Blue Flag beaches in Ontario

Greater Toronto Area

Bluffer’s Park Beach

Escape the city and feel like you’re on a mini vacation at Bluffer’s Park Beach in Toronto’s east end.

This large sandy beach is one of the top beaches in Ontario and offers beach lovers a fun day out. It is part of the Scarborough Bluffs, a 15-kilometre stretch of sand cliffs along Lake Ontario. Take in the view of the towering bluffs and watch the sunset from the cliffs.

Fun and food at the beach

For a day of fun on the water, Oceah Oceah provides stand-up paddleboard lessons and rentals or rent kayaks from Lakeside Boats and Boards. Or spend a leisurely afternoon fishing, just be sure to have a valid Ontario fishing licence.

Pack a picnic or treat yourself to snacks and ice cream from the summer food trucks and vendors.

Beach facilities and services

Facilities include a change room, outdoor shower and washrooms. Lifeguard supervision and beach maintenance are provided at most City of Toronto beaches. At Bluffer’s Park, lifeguards are on duty daily from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. from June to mid-August. From mid-August to the first week of September, supervision ends at 7:00 p.m.

Getting there

The beach is located in the northeast corner of Bluffers Park. There are a limited number of paid parking spots at the Bluffers Park lot on Brimley Road. If the beach is overcrowded, car access may be closed; consider arriving during off-hours or taking transit. The 201 Bluffers Park bus provides seasonal service to the beach from Kennedy Station.

Location: 1 Brimley Road South, Scarborough

Cherry Beach

One of the cleanest beaches in Ontario, Cherry Beach is also a popular spot for local windsurfers and kiteboarders. And with a designated off-leash dog area, it’s a great place to play, relax and swim with your pup.

Fun and food at the beach

Get out on the water with a rental from Toronto SUP & Kayak, located in the East Parking Lot. Turn your beach day into a beach party with a community-hosted electronic music festival on select summer evenings.

Bring a picnic or purchase fresh fries from the food truck parked near the beach entrance. Cherry Street Bar-Be-Que is a short walk away in the Port Lands neighbourhood.

Beach facilities and services

Grilling stations are available; bring your coals for the BBQ. Washroom facilities are available. Lifeguard supervision is provided from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. from June to mid-August (7:00 p.m. for the remainder of August).

Getting there

Two parking lots are available, but they can fill up quickly on the weekend. A better option is to take the 72B Pape bus to Cherry Beach from Pape Station or take the 202 Cherry Beach bus from Union Station.

Location: 1 Cherry Street, Toronto

Kew-Balmy Beach

Loved by locals for almost a century, Kew-Balmy Beach is quieter than most other Toronto Blue Flag beaches. The 1.2-kilometre stretch of sand makes for a great spot to relax and soak up the sun in Toronto’s laid-back Beaches community.

Fun and food at the beach

Stroll along the well-maintained waterfront boardwalk or cycle the designated bike lane along the Martin Goodman Trail. Reserve kayak rentals or book paddling lessons with Toronto Beach Kayak or enjoy a game of lawn bowling, tennis, baseball or basketball. There are also outdoor fitness equipment and playground facilities nearby.

In The Beaches neighbourhood along Queen Street East, you’ll find an assortment of great bars, bistros and restaurants. If you’re looking to indulge your sweet tooth, head to Beaches n’ Cream Gelato and Ice Cream Café.

Beach facilities and services

Lifeguard supervision is provided between 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m./7:00 p.m. from June through August. Accessible washrooms are available.

Getting there

Limited parking is available at Balmy Beach Lot or you may find free street parking nearby. The most convenient way to get to Key-Balmy Beach is on the 501 streetcar that travels along Queen Street.

Location: 2075 Queen Street East, Toronto

Woodbine Beach

This Blue Flag Beach is Toronto’s most popular beach spot. Home to almost 100 beach volleyball courts and a disc golf course, watch a game or start one of your own.

Fun and food at the beach

Hike or bike portions of the Waterfront Trail or Martin Goodman Trail. Rent kayaks with iPaddle Adventures, located at Ashbridges Bay Point.

Dine at the Toronto Beach Club, a full-service restaurant serving up a Mediterranean tapas-style menu with a patio close to the beach or grab an ice cream from GG’s on the Beach snack bar.

Beach facilities and services

The bathing station provides change rooms, accessible washroom facilities and a beach shower with foot-wash and water-bottle-filling stations. Lifeguard supervision is provided from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m./7:00 p.m. from June through August.

Getting there

Parking is available at 30 Ashbridges Bay Park Road. Both the 92 Woodbine bus and 501 Queen Street streetcar provide access to Woodbine Beach. Find a Bike Share station to bike to the beach.

Location: 1675 Lake Shore Boulevard East, Toronto

Gibraltar Point Beach

Over a dozen connected, car-free islands are nestled along the city’s waterfront, known as the Toronto Islands, and Gibraltar Beach may just be one of Toronto’s best-kept secrets. It’s perfect for those looking for a quiet day of swimming and sunning.

Fun and food at the beach

Explore nature and walking trails, including the path to Gibraltar Point Lighthouse. Built in the early 1800s, it’s the oldest standing lighthouse on the Great Lakes and is rumoured to be haunted by a murdered lightkeeper. Bring binoculars if you’re keen on bird watching.

Pack a picnic or visit one of the food locations on Middle Island, including Toronto Island BBQ and Beer.

Beach facilities and services

Lifeguard supervision is available from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. from June to mid-August and 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. into September.

Getting there

Board a ferry to reach the Toronto Islands. The city-operated ferries depart from Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, located at 9 Queens Quay West and provide regular service to and from Centre, Hanlan’s and Ward’s Islands. The ferry ride is approximately 20 minutes, and each ticket includes the return journey. Ferry lineups may be long on hot summer days, so check the ferry schedule, get there early and book your tickets online.

Parking options are limited along the Harbourfront. However, the ferry terminal is a quick 10-minute walk from Union Station and just a few minutes from the Bay Street/Lake Shore streetcar stop. Plan your route using the TTC transit. Located between Centre Island and Hanlan’s Point beaches, take either the Centre Island or Hanlan’s Point ferry and follow the footpath to Gibraltar Point.

Location: Toronto Islands, Toronto

Hanlan’s Point Beach

It’s beach season, so get your beach outfit ready–or not–a portion of Hanlan’s Point Beach was officially recognized as clothing optional. So, if you don’t want a tan line, you know which side of the beach to visit.

The furthest west of the Toronto Islands beaches, it’s also one of the top beaches in Ontario to view magnificent sunsets. Hanlan’s Point beach was the site of Toronto’s first gay pride event and has been a 2SLGBTQI+ welcoming environment ever since.

Fun and food at the beach

Play a round of tennis, volleyball or baseball at nets and diamonds near the beach.

Beach facilities and services

Facilities include washrooms, change rooms, picnic spots and fire pits. Lifeguards are on duty every day from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m./7:00 p.m. from June through August.

Getting there

Hanlan’s Point Ferry provides service between the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal and Hanlan’s Point dock. It’s about a 15-minute walk from the beach.

Location: Hanlan’s Point, Toronto Islands, Toronto

Ward’s Island Beach

Located on the eastern side of the Toronto Islands next to the charming community of island residents, Ward’s Island Beach provides visitors with a quiet, relaxed oasis. The beach is sheltered by the Leslie Split, so the water is calm and safe for swimming. Stroll along the boardwalk and discover charming island homes, beautiful Lake Ontario views and watch sailboats float by.

Fun and food at the beach

Get out on the water with paddleboard or kayak rentals from Toronto Island SUP. Head to the kid-approved Pirate Park with little ones or spend the afternoon on the Island Café patio for good food and refreshing drinks.

Beach facilities and services

Lifeguard supervision is available from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m./7:00 p.m. from June through August. Washroom facilities are available.

Getting there

Take the Ward’s Island Ferry to Ward’s Island dock; the beach is a five-minute walk away.

Location: Toronto Islands, Toronto

Southwestern Ontario

Grand Bend Beach

Grand Bend Beach is one of the liveliest beach destinations in Ontario.

Beachgoers and sunbathers gravitate toward the spacious sandy beach and expansive views of Lake Huron. Water sport activities, shops, restaurants, theatre, golf courses, a boardwalk for strolling and more mean there is something for everyone, and the fun is endless.

And to top it off, Grand Bend Beach has been awarded the annual Blue Flag status for over a decade.

Fun and food at the beach

Discover exciting water activities. Go parasailing with Grand Bend Parasail or book a speed boat charter with Xtreme Watersports for waterskiing and wakeboarding. Join Grand Bend Fishing Charters for a few hours of fishing. Beyond the beach, see a movie or two at the drive-in cinema and enjoy local wine and cider tastings at Shale Ridge Estate Winery nearby.

Beach facilities and services

Find washrooms and change rooms, plus a splash pad and playground for kids. Lifeguards and beach patrol are on duty from mid-June to the first weekend of September.

Getting there

Pay parking lots are located at the end of Main Street West.

Location: Main Street West, Grand Bend

Port Stanley Main Beach

Overlooking the north shore of Lake Erie, Port Stanley is a charming community and home to one of the loveliest stretches of sandy beach in Ontario, which has earned Blue Flag status for water quality and safety.

Fun and food at the beach

Rent a canoe, kayak, paddle boat or standup paddle board from Bridgeveiw Marina. Discover one of Ontario’s finest multi-use trails, The Waterfront Trail, which extends along Ontario’s Great Lakes, including Lake Erie.

Cool off with an ice cream treat from Broderick’s Ice Cream Parlour or a cold drink on the beachfront patio at GT’s on the Beach.

Beach facilities and services

Find accessible washrooms and change facilities, as well as rubber mats for wheelchair and stroller access at the beach. Lifeguards are on duty from July to September.

Getting there

Paid parking is available at the Main Beach Parking Lot at 332 Edith Cavell Boulevard.

Location: 348 Edith Cavell Boulevard, Port Stanley

Port Burwell East Beach

It’s hard not to fall in love with Port Burwell East Beach. The beach is peaceful, pristine, with shallow waters ideal for swimming. With its Blue Flag certification for Ontario beach water quality, it’s no surprise that this spot has been referred to as the Jewel of Lake Erie’s north shore.

Fun and food at the beach

Enjoy excellent bird watching at Port Burwell Provincial Park and Long Point Bird Observatory. Climb the stairs to the top of Port Burwell Lighthouse, one of Canada’s oldest wooden lighthouses.

Simply Scoops is a local tradition serving a variety of ice cream flavours as well as burgers, fries, hot dogs and poutine with a sit-in shop in town and a food truck at the beach.

Beach facilities and services

There is no lifeguard at this beach, so swim with caution. Accessible washroom facilities are provided.

Getting there

Free parking is available at the beach.

Location: Erieus Street, Port Burwell

Canatara Park Beach

Situated on the shores of Lake Huron, just east of the mouth of the St. Clair River in the heart of Sarnia, Canatara Park Beach is a prime waterfront location with a kilometre-long sandy beach, outdoor attractions and kid-friendly activities.

Fun and food at the beach

Go fishing with Blue Line Fishing Charters. Hike, cycle and bird watch in the extensive parkland and trails. Keep your family entertained at the playground, petting zoo, BMX bike track or Wakeboard Sarnia, a wakeboard and wakeskate facility.

Rent a picnic pavilion or enjoy tasty fries, hot dogs and ice cream nearby. Follow Albert’s Original & Suzys Ice Creamporium on Facebook.

Beach facilities and services

Find accessible washrooms and rubber beach mats for wheelchairs or strollers. Lifeguards are on duty from June to the end of August from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Getting there

The parking lot is located off Christina Street.

Location: Christina Street, Point Edward, Sarnia

Northeastern Ontario

Spine Beach

Spine Beach is an inviting sandy beach overlooking Elliot Lake, just a short distance west of the town of Elliot Lake. With a designated dog water area and a kids’ playground, there’s something for everyone in the family.

Fun and food at the beach

Walk the trail that connects Spruce Beach to Spine Beach. Swim safely between the buoys, which create a safe swimming zone for children. Venture into town for local restaurants and dining options.

Beach facilities and services

Find picnic tables, washrooms and changing facilities close to the beach. Lifeguard service is provided daily from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in July and August.

Getting there

Free parking is available at the west end of Spine Road

Location: Spine Beach, Elliot Lake

Spruce Beach

Another great family-friendly spot along Elliot Lake, Spruce Beach features a supervised swimming area, a large rock for kids to swim to and jump off, a playground, a sandy area for relaxing or playing and lots of shaded space to enjoy a picnic.

Fun and food at the beach

Hike the trail between Spruce Beach and Spine Beach. Play at the playground and take the dog for a run at the dog-friendly area. Buoys indicate swimming depths that are suitable for children to swim safely.

Beach facilities and services

Washroom and playground facilities are located on-site. Lifeguard supervision is provided in July and August from noon to 7:00 p.m.

Getting there

Parking is available off Spruce Avenue.

Location: Spruce Avenue, Elliot Lake

Enjoy sun, sand and surf at Ontario’s Blue Flag Beaches this summer, with the peace of mind knowing that the water is safe, clean and protected.