Toronto might not be revered around the globe for its white-sand beaches, after all, it’s a Canadian city. However, it doesn’t mean we don’t have a few beautiful stretches of sand to lay down your towel and catch some rays. Toronto beaches have a lot to offer during the summer months.
Here are some of our favourite Toronto beaches to visit this summer…
The Toronto Islands
Located just off the southern shores of mainland Toronto, the Toronto Islands are a small collection of about 15 islands accessible via water taxi or ferry. In the summer, thousands of Torontonians flock to this isolated part of the city for an escape from the hustle and bustle of downtown.
Just a short boat ride south of the city, the Toronto Islands offer the perfect day-trip getaway. Whether you dock in at the ferry terminals at Centre Island, Ward’s Island, or Hanlan’s Point, you’re bound to pass a seemingly endless number of beaches while you make your way across the many blissful little islands.
Sunnyside Beach
Found in the far west end of downtown Toronto, Sunnyside Park is one of the city’s oldest and most historic public parks. Located at the foot of High Park along the shorelines of Lake Ontario, Sunnyside Park has been the backdrop for many iconic Toronto events.
It was the landing site of an attack during the War of 1812 and the home of one of Toronto’s most popular amusement parks during the mid 20th century, Sunnyside Park’s history is rich, to say the least.
Today, Sunnyside Park is home to a collection of some of Toronto’s most popular beaches. Scattered from east to west across the thin strip of Sunnyside Park are multiple stretches of sand that welcome tourists and locals alike. Complete with beach volleyball courts, paddleboards, lifeguards, and more, there’s a lot of living left to be done on these historic Toronto beaches.
Woodbine Beach
Head east over to the opposite side of the city and you’ll find more iconic Toronto beaches located along the northern shores of Lake Ontario. Woodbine Beach is the largest of four publicly accessible beaches in Toronto’s east end. While each strip of sand within this chain of four beaches is technically separate from one another, they all connect to form one long shoreline.
This chain of beautiful Toronto beaches is so well-known, in fact, that the entire residential neighbourhood above it is named after them. The community known as The Beaches is one of the city’s easternmost neighbourhoods and has a distinctly laid-back and friendly vibe.
Cherry Beach
Situated about halfway between the eastern tip of the Toronto Islands and the western point of Woodbine Beach is Cherry Beach. The beach is located at the foot of Cherry Street on the industrial portland peninsula just south of mainland Toronto.
This section of Toronto’s portland peninsula wasn’t always a popular recreational area, however. The relatively new additions of the sanded Cherry Beach and its surrounding amenities (including sports fields, public parks, and sailing clubs) have truly transformed the peninsula into a go-to destination, especially in the summer months.
Today, you’ll find Cherry Beach is many Torontonians’ first choice destination when it comes to hitting the beach.
Sugar Beach
While it’s perhaps the smallest of the lot, Sugar Beach makes up for its modest footprint with many charming attributes.
This centrally-located urban Toronto beach park can be found along the southern edge of mainland Toronto in the East Bayfront district. Sugar Beach coined its name because of its close proximity to the monumental Redpath Sugar Refinery, which is located just a few steps away.
Unlike others on this list, this Toronto beach is not intended for swimming or other watersports. Instead, Sugar Beach acts as a public waterfront park used for relaxation and leisure. The standout features of this white sand beach are its beloved Muskoka chairs, its trademark pink sun umbrellas, and its unique view of Toronto’s harbourfront.
Do you find Toronto’s waterfront lifestyle as appealing as we do? As local real estate experts, we can help you find a home near the lake that perfectly suits your unique lifestyle. To get started, book a personal home buying consultation with us here.
