Port Stanley Beach
The heart of the charming town of Port Stanley is Port Stanley Beach. Located in southwest Ontario, this beautiful beach hugs the north shore of Lake Erie at the mouth of Kettle Creek.
Port Stanley consists of two distinctive beaches. The Port Stanley Main Beach is long with gorgeous sandy stretches and one of the few beaches in Canada to have earned Blue Flag status for its excellent water quality and safety measures.
Port Stanley’s Little Beach is not far from the Main Beach. Best suited for families with young children, this 185-metre-long beach features shallow waters secluded by surrounding trees.
Port Stanley Beach | Ontario’s Southwest
How to get to Port Stanley Beach
Location: 162 William Street, Port Stanley
By transit: In the summer, take the Bend Bus to get from London to Port Stanley Beach.
By car: Port Stanley Beach is about a two-hour drive west of Hamilton and just under 45 minutes south from London. The beach offers paid parking lots in various locations near the beach, which include EV charging stations. If the beach parking lots are full, you can find more parking in town.
Know before you go
Port Stanley Beach offers mats and beach wheelchairs, plus a wide and smooth cement walkway, to make the beach accessible to people with wheelchairs, strollers or walkers. Find these at the Centre Lifeguard Tower near the changerooms, available during beach patrol hours.
Municipally-supplied barbecues are available at the pavilion, near the beach washrooms.
Things to do at Port Stanley Beach
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Have fun in the sun
Indulge in the amenities of a large beach volleyball court, an inviting boardwalk and the safety of lifeguard services throughout the busy summer season of Port Stanley Beach.
Splash around in the water
Take advantage of the sparkling water with swimming, sunbathing, boating and water sports. Find rentals for canoes, kayaks and other small watercraft in town or along the beach.
Celebrate by the shore
If you’re planning a wedding or other special occasion, consider renting the beautiful Port Stanley Beach for private use. Call the municipality for details.
Articles and itineraries
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Interesting facts about Port Stanley Beach
During the early settlement era in the 17th and 18th centuries, Port Stanley served as a key stop on the route north from Lake Erie via inland waterways. This place was a convenient landing point for many famed explorers like Adrien Joliet.
Settled by Europeans in 1804 as “Kettle Creek,” Port Stanley Beach was renamed 20 years later when Edward Smith-Stanley, the 14th Earl of Derby, visited. His son, Frederick Stanley, became the Governor of Canada and donated the first Stanley Cup. Remnants of this history are still evident in the area today.
Accessibility Features
Accessible beach access routes
Last updated: April 2, 2024