Complete guide to the Toronto Islands: ferry prices & schedules, all beaches, Centreville maze, Babe Ruth's first home run, the Gibraltar Point ghost, Ward's Island community, cycling, kayaking, camping. Updated for 2026.
Ferry from Jack Layton Ferry Terminal at the foot of Bay Street (near Harbour Square). Three routes: Centre Island (every 15–30 min peak season), Ward's Island (every 30–60 min), and Hanlan's Point (every 30–60 min). The ferry crossing takes 13–15 minutes. Book tickets online at toronto.ca/ferry to skip the queue — highly recommended on summer weekends.
Round-trip ferry: $9.57 adults, $5.88 seniors/youth (13–17), $3.61 children (2–12), free under 2. You can buy at the terminal or online. Online booking is strongly recommended on hot summer weekends when queues can be 2+ hours.
Yes — bike and surrey (quadricycle) rentals are available at Centre Island near the ferry dock. Bikes rent by the hour. You can also bring your own bike on the ferry for a small fee, or rent an e-bike from vendors near the terminal. The island has 12+ km of flat car-free paths — cycling is the best way to see everything.
Yes — the southern section of Hanlan's Point Beach is Toronto's designated clothing-optional (naturist) beach, one of the few legal naturist beaches in Canada. The northern section near the ferry dock is clothing-required. The beach has been associated with Toronto's LGBTQ+ community since the 1970s. Take the Hanlan's Point ferry — it's much less crowded than the Centre Island route.
Centreville is a small amusement park on Centre Island, open from mid-May through Labour Day. It has 30+ rides designed for families with young children — the antique carousel (1890), a log flume, miniature train, and the William Meany Hedge Maze. Admission is per-ride or via an all-day wristband. Charming, low-key, genuinely fun for kids under 12.
Yes — the William Meany Hedge Maze is inside Centreville Amusement Park on Centre Island. It's a classic hedge maze included with park entry, popular with families. The maze is named after one of the original operators of the Centreville park when it opened in 1967.
Yes — on September 5, 1914, Babe Ruth hit his first professional home run at Hanlan's Point Stadium while playing for the Providence Grays against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the International League. The ball reportedly landed in Toronto Bay. Ruth was 19 years old. A plaque commemorated the spot, which is now under the Billy Bishop Airport runway.
Yes — Toronto Island Park has a campground that allows overnight stays from mid-May through September. Sites must be booked in advance through the City of Toronto parks reservation system at toronto.ca. It's one of the most unique camping spots in Canada — you're on an island, car-free, 15 minutes by ferry from a major city skyline.
About 650 people live year-round on Ward's Island and Algonquin Island in a small residential community of cottages and houses. The community fought the City of Toronto for 40 years after the provincial government ordered residents evicted in 1953. They finally won a 99-year land lease in 1993. The Rectory Café near the Ward's Island ferry dock is run by and for this community.
The islands are open year-round but ferry service is reduced to Ward's Island only in winter (Centre Island and Hanlan's ferries don't run). The winter islands are hauntingly beautiful — empty trails, dramatic lake views, the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse meadow dusted with snow. Some island residents cross-country ski after snowfall. Not a conventional tourist destination in winter, but absolutely worth it for the experience.
WTF Toronto creates guides using independent editorial research, official sources, local knowledge and firsthand experience where available. Commercial relationships are disclosed where applicable.