What are the best beaches in Ontario to take your kids to? Living in southwestern Ontario, we are lucky to be living right in the middle of 3 of 5 of the great lakes. Ontario, Huron and Erie. Also, we have tons of smaller lakes, rivers and waterways. This provides tons of opportunities to get out onto the water in the warmer summer months.
When thinking of the beach, one usually thinks of white sand, turquoise water and palm trees. All of which can be found on our list of best beaches in Ontario.
Best Beaches in Ontario to Take Your Kids
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Crystal Beach
Being the shallowest of the great lake, Lake Erie is also the warmest. This makes it a favourite for many destination beaches, including Crystal Beach.
Named after the “crystal clear” waters, when the original town was founded, Crystal Beach has been a popular beach destination since 1898. Crystal Beach was also home to an amusement park until 1989 when the park closed due to increased competition from other attractions.
These days, the town has opened some of the amusement park’s lands to the public including a beautiful white sandy beach at Bay Beach park and waterfront access at Crystal Beach Waterfront Park
Where to stay near Crystal Beach
Cobourg Beach
This beautiful sandy beach is overlooked by many. Just over an hour outside of Toronto in Cobourg, on the shores of Lake Ontario. Cobourg Beach also known as Victoria Beach is a beautiful sandy beach, perfect for a warm summer’s day trip.
The beach is located and protected by the Cobourg Marina, providing warm safe waters to bring your little ones. The beach is maintained every day. With the town grooming the sand and clearing any litter. The Waterfront area also has a beautiful boardwalk, splash pads, playgrounds and tons of great shops and restaurants. It really creates a nice beach town atmosphere.
For those looking for a quieter more natural setting. Cobourg’s West Beach offers a chance to get away from the crowds of Victoria Beach. This small pebble beach provides a smaller naturalized beach for those looking for a quieter environment.
Where to stay near Cobourg Beach
Sandbanks Provincial Park
Probably the most well-known beaches in Ontario on this list, Sandbanks Provincial Park is located on Lake Ontario in Picton. Part of the picturesque Prince Edward County. Containing the world’s largest freshwater sand bar and dune system, Sandbanks Provincial Park contains 3 beautiful, white sandy beaches. Outlet Beach is recommended for families, with shallower waters and a gentle drop off.
Due to its popularity, Sandbanks gets extremely crowded. Lines have been known to stretch for kilometres on long weekends. With people eventually having to be turned away. We recommend either coming very early or booking a campsite in the park. These also get booked up quickly, so be sure to plan ahead.
Where to stay near Sandbanks Provincial Park
Port Stanley Beach
Another beach town located along the warm Lake Erie shores, Port Stanley offers 2 world-class beaches. The warm water and sandy bottom that drops off gradually make it a great choice for kids. As well, there is a smaller secondary beach if you want to get away from the crowds.
The town has tons of great boutiques and shops. As well as the Port Stanley Terminal Rail. Here you can ride a train to St. Thomas and the Elgin County Railway Museum on some of the oldest tracks in Canada.
Where to stay near Port Stanley
Pinery Provincial Park
One of our favourite beaches in Ontario. Pinery Provincial Park is located by Grand Bend, on the southern shores of Lake Huron. Part of a unique Oak Savanna and Coastal Dune Ecosystem, Pinery Provincial Park has 10 km of beautiful sandy beaches with 21 square kilometres of rare forests and rolling sand dunes.
The park is also home to the Old Ausable Channel – a provincially significant wetland. Here you can take out a kayak, canoe or paddleboat and explore the extraordinary biodiversity of the wetland.
Even if you ever run out of things to do in the park itself. Grand Bend has a great main drag and also hosts a ton of great activities such as parasailing or jet skiing.
Where to stay near Pinery Provincial Park?
Port Dover Beach
Known for its Friday the 13th celebrations, Port Dover actually has one of the nicest beaches in Ontario. Located on the north shores of Lake Erie, the beautiful sandy beach comes complete with palm trees! Yes, the owner of The Beach House restaurant has a set of palm trees. He plants the trees on the beach, late each spring. Then stores them in a local barn during the winter, until it is warm enough to plant them again next year. Just a small touch makes such a huge difference in the atmosphere.
As well as its beautiful sandy beach, Port Dover also has a scenic pier, quaint downtown area and cute waterfall. The town also played a pivotal role in the war of 1812 against the US. With many historical plaques littered around the town, retelling stories of Canadian British forces defeating the Americans.
Where to stay near Port Dover Beach?
Bluewater
Located along the southwestern shores of Georgian Bay is the little township of Tiny, Ontario. Tiny contains 70km of beautiful shoreline and 5 beaches. Woodland Beach, Bluewater Beach, Jackson Park, Balm Beach and Lafontaine Beach Park.
The Bluewater area also contains the cute historical village of Bayfield. Here you can explore the main street area that contains several historical buildings dating back to the village’s foundation in 1832.
Where to stay near Bluewater
Innisfil Beach Park
Innisfil Beach Park is a lesser-known park containing, not 1 but 5 sandy beaches. Located along the southern shores of Lake Simcoe, just outside of Barrie, Innisfil Beach Park is a great place for kids, as the smaller lake provides warmer and calmer waters for your little one.
Additionally, the park also contains baseball diamonds, pavilions, snack bars, two soccer pitches, a playground, and tons of picnic tables. A great place to set up your annual family summer barbeque.
As with others on this list, Innisfil also has a smaller secondary beach at the end of 10th Line in Innisfil for those looking to get away from the crowd.
Where to stay near Innisfil Beach Park?
Long Point
Jutting out into Lake Erie, Long Point has one of the best beaches in Ontario. The massive sand dune formation is the largest erosion deposit formation in the great lakes. The 40-kilometre-long sandspit was recognized as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in 1986, containing numerous ecological or geological significant zones.
As well as providing kilometres of white sandy beaches along Lake Erie’s warm shores. Long Point also creates a massive bay that is renowned for its fishing.
Long Point also has one of the largest bird and waterfowl migration and staging areas in North America. The Long Point Bird Observatory is a great place to do some bird watching.
Where to stay near Long Point?
Sauble Beach
One of the most popular beaches in Ontario Sauble Beach is located at the base of the Bruce Peninsula on Lake Huron. The 11km sandy beach is one of the longest in Ontario and the beach’s sandbar deposits building out along the shoreline keep the water very shallow and warm, great for those with young children.
Due to its popularity, Sauble gets extremely busy during the summer months, so be sure to come early to get a spot.
Where to stay near Sauble Beach?
Bruce Peninsula National Park
No list of beaches in Ontario would be complete without mentioning Bruce Peninsula National Park. Although not a white sandy beach, Bruce Peninsula does have beautiful turquoise waters. Add to that the stunning Canadian Shield rock formations and a hidden grotto, and the Bruce Peninsula is a must-visit beach.