Searching for one of the best seashores in Ontario for summer time 2025? Ontario has no scarcity of seashores, however not all are created equal. From childhood weekends at Wasaga to quiet afternoons at Sauble Seashore we’ve spent years monitoring down one of the best of one of the best. Whether or not 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 ideas and up-to-date particulars that can assist you take advantage of your time on the water.
Greatest Seashores in Ontario in 2025
1. Wasaga Seashore – Georgian Bay
We’ve been coming to Wasaga Seashore since childhood, and it nonetheless delivers. Stretching over 14 kilometres, it’s acknowledged because the world’s longest freshwater seaside and provides every little thing from vigorous boardwalk spots to quieter, family-friendly sections. The shoreline is damaged into eight seaside areas—Seashore 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 children in tow. For a change of tempo, the adjoining provincial park has forest trails, birdwatching, and picnic areas shaded by towering bushes.
This traditional Lake Huron vacation spot additionally provides quick access to water sports activities like paddleboarding and jet snowboarding. It’s a seaside the place you possibly can pack a seaside chair, sit back, and make a full day of it. For this reason it’s our decide for the highest seashores in Ontario.
Good to know: Summer time weekends deliver large crowds. Arrive early to get parking near your most popular seaside space, and test the Ontario Parks web site for water high quality updates.
2. Grand Bend Seashore – Lake Huron
Grand Bend looks like a second residence 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 all the time one in every of Ontario’s authentic seaside cities. Again in highschool and school, highway journeys to Grand Bend have been a ceremony of passage. And for one summer time, I even carried out on the Huron Nation Playhouse, only a brief drive away.
The seaside itself has crystal clear waters, is huge and well-maintained, with delicate sand, a delegated swimming space, and seasonal lifeguards on obligation each day. There’s an extended boardwalk and a close-by pier, and Important Avenue is simply steps away, full of retailers, patios, and all of the ice cream you might need after a day within the solar. It nonetheless strikes that steadiness between family-friendly and fun-loving.
Good to know: Parking is on the market however fills up rapidly on sunny weekends. Stick round into the night—Grand Bend’s bar scene and reside music spots preserve issues vigorous lengthy after sundown.
3. Port Stanley Seashore – 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 every of Ontario’s go-to summer time spots, with out dropping its small-town allure. The principle seaside is huge, sandy, and gently sloped, which makes it preferrred for households and informal swimmers. The nice and cozy water here’s a nice shock for Nice 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 amenities, and shaded relaxation spots.
Good to know: Lifeguards are on obligation throughout summer time, and the seaside has accessible washrooms. Paid parking is on the market close to the shore, however weekend mornings can get busy.
4. Sauble Seashore – Lake Huron
We rolled into Sauble Seashore one Friday afternoon and instantly understood why it’s such a summer time magnet. The 11-kilometre shoreline has room for nearly every little thing—sunbathing, paddleboarding, kayaking, or grabbing ice cream between swims.
The city itself looks like a traditional Ontario seaside group, with burger joints, ice cream stands, and boardwalk strolls at sundown. The seaside is shallow for an extended stretch, making it preferrred for households and relaxed swims, whereas extra energetic guests can lease paddleboards or jet skis proper off the shore. Sauble Seashore can be one of the well-known seashores in Ontario for giant teams planning weekend getaways.
Good to know: Whereas entry is free, parking fills up quick on weekends and holidays. Convey change or use the cellular app for meters.
5. Sandbanks Provincial Park – Prince Edward County
Some seashores are finest for a day journey—Sandbanks is one you’ll wish to settle into. Positioned in Prince Edward County, the park is understood for its hanging sand dunes and lengthy, sandy stretches that really feel nearly misplaced in Ontario. It’s divided into three foremost seashores—Outlet Seashore, Dunes Seashore, and Lakeshore Seashore—every with its personal vibe. Outlet is probably the most family-friendly with mild waters; Dunes feels extra distant, tucked behind a rolling panorama; and Lakeshore is a stable center floor. Add in well-kept campgrounds, mountaineering trails, and close by wineries, and it’s no shock this place books out quick.
Whether or not you’re into swimming, mountaineering, or simply lounging on the white sand with a chilly drink, Sandbanks is a good 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 Seashore – Lake Ontario
Cobourg Seashore all the time surprises individuals who assume Lake Ontario can’t ship a correct seaside expertise. This one proves them unsuitable. Positioned simply over an hour east of Toronto, Cobourg’s Victoria Park Seashore is huge, sandy, and well-maintained, with a laid-back vibe that attracts each locals and guests all through the summer time.
The close by park is right for households, full with a playground and loads of house for picnics. The sand is delicate, the water is crystal clear, and the setting is postcard good.
Good to know: Lifeguards are on obligation throughout summer time. Parking is metered and might refill quick on weekends. Cobourg additionally hosts occasions just like the Sandcastle Competition, which is price 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 gives house for each leisure and reflection.
The water’s chilly, the seaside is extra pebbly than delicate, 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 strong 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 this can be a distant park—top off 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 inside the park, every a brief hike or bike trip from the campgrounds. The principle seaside space is sandy with shallow water, good for wading, swimming, or paddleboarding.
We’ve visited a number of instances, and it all the time feels extra secluded than the larger parks. Surrounded by forest and inland lakes, the world is peaceable and shaded by towering bushes. Don’t anticipate a boardwalk or meals stands—that is extra of a back-to-nature sort of seaside journey.
Good to know: Facilities are minimal, so deliver every little thing 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 every little thing—nice seashores, scenic mountaineering, and an actual sense of wilderness. Positioned on the japanese 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 traditional Georgian Bay—clear, cool, and extremely clear. Children can splash within the shallows whereas adults paddle out or sunbathe on the rocks. And the sunsets from Killbear Level? Simply a number of the finest within the province.
Good to know: There are a number of campgrounds inside the park, every with completely different seaside entry. The terrain may be uneven in locations, so water footwear and first rate strolling footwear turn out to be useful. Be careful for poison ivy—it’s widespread on this space.
10 Turkey Level Seashore – Lake Erie
Turkey Level may not get the identical highlight as Grand Bend or Wasaga, but it surely’s all the time 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 good for swimming, paddleboarding, or simply floating. It’s particularly widespread with large teams in search of a laid-back day on the coast.
The close by provincial park provides trails by way of the woods, and the world 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 test forward.
11. Bon Echo Provincial Park – Mazinaw Lake
Bon Echo is finest recognized for Mazinaw Rock, a towering cliff that rises 100 metres straight out of the lake, but it surely additionally has a stable seaside that’s price your time. The principle swimming space is situated close to the park’s South Seashore, 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 without doubt one of the most memorable issues you are able to do within the park. It’s a quiet sort of awe that sneaks up on you.
Good to know: South Seashore has washrooms, shaded picnic tables, and a delicate slope into the water. The lake will get deep rapidly, so sturdy swimmers will get extra out of it than waders.
12. Crystal Seashore – Lake Erie
Crystal Seashore has gone by way of fairly a metamorphosis over time. As soon as residence to a well-known amusement park, it’s now a well-kept seaside city with a clear, soft-sand shoreline that attracts households, day-trippers, and anybody in search of 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 Nice Lakes.
You’ll discover a small however vibrant native scene right here—ice cream retailers, a number of eating places, and seasonal occasions that give it a little bit of a throwback allure. The seaside has been cleaned up quite a bit in recent times, and now there’s an entrance payment that helps keep amenities, which embody washrooms, change rooms, and lifeguards in season. It’s an incredible spot to deliver a seaside chair and spend your complete day absorbing the solar.
Good to know: Entry is managed throughout summer time months and each day passes can promote out. E-book on-line in case you’re happening a weekend.
13. Hanlan’s Level Seashore – Toronto Islands
Hanlan’s Level is completely different from each different seaside on this record—and never simply because it’s clothing-optional. Positioned on the Toronto Islands, this seaside has lengthy been part of town’s different and LGBTQ+ tradition. It’s relaxed, open-minded, and an entire lot quieter than the mainland scene at Woodbine Seashore or Sugar Seashore.
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 sizzling 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 provides Hanlan’s its distinctive, inclusive environment. Should you’ve received time, a go to to the close by Gibraltar Level Lighthouse provides a little bit of historical past to your seaside day.
Good to know: The ferry trip from downtown Toronto takes about quarter-hour. Convey your individual snacks and drinks—companies on the island are restricted and spaced out.
14. Centre Island Seashore – Toronto Islands
We lived in Toronto for years, and Centre Island Seashore was all the time our go-to after we wanted a fast break from town. It’s additionally the place we had one in every of 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.
Only a brief ferry trip from downtown, Centre Island Seashore provides a clear, quiet stretch of sand with calm water, seasonal lifeguards, and a family-friendly environment. It’s a uncommon sort of place the place you possibly can swim, lease a motorcycle, seize a snack, and nonetheless really feel such as you’re removed from town.
Centreville Amusement Park is shut by, and the island’s paths are good for aimless wandering. Whether or not you’re right here for a number of hours or the entire day, it’s a simple, refreshing escape.
Good to know: The ferry will get busy on weekends—ebook forward in case you can. There are washrooms and meals stands close to the seaside, however bringing your individual snacks by no means hurts.
As you possibly can 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 provides strategy to seashores that might actually rival Caribbean locations.