Not only is Toronto the financial and cultural capital of Canada, but its an ideal place to take a dip on a warm summer day. Eleven beaches stretch along the city's shoreline on Lake Ontario, with eight achieving Blue Flag status for exceptional cleanliness and water quality. Although the beaches take up about 7.5 miles of shoreline, each has its own distinct feel.
On the Outer Edges
- Bluffer's Park nestles at the feet of the Scarborough Bluffs, giving it a wild, remote feel. The beach is the easternmost of Toronto's 11 beaches. Storm-water ponds at the park's west end catch runoff to keep beach water within acceptable bacterial levels. The park has boardwalks, lifeguards, picnic facilities and restrooms. At the far western end of the Toronto beaches, Woodbine Beach has more than 90 beach-volleyball courts, and a boardwalk stretching three 1.8 miles lined with restaurants and shops.
Going to the Dogs
- Kew-Balmy Beach lies immediately east of Woodbine Beach, with areas of soft sand flanked by pebbles along the water's edge. An off-leash dog park lets you romp in the waves with your dog in an area with secure fencing and a lot of trees and bushes on shore for your dog to explore. The human-only area of Kew Balmy has a beachfront snack bar, ice rink and lifeguards on duty. Restrooms are on the eastern end of the beach. Dogs also are allowed at Cherry Beach, with an off-leash area provided. The beach is less developed, with natural grass poking from the sand and algae covering rocks in the water. A few grills and picnic tables lie at the north end of the beach.
Island Getaways
- Head to the islands just off the city's shore accessible by ferry. Bring the kids to Centre Island, where you can hit the beach and take in the Franklin Children's Garden and Centerville Amusement Park. A footbridge leads to the beach, shielded from strong waves by a break wall. The beach is sand and rock, with restrooms, concessions and restaurants within walking distance. Gibralter Point Beach is behind Island Park on Center Island, flanked by a stand of cottonwoods. Ward's Island Beach is in a quiet residential area tucked behind a dune system. Hanlan's Point has volleyball courts and a clothing-optional area protected by bushes and trees.
Look on the Sunnyside
- Only three beaches are not designated as Blue Flag but are regularly monitored from September through June for water quality. On Toronto's west end, Sunnyside Beach's water quality diminishes when rains increase runoff from the Humber River. The Sunnyside-Bug Ryder Outdoor Pool offers an on-site alternative to the lake water. Afternoon swimming sessions are open to the public, and morning sessions are set aside for swimming lessons and adult lap swimming. Marie Curtis Park's East Beach tucks along the Etobicoke Creek, with bacteria levels spiking to unsafe levels after heavy rainfall. The Rouge River flows into Lake Ontario along Rouge Beach's eastern end, creating a shallow, scenic swimming area that declines in water quality during times of heavy runoff.
