Hey, I’m Kayla. I spent this past summer chasing sand across Toronto. If you’re still not convinced that the city even counts as a beach town, here’s a quick primer on why Toronto absolutely does have beaches. I packed my SPF 50, a loud beach towel, and way too many snacks. I biked, I took the streetcar, I took the ferry. I got cold feet in that crisp lake water more times than I’ll admit. And you know what? Toronto’s beach game is actually good. For the official scoop, the City of Toronto’s public beaches page lists each shoreline along with amenities and maps. I lay out an even deeper rundown in this expanded best-beaches guide.
Here’s the thing. Each beach has a mood. Some are loud, some are calm, and some are just there for the view. Let me explain what I loved, what bugged me, and where I’d send you, based on real days with sand stuck between my toes.
Woodbine Beach (Ashbridges Bay) — The “Do-It-All” Beach
If I only had time for one, I’d go here. I biked the Martin Goodman Trail over on a Saturday morning, locked up by the volleyball courts, and grabbed an iced coffee on Queen Street East. The sand is soft, wide, and clean. Lifeguards were on, and the washrooms were not scary (big win).
I watched a Canada Day fireworks show here once. It gets busy—like, shoulder-to-shoulder busy—but the vibe stays friendly. I played pickup volleyball with strangers and didn’t feel weird. The water can be chilly, but on sunny days it felt fresh and clear.
- What I loved: Big sandy stretch, lots of space, friendly crowds, volleyball.
- What bugged me: Parking is chaos on weekends. The snack line crawls after noon.
Kew-Balmy Beach — Peace, Pebbles, and Boardwalk Strides
Walk east from Woodbine and it quiets down. That long boardwalk calms my brain. I did sunrise runs here, then rewarded myself with a scoop from Ed’s Real Scoop. The water is often clear, and the beach has a Blue Flag vibe most summers.
There’s a pebbly strip in parts, so I bring water shoes. Families, older folks, and book readers love it. I heard more seagulls than speakers. That’s my kind of morning.
- What I loved: Calm energy, boardwalk, shade trees.
- What bugged me: Pebbles sneak into sandals. Fewer snacks right on the sand.
Cherry Beach — Wind, Dogs, and Kites
Cherry is for breezy days. I showed up with friends and our dogs and watched kiteboarders fly. There’s a huge off-leash area, and it’s a dog joy zone. It’s also one of the few beaches with good shade, so my pale skin thanked me.
You’ll smell BBQ, hear drum circles now and then, and get a little sand-blasted if it’s gusty. After a storm, I check swim status, since closures pop up sometimes. I pack bug spray at dusk. I learned that lesson the itchy way.
- What I loved: Dogs! Wind sports! Easy shade, mellow crowd.
- What bugged me: Mosquito hour is real. Water can close after rain.
Hanlan’s Point Beach — Chill Island Day (Clothing-Optional Too)
I took the ferry over on a warm Tuesday and walked to Hanlan’s. The sand felt extra fine, like sugar. The water was clear, and the pace was slow in the best way. I kept my suit on, but yes, there’s a clothing-optional area, and people are respectful.
Bring snacks and water, since the food stands are a walk away. I stayed longer than planned because I lost track of time, which tells you something. Watch your ferry times so you’re not sprinting back in flip-flops. I did that once. Not my finest moment.
- What I loved: Calm, soft sand, open sky.
- What bugged me: Fewer services close by. Ferry lines get long on weekends.
Centre Island Beach — Family Friendly, Big Picnic Energy
I rented one of those silly quadricycles with my niece, and we squeaked along to the beach. The water is fairly shallow near shore, which helped with kids. We grabbed fries from a nearby stand and set up under trees. Lots of lifeguards, lots of picnic tables.
Geese sometimes leave gifts on the grass. I carry wipes and a sense of humor. Centreville’s bells in the background made it feel like a summer postcard.
- What I loved: Easy with kids, shade, lifeguards.
- What bugged me: Geese. Enough said.
Ward’s Island Beach — Quiet, Cottagey, Kinda Perfect
If you want calm without the trek to Hanlan’s, walk east to Ward’s. I got coffee by the little cottages and read my book on a weekday morning. The beach is smaller, but the mood is sweet and low-key. Great for a reset.
- What I loved: Peaceful, nice morning light, close to the ferry dock.
- What bugged me: Smaller beach, fewer amenities.
Bluffers Park Beach — Big Views, Big Crowds, Big Caution
This one wins on looks. On a bright day, the Scarborough Bluffs glow. The water turns teal, and the photos look fake. I went early, spread a blanket, and just stared at the cliffs for a while. That’s not like me, but it happened.
Parking fills fast. I got there before 9 a.m. and still saw cars circle. Also, stay away from the cliff edges and posted zones. The rock is not stable. The beach itself is wide and pretty, with lots of families and music.
- What I loved: Unreal views, soft sand, marina strolls after.
- What bugged me: Parking stress. Please follow the safety signs—seriously.
Sunnyside Beach — Sunsets and an Old-School Pool
Sunnyside is my golden-hour spot. I grab a snack near the old Bathing Pavilion and watch the sun sink behind the skyline. If what you really want is a night where the shoreline thumps with live music, detour a few minutes west to Echo Beach at Ontario Place. The outdoor Gus Ryder Pool is huge and classic, and some days I choose that over the lake.
I do check the swim status here often. After rain, it’s iffy. Rollerbladers and cyclists zoom by on the trail, and the vibe feels very “city beach.” A little gritty, but sweet.
- What I loved: Sunset views, historic pavilion, big pool.
- What bugged me: Traffic noise. Water quality can be hit or miss.
Sugar Beach — Not for Swimming, but Still a Mood
Pink umbrellas. White sand. Book-in-lap lunch break. That’s Sugar Beach. I bring a takeout salad, sit by the water, and watch boats slide by. You can smell the nearby sugar plant sometimes, which made me crave candy. No swimming here, just lounging.
- What I loved: Pretty scene, handy for downtown breaks.
- What bugged me: No water access for swimming. Gets hot on the sand.
Rouge Beach and Marie Curtis Park Beach — East and West Sleepers
Rouge Beach felt like a mini nature trip. I heard birds, saw calm water by the marsh, and swatted one too many bugs. Bring spray. It can close after heavy rain, so I check first.
Marie Curtis sits at the Toronto–Mississauga edge. It’s quiet, with a nice playground and long views. On windy days, the waves slap hard, so I watch the flags and play it smart.
- What I loved: Fewer crowds, nature feel.
- What bugged me: Bugs at Rouge, stronger currents some days at Marie Curtis.
Quick Picks (Because You Asked)
- First swim of summer: Woodbine or Centre Island
- Best with a dog: Cherry Beach
- Big wow views: Bluffers Park Beach
- Quiet morning: Ward’s Island
- Sunset watch: Sunnyside
- Sand + silence on a weekday: Hanlan’s Point (non-holiday)
What I Check Before I Go
Whenever I’m debating which shoreline suits the day’s vibe, I skim Beaches Toronto for quick-hit intel on amenities, parking, and current conditions.
- City of Toronto beach water quality updates or the Swim Guide app
- Wind and waves (Cherry is a kite show on breezy days)
- Ferry times for the Islands
- Weekend parking notes—some lots fill by mid-morning
My Simple Beach Pack
- Water shoes
- SPF 50 and a lip balm stick
- Quick-dry towel
- Light hoodie (lake wind gets nippy)
- Big water bottle and a snack
- Small cash for ice cream
- A bag for trash (I leave the spot cleaner than I found it)
By the way, sometimes the beach is where flirty small-talk starts but doesn’t get a chance