Summer is here and our city is heating up! If all this warm weather has you in the mood for a beach day, these Toronto beaches are ideal for swimming.
All of these beaches have received Blue Flag designation for 2023.
According to the clean water advocacy organization Swim Drink Fish, the Blue Flag is given to beaches that meet strict water quality and safety criteria.
These beaches are certified annually as being clean, accessible, eco-friendly, and having great water quality.
So grab your swimsuit and enjoy a carefree dip at these Toronto beaches!
Bluffer’s Park Beach
This beach is the ultimate come-up story. It used to have some of Toronto’s worst water quality but after a major study and investment from the City, it improved dramatically, says Swim Drink Fish.
Now, it is recognized as a Blue Flag beach and is a popular spot to swim, paddle, and even fish.
Where: 1 Brimley Road South
Centre Island Beach
Located on the Toronto Islands, this popular beach has slightly warmer waters due to the rock breakwater providing a barrier from the open lake, says Swim Drink Fish.
However, this breakwater also makes it harder for clean water to enter the area and signage is updated if the water is not safe for swimming.
Where: Toronto Island Park, 9 Queens Quay West
Cherry Beach
Cherry Beach is usually one of the cleanest beaches in mainland Toronto. It has received various upgrades over time as part of the City’s Waterfront Redevelopment Project.
Pup parents will love Cherry Beach as a large section of it is an off leash paradise for dogs.
Where: 1 Cherry Street
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Gibraltar Point Beach
This hidden gem beach on the Islands is an Environmentally Significant Area for the rare species that inhabit the area.
The picturesque landscape of the last-remaining Gibraltar Beach Sand Dunes also makes for some great photo ops.
Where: Between Hanlan’s Point and Centre Island
Hanlan’s Point Beach
Bordered by vegetated sand dunes, this popular spot is Toronto’s only clothing-optional beach and has been rated one of the world’s best places to sunbathe in the nude.
Beach-goers enjoy wading into the waters of Hanlan’s Point, which meets the Blue Flag standard for strict water quality and safety criteria.
Where: Hanlan’s Point, Toronto Islands
Kew-Balmy Beach
This beach has a long history of being one of Toronto’s most popular beaches for events, attractions, and festivals.
At the eastern end of the beach, you’ll find the Robert Harris Water Filtration Plant, which Swim Drink Fish describes as “a gorgeous art deco palace.”
Where: Balmy Beach Park, 1 Beech Avenue
Ward’s Island Beach
This beach on the Toronto Islands is slightly sheltered by the Leslie Spit, which creates calm waters that are perfect for swimming.
It’s also a “treasure trove for beach glass because the current brings the wave-smoothed glass to the shore,” says Swim Drink Fish.
Where: Ward’s Island, Toronto Islands
Woodbine Beach
Easily the busiest and most popular beach in Toronto, Woodbine is always busy throughout the summer months for its beach volleyball courts, boardwalk, sandy shoreline, and water quality standards.
Where: 1675 Lake Shore Boulevard East
