities/complex/6/index.html
Address: 2 Forty Second St, Toronto, Ontario M8W 3P2 Canada
Contact details: +1 416-338-4386
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Price: No admission fee
Marie Curtis Park East Beach is known for its family-friendly vibes and a quiet, sandy beach that’s a treat to unwind on. The beach is just one part of the larger Marie Curtis Park, named in honour of a local alderwoman.
The park has tons of green space, picnic areas, a dog off-leash area, and even a splash pad for the little ones. The best part is that the Long Branch Loop at the park’s edge links you to Toronto’s super-efficient streetcar grid.
Pro tip: If you’re into fishing, the park has a designated area for casting a line. Do remember to bring your fishing gear. |
Gibraltar Point Beach
Website: https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-gardens-beaches/beaches/
Address: Gibraltar Point Beach, Toronto, ON, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-338-4386
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Price: No admission fee
Gibraltar Point Beach will enchant you with its quieter, more serene atmosphere. It’s part of the larger Gibraltar Point area known for its pretty lighthouse—one of Toronto’s oldest structures—and, more importantly, spectacular sunset views over Lake Ontario.
Beyond simply lounging, the Gibraltar Point area has sweet cycling paths and dunes waiting to be explored. A local artist-run centre, the Gibraltar Point Centre for the Arts, adds a dash of creativity to the mix.
Pro tip: This place gets less crowded than other beaches on the Toronto Islands, which makes it a prime location for some much-needed tranquillity amid summer chaos. |
Silver Birch Beach
– Media credit: the.pug.twins
Website: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1724076384511701
Address: Toronto, ON M4E 3R8, Canada
Contact details: N/A
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Price: No admission fee
Silver Birch Beach is a secret treasured by locals in the Beaches neighbourhood. It’s smaller, less crowded, and impossibly charming, with stretches of soft sand, clear waters, and large silver birch trees that lend the beach its name.
The adjacent R.C. The Harris Water Treatment Plant adds a unique industrial backdrop to this otherwise idyllic beach. With the Leuty Lifeguard Station and Kew Gardens close by, there’s no shortage of things to see and do around this beach.
Pro tip: Finding parking can be a bit of a challenge on busy days, so plan to come early or consider public transit. After all, it’s just a short walk from Queen Street East. |