The best Beaches of Ontario - Sauble Beach

Sauble Beach

Located on the shores of Lake Huron, over 11 km long Sauble Beach is one of the best summer getaways in Ontario.
Sauble Beach is said to be the second longest freshwater beach in the world after Wasaga Beach and it never has any shortage of room for visitors.

The beach is very shallow and warm in the summer, making this a popular destination for tourists and families with young children. With the beach facing west across Lake Huron, Sauble Beach is also the site of impressive sunset views that attract photographers.

With lots of activities at the beach such as swimming, fishing, water-skiing, windsurfing, tennis, street dances, beach volleyball, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, an annual Winterfest and an annual sandcastle contest you will never get bored.

Free high speed Internet is available at a number of local restaurants and snack bars, so you can stay connected while staying at the beach.

The Sauble Beach community of approximately 2000 people may soar over to 100,000 on a summer long weekend. Cottage owners are uniquely split between the outright property owners and located on the Native lands cottages.

Check out the Sauble Beach cottages for rent on the map below.

The best beaches of Ontario - Wasaga Beach

Wasaga Beach

Wasaga Beach is probably too famous to talk about. It's the longest (14 kilometers), freshwater beach in the world, full of white sand with warm, shallow and clean waters. This beautiful beach is one of the premier tourist attractions in Ontario. One of the best kept beach secrets are its endless hiking trails, cycling, cross country skiing, and snowmobiling.

Located just 1.5 hours north of Toronto it's a good place to go for a day trip. Wasaga Beach Provincial Park has eight beach areas (from east to west), with the busiest area being #1. Every area has its own washroom and change facilities. The entrance is free, however parking is not. You can also find parking on private properties close the beach. Many property owners make money on the parking.

The first Canadian overseas flight made Wasaga Beach famous when it took off from its sandy runway in 1934. The town of Wasaga Beach is a relatively small community of 17,000 full time and 16,000 seasonal and part time residents.

Enjoy cross country skiing and snowmobiling during the winter time. Visit the Nancy Island Historic Site when in the area. This island is located on Nottawasaga River and was amazingly formed by the silt deposits of the sunken Schooner Nancy, a British supply ship from the War of 1812.

There are a variety of accommodations available in Wasaga Beach such as motels, resorts and cottages. Check out cottages near Wasaga Beach on the map below.

The best beaches of Ontario - North Beach Provincial Park

North Beach Provincial Park

North Beach Provincial Park located near the famous Sandbanks and is a smaller version of it. It differs from the Sandbanks by being nearly empty the whole year. If you are traveling with a big group, it's better to choose this beach because in it you'll find plenty of free space. One side of it faces Lake Ontario, the other the tiny, but equally imposing, North Bay. The 1.2-kilometer ribbon of sand shelters tiny North Bay from Lake Ontario. North Bay has deeper water, however, Lake Ontario's water is more turbulent, so if you are planning to swim, remember that none are recommended for beginners. There is a huge parking lot, washrooms and a picnic area. A perfect place to spend a day at the beach or go fishing and sailing, enjoy beautiful sunsets.
Where is it? near Consecon, RR 3.

The best beaches of Ontario - Awenda Provincial Park

Awenda Provincial Park

This is rather a short beach (a string of several interconnected beaches) of only 1.2 km composed of sand and granite boulders, with clean water and sandbars that let you walk out in the lake forever. It is never crowded. There is a small picnic area and washrooms. What makes this beach unique are the huge granite rocks that jut out from the water. It is especially interesting for scuba divers.

Some people especially recommend the beach #4 even if it is the hardest to get to.

The campsites are really large, well-treed and private and you also can rent canoes. A great place to go even for day trip. Beautiful sunsets.

Where is it? north of Penetanguishene.

The best beaches of Ontario - Pinery Provincial Park

Pinery Provincial Park

This beach is composed of 10 km of white sand at Lake Huron. Its sandbars are great for families with children who can't swim very well. You will find a huge extension of swallow water to play. Lots of sand and party atmosphere in the nearby town of Grand Bend.
The beach is surrounded by an oak savanna, a type of woodland more coveted and more endangered than the Amazon rain forest itself. This woodland alone is worth a visit. Many types of fauna can be sighted: warblers, skinks and flying squirrels, and the park's savanna contains many unique species such as dwarf chinquapin oak, wild lupine, Olympia marblewing (butterfly) and eastern hognose snake. A dog beach located at picnic area 1, just off the Day Use Road.

Where is it? 5 km southwest of Grand Bend on Hwy 21

The best Beaches of Ontario - Big Sandy Bay

Big Sandy Bay, or Wolf Island Beach

It is on the tip of Wolfe Island, in the southwest part. This beach consists of 4 kilometers of secluded and unspoiled sand. Those who want to reach it must hike 1.3 kilometer from the nearest parking lot, so that it remains quiet. It is loved for its clear waters and clear sand. Additionally it is perfect for families with kids due to its shallow waters. Nature lovers will also appreciate its diverse, well-preserved ecology. Its dunes are interspersed with woods and wetland.

Big Sandy Beach is the best white sand beach in the whole region. Guaranteed mostly deserted in moderate Westerly or Southerly breezes because the bay's sandy bottom isn't safe for anchoring boats in anything but very light chop.

The area has been identified as an environmentally sensitive Area of Natural and Scientific Interest. Provincially and regionally significant birds, provincially rare trees and other rare plant species flourish here.

Where is it? Wolfe Island, 3rd Line Road, southwest of Kingston.

Canada's Travel Destinations - The best Beaches of Ontario - Sandbanks Provincial Park

Almost every Province in Canada has some amazing beaches and spectacular waterfronts. So we have decided to start a series of Canadian Beaches reviews, so our readers can decide where to go on their next weekend, or maybe for the next vacation staying in a cottage nearby.

Sandbanks Provincial Park

One of the many Ontario icons featured in a myriad of ads, it's one of the largest and most beautiful beaches in Ontario. With its towering dunes and quiet beauty, it is the ideal place to spend some time for all those who hate crowded beaches, but don't mind to see some folks around. You will find more native birds here than Jet Skis. From June to August, local flowers (sea rockets and sand cherries mainly) cover its huge dunes and further enhance its already amazing beauty.

Sandbanks has three sandy beaches - Outlet Beach, Sandbanks Beach and Dunes Beach with clean golden sand and sparkling water. It can keep your entire family and friends busy with all sorts of park activities such as sailing, canoeing, windsurfing, boating, swimming and sunbathing.
Camping is allowed.
Where is it? Southwest of Picton, 3004 County Road, 12. Or, see the map below.