Looking for the very best seashores in Ontario for summer season 2025? Ontario has no scarcity of seashores, however not all are created equal. From childhood weekends at Wasaga to quiet afternoons at Sauble Beach we’ve spent years monitoring down the very best of the very best. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway on Lake Huron, a household journey to the sandy coves of Georgian Bay, or a peaceable afternoon on the Toronto Islands, this information covers Ontario’s high seaside locations—every with firsthand suggestions and up-to-date particulars that will help you benefit from your time on the water.
Best Beaches in Ontario in 2025
1. Wasaga Beach – Georgian Bay
We’ve been coming to Wasaga Beach since childhood, and it nonetheless delivers. Stretching over 14 kilometres, it’s acknowledged because the world’s longest freshwater seaside and provides all the things from energetic boardwalk spots to quieter, family-friendly sections. The shoreline is damaged into eight seaside areas—Beach 1 is the place the motion is, with retailers, meals stalls, and a youthful crowd, whereas areas like 3 to six are typically calmer. The shallow water and gradual slope make it nice for wading, particularly with youngsters in tow. For a change of tempo, the adjoining provincial park has forest trails, birdwatching, and picnic areas shaded by towering timber.
This basic Lake Huron vacation spot additionally provides quick access to water sports activities like paddleboarding and jet snowboarding. It’s a seaside the place you may pack a seaside chair, sit back, and make a full day of it. This is why it’s our decide for the highest seashores in Ontario.
Good to know: Summer weekends carry massive crowds. Arrive early to get parking near your most popular seaside space, and examine the Ontario Parks web site for water high quality updates.
2. Grand Bend Beach – Lake Huron
Grand Bend looks like a second dwelling to me. My dad and mom had a cottage there, so I spent numerous summers on this seaside—swimming, sunbathing, and watching these signature Lake Huron sunsets. It was at all times one in all Ontario’s unique seaside cities. Back in highschool and school, street journeys to Grand Bend had been a ceremony of passage. And for one summer season, I even carried out on the Huron Country Playhouse, only a brief drive away.
The seaside itself has crystal clear waters, is broad and well-maintained, with gentle sand, a chosen swimming space, and seasonal lifeguards on responsibility each day. There’s an extended boardwalk and a close-by pier, and Main Street is simply steps away, filled with retailers, patios, and all of the ice cream you possibly can need after a day within the solar. It nonetheless strikes that steadiness between family-friendly and fun-loving.
Good to know: Parking is out there however fills up rapidly on sunny weekends. Stick round into the night—Grand Bend’s bar scene and dwell music spots hold issues energetic lengthy after sundown.
3. Port Stanley Beach – Lake Erie
Port Stanley has private roots for me—my sister lived there all her life, so I’ve seen the city evolve firsthand. What was as soon as a quiet fishing village has grown into one in all Ontario’s go-to summer season spots, with out dropping its small-town allure. The major seaside is broad, sandy, and gently sloped, which makes it ultimate for households and informal swimmers. The heat water here’s a nice shock for Great Lakes seashores.
Downtown Port Stanley is only a brief stroll away and stuffed with cafes, boutiques, and fish-and-chips joints that make the entire expertise really feel like a correct vacation. The seaside space features a playground, altering services, and shaded relaxation spots.
Good to know: Lifeguards are on responsibility throughout summer season, and the seaside has accessible washrooms. Paid parking is out there close to the shore, however weekend mornings can get busy.
4. Sauble Beach – Lake Huron
We rolled into Sauble Beach one Friday afternoon and instantly understood why it’s such a summer season magnet. The 11-kilometre shoreline has room for almost all the things—sunbathing, paddleboarding, kayaking, or grabbing ice cream between swims.
The city itself looks like a basic Ontario seaside group, with burger joints, ice cream stands, and boardwalk strolls at sundown. The seaside is shallow for an extended stretch, making it ultimate for households and relaxed swims, whereas extra lively guests can hire paddleboards or jet skis proper off the shore. Sauble Beach can also be one of the crucial well-known seashores in Ontario for giant teams planning weekend getaways.
Good to know: While entry is free, parking fills up quick on weekends and holidays. Bring change or use the cellular app for meters.
5. Sandbanks Provincial Park – Prince Edward County
Some seashores are greatest for a day journey—Sandbanks is one you’ll need to settle into. Located in Prince Edward County, the park is understood for its placing sand dunes and lengthy, sandy stretches that really feel nearly misplaced in Ontario. It’s divided into three major seashores—Outlet Beach, Dunes Beach, and Lakeshore Beach—every with its personal vibe. Outlet is probably the most family-friendly with light waters; Dunes feels extra distant, tucked behind a rolling panorama; and Lakeshore is a strong center floor. Add in well-kept campgrounds, climbing trails, and close by wineries, and it’s no shock this place books out quick.
Whether you’re into swimming, climbing, or simply lounging on the white sand with a chilly drink, Sandbanks is a superb spot to expertise the number of Ontario’s seashores.
Good to know: Reserve forward, particularly in July and August. Day-use permits typically promote out by mid-morning.
6. Cobourg Beach – Lake Ontario
Cobourg Beach at all times surprises individuals who assume Lake Ontario can’t ship a correct seaside expertise. This one proves them fallacious. Located simply over an hour east of Toronto, Cobourg’s Victoria Park Beach is broad, sandy, and well-maintained, with a laid-back vibe that pulls each locals and guests all through the summer season.
The close by park is good for households, full with a playground and loads of house for picnics. The sand is gentle, the water is crystal clear, and the setting is postcard excellent.
Good to know: Lifeguards are on responsibility throughout summer season. Parking is metered and may replenish quick on weekends. Cobourg additionally hosts occasions just like the Sandcastle Festival, which is value timing your go to round.
7. Agawa Bay – Lake Superior
Agawa Bay sits inside Lake Superior Provincial Park and looks like a real escape into the wild. This seaside isn’t nearly solar and sand—it’s the place dramatic landscapes meet cultural historical past. The shoreline is framed by boreal forest and rocky cliffs, with an extended, curved bay that provides house for each rest and reflection.
The water’s chilly, the seaside is extra pebbly than gentle, and the surroundings is unforgettable. A brief drive away, the Agawa Rock Pictographs path results in historical Ojibwe rock artwork that adheres to the cliff face. It’s a robust expertise, and one which sticks with you lengthy after you’ve left.
Good to know: The seaside itself is pebbly, not sandy, so water footwear assist. Campsites are proper by the lake, however it is a distant park—replenish earlier than you arrive.
8. Awenda Provincial Park – Georgian Bay
Awenda isn’t one of many big-name seashores in Ontario, and that’s precisely why we prefer it. Tucked away close to Penetanguishene, this park is quieter than spots like Wasaga or Sandbanks however nonetheless provides lovely shoreline entry to Georgian Bay. There are a number of smaller seashores throughout the park, every a brief hike or bike journey from the campgrounds. The major seaside space is sandy with shallow water, excellent for wading, swimming, or paddleboarding.
We’ve visited just a few instances, and it at all times feels extra secluded than the larger parks. Surrounded by forest and inland lakes, the realm is peaceable and shaded by towering timber. Don’t anticipate a boardwalk or meals stands—that is extra of a back-to-nature form of seaside journey.
Good to know: Amenities are minimal, so carry all the things you want for the day. Parking is restricted, and plenty of seaside areas require a brief stroll from the lot. Good strolling footwear assist.
9. Killbear Provincial Park – Georgian Bay
Killbear is a type of provincial parks that manages to steadiness all the things—nice seashores, scenic climbing, and an actual sense of wilderness. Located on the jap fringe of Georgian Bay close to Parry Sound, it’s made up of a number of rocky factors and sandy bays, giving guests a mixture of seaside choices relying on what sort of day they’re after.
The water is basic Georgian Bay—clear, cool, and extremely clear. Kids can splash within the shallows whereas adults paddle out or sunbathe on the rocks. And the sunsets from Killbear Point? Easily a few of the greatest within the province.
Good to know: There are a number of campgrounds throughout the park, every with completely different seaside entry. The terrain may be uneven in locations, so water footwear and respectable strolling footwear turn out to be useful. Watch out for poison ivy—it’s widespread on this space.
10 Turkey Point Beach – Lake Erie
Turkey Point won’t get the identical highlight as Grand Bend or Wasaga, but it surely’s at all times felt like a little bit of a hidden gem to us. The seaside is shallow, sandy, and family-friendly, set alongside a peaceful stretch of Lake Erie that’s excellent for swimming, paddleboarding, or simply floating. It’s particularly standard with massive teams searching for a laid-back day on the coast.
The close by provincial park provides trails via the woods, and the realm additionally features a marina and zip-lining course for extra adventurous guests.
Good to know: There’s paid parking near the seaside and some eating places and comfort spots close by. The seaside is dog-friendly in some areas, however guidelines fluctuate by season, so examine forward.
11. Bon Echo Provincial Park – Mazinaw Lake
Bon Echo is greatest identified for Mazinaw Rock, a towering cliff that rises 100 metres straight out of the lake, but it surely additionally has a strong seaside that’s value your time. The major swimming space is situated close to the park’s South Beach, the place a stretch of sandy shoreline opens onto the deep, clear waters of Mazinaw Lake. It’s not a sprawling seaside, but it surely’s peaceable, with loads of house to swim and paddle.
Paddling throughout the lake to see the Indigenous pictographs painted on the rock face is likely one of the most memorable issues you are able to do within the park. It’s a quiet form of awe that sneaks up on you.
Good to know: South Beach has washrooms, shaded picnic tables, and a mild slope into the water. The lake will get deep rapidly, so robust swimmers will get extra out of it than waders.
12. Crystal Beach – Lake Erie
Crystal Beach has gone via fairly a metamorphosis over time. Once dwelling to a well-known amusement park, it’s now a well-kept seaside city with a clear, soft-sand shoreline that pulls households, day-trippers, and anybody searching for a quieter Lake Erie different. The water is shallow and surprisingly heat by Ontario requirements, making it one of many extra swimmable seashores on the Great Lakes.
You’ll discover a small however vibrant native scene right here—ice cream retailers, just a few eating places, and seasonal occasions that give it a little bit of a throwback allure. The seaside has been cleaned up loads in recent times, and now there’s an entrance charge that helps preserve services, which embody washrooms, change rooms, and lifeguards in season. It’s an amazing spot to carry a seaside chair and spend your complete day absorbing the solar.
Good to know: Access is managed throughout summer season months and each day passes can promote out. Book on-line when you’re happening a weekend.
13. Hanlan’s Point Beach – Toronto Islands
Photo: Joseph Morris/CC/Flickr.com
Hanlan’s Point is completely different from each different seaside on this listing—and never simply because it’s clothing-optional. Located on the Toronto Islands, this seaside has lengthy been part of the town’s different and LGBTQ+ tradition. It’s relaxed, open-minded, and an entire lot quieter than the mainland scene at Woodbine Beach or Sugar Beach.
The seaside itself is lengthy, with a mixture of sandy and grassy areas, and the water is surprisingly clear for one thing so near downtown. On scorching days, you’ll get a mixture of sunbathers, swimmers, and ferry-goers who’ve made the journey for a change of tempo. You don’t have to make use of the clothing-optional facet, but it surely’s an enormous a part of what offers Hanlan’s its distinctive, inclusive ambiance. If you’ve bought time, a go to to the close by Gibraltar Point Lighthouse provides a little bit of historical past to your seaside day.
Good to know: The ferry journey from downtown Toronto takes about quarter-hour. Bring your individual snacks and drinks—providers on the island are restricted and spaced out.
14. Centre Island Beach – Toronto Islands
We lived in Toronto for years, and Centre Island Beach was at all times our go-to once we wanted a fast break from the town. It’s additionally the place we had one in all our first dates again in 1991—we had an incredible picnic watching the sailboats drift by. The seaside hasn’t modified a lot since then, and that’s a part of the allure.
Just a brief ferry journey from downtown, Centre Island Beach provides a clear, quiet stretch of sand with calm water, seasonal lifeguards, and a family-friendly ambiance. It’s a uncommon form of place the place you may swim, hire a motorcycle, seize a snack, and nonetheless really feel such as you’re removed from the town.
Centreville Amusement Park is shut by, and the island’s paths are excellent for aimless wandering. Whether you’re right here for just a few hours or the entire day, it’s a straightforward, refreshing escape.
Good to know: The ferry will get busy on weekends—e book forward when you can. There are washrooms and meals stands close to the seaside, however bringing your individual snacks by no means hurts.
As you may see, Ontario is admittedly blessed with seashores. The province is exclusive for seaside lovers as a result of it has predominantly freshwater seashores. The pristine nature offers strategy to seashores that would truthfully rival Caribbean locations.
Read More About Ontario