Toronto is the capital of Ontario and Canada's largest city, home to about 2.8 million people on the north shore of Lake Ontario. This guide covers the CN Tower, museums, neighbourhood food, transit and practical costs for visitors.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Toronto.
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- Busy, sporty
- Lifeguards in season
- Washrooms
- Volleyball
- Boardwalk
- Parking
Woodbine Beach
Long sandy city beach with a boardwalk, volleyball courts and views of the skyline.
Editor’s tip. Arrive before late morning on hot weekends; nearby parking and street spaces fill early
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- Relaxed, neighbourhood
- Lifeguards in season
- Washrooms
- Boardwalk
Kew-Balmy Beach
Quieter eastern stretch of the Beaches boardwalk near Kew Gardens.
Editor’s tip. Take the TTC 501 Queen streetcar to Lee Ave rather than hunting for street parking
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- Casual, dog-friendly
- Lifeguards in season
- Washrooms
- Picnic areas
- Dog area
- Parking
Cherry Beach (Clarke Beach Park)
Long sandy beach with off-leash dog area and bike trail access; lifeguarded in season.
Editor’s tip. Check ttc.ca for current seasonal bus routing before travelling by transit
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- Family, scenic
- Lifeguards in season
- Washrooms
- Boardwalk
- Pavilion
- Parking
Sunnyside Beach
Sandy beach with boardwalk, Sunnyside Pavilion and the Gus Ryder Pool nearby.
Editor’s tip. Take the TTC 501 Queen streetcar to Sunnyside Loop and use the pedestrian bridge
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- Open and relaxed
- Lifeguards in season
- Washrooms
- Picnic areas
Hanlan's Point Beach
Wide island beach on the west side of the Toronto Islands; includes a signed clothing-optional section at the western end.
Editor’s tip. Buy City ferry tickets in advance of travel and note PRESTO is not accepted
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- Quiet
- Lifeguards in season
- Washrooms
- Picnic areas
Gibraltar Point Beach
Sandy island beach near the historic lighthouse, quieter than Centre Island.
Editor’s tip. Bring food and water because there is little commercial food at the beach
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- Family
- Lifeguards in season
- Washrooms
- Picnic areas
- Cafes
Centre Island Beach
Sandy lakefront near Centreville Amusement Park, Far Enough Farm and the pier.
Editor’s tip. Take an early ferry on hot weekends and holidays to avoid long queues
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- Calm, residential
- Lifeguards in season
- Washrooms
- Picnic areas
Ward's Island Beach
Beach at the eastern end of the islands beside the residential community.
Editor’s tip. Use the Ward's Island ferry route and check toronto.ca for the current schedule
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- Scenic, quieter
- Lifeguards in season
- Washrooms
- Picnic areas
- Boat launch
- Parking
Bluffer's Park Beach
Sandy beach and marina at the base of the Scarborough Bluffs.
Editor’s tip. Arrive early on warm weekends because the paid summer parking lot fills
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- Local
- Lifeguards in season
- Washrooms
- Picnic areas
- Playground
Marie Curtis Park East Beach
Lifeguarded beach at the Etobicoke Creek mouth, on the west edge of the city.
Editor’s tip. Check Toronto Public Health beach status before swimming, as advisories were issued in June 2026
Beaches by vibe
Pick by the mood you want — quiet, social, family, or active — and we point you at where that style lives along the coast.
Woodbine Beach
Woodbine Beach
Lively and sporty
Hanlan's Point Beach
Hanlan's Point Beach
Open and relaxed
Gibraltar Point Beach
Gibraltar Point Beach
Quiet
Bluffer's Park Beach
Bluffer's Park Beach
Scenic below the cliffs
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Toronto memorable.
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Toronto’s coast.
Is Woodbine Beach safe for swimming?
Lifeguards are on duty in season and Toronto Public Health samples the water daily from June to Labour Day. Swimmers should check posted advisories and avoid swimming for 24 to 48 hours after heavy rain.
From the Woodbine Beach editorial.
How do visitors get to Woodbine Beach without a car?
The TTC 501 Queen streetcar runs to Woodbine Avenue, from which the beach is a short walk south. Cyclists can also use the waterfront trail.
From the Woodbine Beach editorial.
How is Kew-Balmy Beach different from Woodbine Beach?
Kew-Balmy is quieter and more neighbourhood-oriented, with fewer organised sports. Woodbine Beach to the west is larger and busier, with volleyball courts.
From the Kew-Balmy Beach editorial.
Is Kew-Balmy Beach good for families?
Yes. The shoreline has a gradual entry, seasonal lifeguards, washrooms and nearby park space in Kew Gardens.
From the Kew-Balmy Beach editorial.
Does Cherry Beach have a dog area?
Yes, there is an off-leash dog area at the park, which is one of the beach's main draws for local dog owners.
From the Cherry Beach (Clarke Beach Park) editorial.
How do visitors get to Cherry Beach?
Cyclists can use the Martin Goodman Trail, drivers can park near Unwin Avenue, and TTC bus service runs to the area with seasonal routing that should be checked on ttc.ca.
From the Cherry Beach (Clarke Beach Park) editorial.
How do visitors reach Sunnyside Beach by transit?
The TTC 501 Queen streetcar goes to the Sunnyside Loop at Roncesvalles. A pedestrian bridge then leads to the waterfront.
From the Sunnyside Beach editorial.
Is Sunnyside Beach good for families?
Yes. It has seasonal lifeguards, washrooms, a boardwalk and a gradual shoreline, and the atmosphere is family-oriented.
From the Sunnyside Beach editorial.