Hanlan's Point Beach

Hanlan's Point Beach is a wide sandy island beach on the west side of the Toronto Islands in Lake Ontario, part of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The beach is reached by city ferry from the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal at 9 Queens Quay W, with a crossing of about 15 minutes. The sand is soft and pale, the shoreline is long and open, and the water is freshwater lake water that is often clear and blue-green on calm days. The beach faces open water, so wind and moderate waves are possible, and the broad sand gives a feeling of space that is uncommon within the city. The atmosphere is open and relaxed, and it is generally quieter than the beaches near the Centre Island ferry dock. A signed clothing-optional section sits at the western end of the beach, which is clearly marked, so visitors who prefer a conventional beach experience should stay east of the signs. The skyline of downtown Toronto rises across the water to the northeast, which makes the beach a favourite for photography and sunset watching. Amenities include seasonal lifeguards, washrooms and picnic areas; food options on the island are limited compared with the mainland, so visitors often bring their own supplies. Toronto Public Health samples the water daily from June to Labour Day, and swimmers should check posted advisories and avoid swimming for 24 to 48 hours after heavy rain. Access depends on the ferry. The adult round trip fare is about CAD $9.57 (US $6.90), tickets are sold by the City, PRESTO cards are not accepted, and the schedule varies by season, so toronto.ca should be checked before travelling. The ferry to Hanlan's Point runs on its own route, and from the dock the beach is a walk of roughly ten to fifteen minutes through parkland. Cycling is popular on the islands, and the flat paths make the trip easy. Lines for the ferry can be long on hot weekends, so early departures are advised. Hanlan's Point is also close to the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, so aircraft are sometimes visible and audible from the beach.