The best beaches in Toronto for summer 2026 — Woodbine Beach, Cherry Beach, Sunnyside, Kew-Balmy, Hanlan's Point. Water quality info, how to get there, parking, and what each beach is best for.
Toronto sits on the north shore of Lake Ontario and has over 15 km of sandy beaches accessible entirely within the city. Water quality has improved significantly over the last two decades — the city now tests all beaches regularly and posts results online. Most summer days, most beaches are swimmable.
Check water quality before you go The City of Toronto posts daily beach water quality at toronto.ca/beach. Some beaches temporarily close after heavy rain due to stormwater runoff. Takes 30 seconds to check and saves a wasted trip.
The longest continuous sandy beach in the city, running east from Woodbine Ave along Lake Shore Blvd E. This is the best beach for families — wide, sandy, gentle slope into the water, volleyball courts, shower facilities, and lifeguards in peak season. The Beaches neighbourhood begins here and stretches east along Queen East with excellent restaurants and cafés a short walk away.
Just east of Woodbine, through the Beaches neighbourhood, this stretch has the boardwalk, the wooden gazebos, and the cottage-country feel that makes the Beaches neighbourhood what it is. The water here is good for swimming, the boardwalk is excellent for an evening walk, and Queen East restaurants are minutes away.
West of downtown, in the Port Lands near the Leslie Spit, Cherry Beach is less crowded than the Beaches area and has a different character — more dog walkers, cyclists, and on summer evenings, sometimes outdoor music events in the parking lot. The water is calm (protected by the Leslie Spit), usually clean, and the sunsets here looking back at the skyline are excellent.
The stretch of waterfront along Lake Shore Blvd W between Roncesvalles and the Humber River is Sunnyside — one of the most vibrant urban beach scenes in the city. The original Sunnyside Amusement Park was demolished to build the Gardiner Expressway in the 1950s, but what remains is a boardwalk, a restored 1922 lido pool (the Sunnyside Bathing Pavilion), volleyball courts, and a good café scene.
Sunnyside Bathing Pavilion The historic 1922 Bathing Pavilion houses an excellent restaurant/bar (the Pavilion Café) right on the water. The outdoor pool runs from mid-June through September — outdoor lap swimming with a lake view is genuinely one of the best summer experiences in Toronto and it costs less than $5.
For the best beach experience in the city, the ferry to Hanlan's Point (15 minutes from downtown) gets you to a beach that feels like it's nowhere near a major city. Less crowded than mainland beaches, maintained sand, and a clothing-optional section at the western tip. Requires a ferry ticket but worth it on a hot day.
Toronto Islands Guide → — Full guide to the Toronto Islands, ferry times, and more
Most Toronto beaches are safe to swim at on most summer days. The city tests water quality daily and posts results at toronto.ca/beach. Some beaches temporarily close after heavy rain. Always check the water quality rating before swimming.
For families: Woodbine Beach (longest sandy beach, good facilities, lifeguards). For a quieter experience: Cherry Beach or Ward's Island. For a full beach day away from the city: Hanlan's Point on the Toronto Islands. The best depends on what you're after.
Yes — the western section of Hanlan's Point beach on the Toronto Islands has been officially clothing-optional since 1999. It is clearly marked and separated from the regular beach area.
Yes — the City of Toronto provides lifeguard services at Woodbine Beach, Kew-Balmy Beach, and Sunnyside Beach during peak summer months (typically mid-June through Labour Day). Cherry Beach does not have lifeguards.
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