Beaches · Toronto · Canada
The best beaches in and near Toronto
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Canmenwalker, CC BY 4.0
Quick answer
The best-known beach is Woodbine Beach (About 8 km east of downtown).
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 6
The beaches
About 8 km east of downtown · Families and volleyball
1.Woodbine Beach
A wide, sandy Lake Ontario beach in The Beaches with volleyball courts and a boardwalk; the city tests the water in summer and posts swimming advisories after heavy rain.
About 15 minutes by ferry · Families with young children
2.Centre Island Beach
A sheltered sandy beach on the islands near Centreville, with lifeguards in the summer season.
About 10 minutes by ferry · Quiet swims
3.Ward's Island Beach
A quieter island beach at the eastern end, beside a small residential community and the boardwalk.
About 15 minutes by ferry · Sunsets and dunes
4.Hanlan's Point Beach
A long sandy beach with dunes on the western islands and views of the skyline; part of it is designated clothing-optional.
About 5 km southeast of downtown · A local escape
5.Cherry Beach
A small, tree-shaded sandy beach in the Port Lands with a popular off-leash dog area.
About 7 km west of downtown · Cyclists and walkers
6.Sunnyside Beach
A west-end beach backed by the historic Sunnyside Pavilion and the Martin Goodman Trail, close to High Park.
Staying near the beach
$$ · Best for families, beach and quiet stays
The Beaches
The Beaches, also called The Beach, is a lakeside neighbourhood where Queen Street East's shops and cafés lead down to a boardwalk of about 3 km along Woodbine and Kew–Balmy beaches on Lake Ontario. It feels like a resort town in summer and is very quiet in winter, about 30–40 minutes from downtown by streetcar.
- Good
- Lakefront walks and summer beach life; Relaxed, family-friendly streets; Direct streetcar to downtown
- Watch out
- Far from the main sights; Little to do on winter evenings
- Nearby
- Woodbine Beach, Kew Gardens, Ashbridges Bay
Getting to the beaches
- Metro — The TTC subway's Line 1 (Yonge–University) forms a U through downtown via Union Station, and Line 2 (Bloor–Danforth) crosses it east–west along Bloor Street.
- Tram — Streetcars run along King, Queen, Spadina and other main streets; the 504 King and 501 Queen lines are handy for Queen West, Leslieville and The Beaches.
- Ferry — City ferries from the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal at the foot of Bay Street reach Centre Island, Ward's Island and Hanlan's Point in about 10–15 minutes.
- Train — GO Transit trains from Union Station serve the suburbs and, on some services, Niagara Falls, while VIA Rail runs to Montreal and Ottawa.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in August. The busiest of those is August, so book early.
Beach safety
Toronto is generally calm for visitors; the most common problems are bike and car break-ins and occasional incidents on late-night transit and around a few busy downtown intersections. In winter, icy pavements and severe wind chill are real hazards, so dress for the weather. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Toronto have beaches?
Yes: Woodbine Beach, Centre Island Beach, Ward's Island Beach, Hanlan's Point Beach, Cherry Beach and Sunnyside Beach.
+What is the best beach near Toronto?
Woodbine Beach: A wide, sandy Lake Ontario beach in The Beaches with volleyball courts and a boardwalk; the city tests the water in summer and posts swimming advisories after heavy rain.