Sight guide · Toronto · Canada
Visiting Toronto Islands
A short ferry ride across the harbour, the car-free Toronto Islands have lake beaches, picnic lawns, bike paths, the 1808 Gibraltar Point lighthouse and the Centreville amusement park for young children.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: JK Liu, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Toronto Islands is an island in Toronto Harbour, Toronto. Allow half a day to a full day; it is low cost. On summer weekends buy ferry tickets online to skip the ticket-office queue.
Key facts
- Type
- Island
- Area
- Toronto Harbour
- Time needed
- Half a day to a full day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Recommended
- Good for
- outdoors, kids, views and photo spot
- Best months
- June and August–September
About Toronto Islands
A short ferry ride across the harbour, the car-free Toronto Islands have lake beaches, picnic lawns, bike paths, the 1808 Gibraltar Point lighthouse and the Centreville amusement park for young children. The ferry deck gives the classic view of the downtown skyline.
Tip: Take the ferry to Ward's Island in the morning, walk or cycle west along the boardwalk, and return from Centre Island or Hanlan's Point at sunset for skyline photos.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: Half a day to a full day.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: On summer weekends buy ferry tickets online to skip the ticket-office queue.
- Where: Toronto Harbour.
Best time to visit Toronto Islands
Toronto Islands is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- September: 21°C (70°F) highs, about 9 rainy days, busy crowds.
- June: 24°C (75°F) highs, about 10 rainy days, busy crowds.
- August: 26°C (79°F) highs, about 9 rainy days, very busy crowds.
For the view at golden hour: in mid-September the sun sets at about 19:28 local time (calculated for Toronto).
When to visit Toronto has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Toronto itinerary visits Toronto Islands on day 3, together with Kensington Market and Casa Loma.
- No. 7 of the 19 sights in our Toronto things-to-do list.
- Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 3 of the 4-day plan.
- Day 3 of the 5-day plan.
- Day 5 of the 7-day plan.
- One of the picks in outdoors in Toronto.
- A family favourite in Toronto with kids.
If you like Toronto Islands
- CN Tower — Entertainment District, 1.5–2 hours
- High Park — High Park, 2–3 hours
- Nathan Phillips Square — Downtown, 30 minutes
- Scarborough Bluffs — Scarborough, 2–3 hours
Staying near Toronto Islands
Where to stay in Toronto compares every area by price and who it suits.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Toronto Islands?
Plan half a day to a full day.
+Is Toronto Islands free?
No, it is low cost. Booking ahead is advised.
+When is the best time to visit Toronto Islands?
June and August–September for the most comfortable weather. Take the ferry to Ward's Island in the morning, walk or cycle west along the boardwalk, and return from Centre Island or Hanlan's Point at sunset for skyline photos.
+Do I need to book Toronto Islands in advance?
On summer weekends buy ferry tickets online to skip the ticket-office queue.
+Is Toronto Islands good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Toronto. Toronto is easy with children: the aquarium, the ROM's dinosaurs, the island ferries and Centreville amusement park, free animals in High Park and big parks make it simple to mix sights and play.