The Best Beaches in Ontario | Our Top Hotels for Relaxing Lakeside

Distance from Toronto: 3 1/2 hours

Ontario’s Prince Edward County is a big island with quaint hamlets, antique shops, exceptional wineries, and incredible beaches. Three of them are found within Sandbanks, a provincial park that’s home to the world’s largest badmouth barrier dune formation. Outlet Beach is shallow, gentle and perfect for families, Sandbanks Beach is a large, one-kilometre long strip perfect for windsurfing and picnics and Dunes Beach, with its gorgeous, white-hot white sand, calm, cool and shallow waters, looks and feels like a soothing, serene Caribbean paradise.

Distance from Toronto: 1 1/2 hours

Visitors have had a love affair with Cobourg’s waterfront for decades. Throughout the 20th century, a ferry service connected it with Rochester, New York, bringing hoards of tourists and American industrialists to the growing small town. Many loved it so much, they built summer homes here, some of which you can still see today. These days, Victoria Park and the large nearby beach is home to an annual Arts and Crafts Waterfront Festival as well as the Sandcastle Festival which has been named one of the top travel experiences in Ontario. Thousands descend on this beach annually as it’s an ideal spot to eat ice cream along the boardwalk, play a game of beach volleyball, jump around in the splash park and take a dip in the water.  

Distance from Toronto: 2 hours

Port Dover has been a popular beach destination for 100 years. Famous for its small–town charm, California-style vibe and street-side fast food, Erie Beach features several palm trees along the water, making getting here early enough in the day to claim a spot in the shade somewhat of an urgent matter. Summer nights here have the look and feel of Mediterranean-style romanticism. Take a seat on the cool sand, listen to the ebbs and flows of the gentle tide and fix your gaze towards the lighthouse as it absorbs and reflects the moonlight.

Distance from Toronto: 2 hours

Stretching 40 kilometres long, well beyond the shoreline and onto Lake Erie, Long Point is a precious and sensitive piece of land that is home to not only a World Biosphere Reserve but the fourth oldest provincial park in Ontario. Established in 1921, Long Point is a well known and much loved summer wonderland, home to one of the largest bird migration staging areas on the continent, and is a retreat for nature lovers and beach worshippers alike. Nearly two kilometres of soft sand and warm water is available for you to enjoy here, including near Monarch’s Rest and Turtle Dunes day-use and campground areas.

Distance from Toronto: 4 hours

Point Pelee’s big draw: it’s the southernmost tip of mainland Canada. A compact park that’s home to an annual bird festival, Point Pelee also gives visitors a chance to soak up the sun on both of its extended coastlines. Fun fact: the park is located just south of the 42nd parallel, meaning it’s as far south as Rome and Northern California and because of its milder, southern climate, the park offers gentle tropical-like breezes coming in from the lake and an overall warmer water beach experience.

Distance from Toronto: 2 1/2 hours

You don’t have to travel far from Toronto to enjoy island life. 30,000 islands made from rugged Canadian Shield dot this region of central Ontario. Smack dab in the middle sits Georgian Bay Islands, a national park accessible only by the DayTripper ferry and only with a reservation. You can choose to visit either the north or south end of Beausoleil Island as both have incredible vistas and beaches. On the south end, Cedar Springs, Wana Keta and Sandpiper day-use areas offer gorgeous views of Beausoleil Bay, while Honeymoon Bay in the north is more secluded, laid back, making you feel as if you’ve discovered a pristine, refreshing blue water beach and have it all to yourself.

Distance from Toronto: 4 hours

You can hike, canoe and kayak. But for many visiting The Bruce, swimming is top of mind. Visually stunning, Indian Head Cove’s flat, limestone rock and white boulder beach is a tropical, turquoise water paradise that feels like you’re living your beach fairytale. Go on in, the water’s fine and while you’re at it look around in total awe as you take a moment to appreciate the natural environment. Before long, your attention veers off to the Natural Arch, a hole in the rock on the way to the infamous Grotto, a large sea cave containing a pool of water, spectacular serenity and a true beach escape at its most exotic.

Distance from Toronto: 2 1/2 hours

Considered by many to be ‘the prettiest town in Canada’, Goderich features a charming, retro octagonal town square, scenic mile-long boardwalk, and three warm, teal coloured beaches. A family-friendly environment with playgrounds and picnic shelters, the Main Beach allows for perfect views of boats entering the harbour, St. Christopher’s Beach is a bit more shaded and dog-friendly while sandy and shallow Rotary Cove Beach is popular with locals. As the sun sets, make your way to Lighthouse Park on the bluff, overlooking all three beaches. Take in one of the best sunsets in Ontario and watch the dimming rays reflect on the silky smooth Lake Huron waves.