Warm weather is here and the Toronto swimming beaches are open for the Spring/Summer season! Did you know that our Lake Ontario beaches are regularly listed on The Swim Guide‘s Blue Flag Beach list for exceptional environmental standards? However, it’s still a good idea to check the beach water quality rating before you head out, particularly early in the season and/or after a heavy rainfall. So, take a dip in our Guide to Swimming Beaches in Toronto…

Note: Learn more about beach safety to find out how to reduce the risks so you and/or your family can enjoy swimming.

Downtown/Toronto Islands

Centre Island Park Beach
Where: Outer south side of Centre Island (Toronto Islands)

  • Daily lifeguard supervision is from 10:30am-7:30pm
  • Take the ferry to Centre Island, walk past Centreville and stay straight at fountains
  • Park also includes bike trail, picnic areas, playground, pond, splash pad and washrooms

Gibraltar Point Beach 
Where: Outer south-west tip of Centre Island (west of Centre Island Park Beach)

  • Lifeguard supervision from 10:30 am-7:30pm
  • Take the ferry to Centre Island and head west from Centre Island Park Beach

Hanlan’s Point Beach
Where: Outer west Side of the Toronto Islands

  • Lifeguard supervision from 10:30 am-7:30pm
  • Take the ferry directly to Hanlan’s Point or walk/bike from Centre Island or Ward’s Island
  • Note: This beach is clothing-optional
  • Park includes bike trails, ball diamond, fire pits, lighthouse, volleyball court, picnic site, playground and washrooms

Ward’s Island Beach
Where: Outer south-east Side of Ward’s Island (Toronto Islands)

  • Lifeguard supervision from 10:30am-7:30pm
  • Take the ferry directly to Ward’s Island or walk/bike from Centre Island or Hanlan’s Point
  • Park includes bike trails, ball diamond, gazebo, outdoor table tennis, picnic site, playground and washrooms

East End

Cherry/Clarke Beach
Where: Foot of Cherry Street, South Portlands Area

  • Daily lifeguard supervision is from 10:30am-7:30pm
  • Parking is available
  • Park also includes bike trail, off-leash dog area, picnic areas and washrooms

Kew-Balmy Beach
Where: South of Queen St. East, Central and East Beach areas

  • Daily lifeguard supervision is from 10:30am-7:30pm
  • Parking is available in Balmy Beach Park
  • Park includes off-leash dog area, bike trail, bowling greens, gymnasium, outdoor table tennis and playground

Woodbine Beach
Where: Foot of Woodbine Avenue, West Beach area

  • Daily lifeguard supervision is from 10:30am-7:30pm
  • Parking is available
  • This beach has an accessible path leading all the way to the water’s edge, near the Donald. D. Summerville Pool entrance. It’s particularly handy for extra-hot days when the sand burns your feet!
  • Park includes restaurants, bike trails, two playgrounds, outdoor pool, beach volleyball courts, reservable picnic shelters, water bottle refill station and washrooms

West End

Sunnyside Beach
Where: Parkside Drive, South of Lakeshore Blvd. West

  • Daily lifeguard supervision is from 10:30am-7:30pm
  • Parking is available (but limited)
  • Park also includes bike trail, picnic areas, playground and washrooms

Scarborough

Bluffer’s Park Beach
Where: Foot of Brimley Road, Scarborough Bluffs Area

  • Daily lifeguard supervision is from 10:30am-7:30pm
  • Parking is available but limited. Lots fill up very quickly on weekends! When the lots are full, visitors must walk into the park along Brimley Road from Barkclene Hills Road
  • Park includes bike trail, picnic site and washrooms

Etobicoke

Marie Curtis Park East Beach
Where: 42nd Street, South of Lakeshore Blvd. West

  • Daily lifeguard supervision is from 10:30am-7:30pm
  • Parking is available
  • Park also includes bike trails, picnic areas, playground, splash pad, wading pool and washroom

Get out into nature with our list of Park events here!