From building castles in the sand and splashing in the water, to eating ice cream cones while walking on the boardwalk, beaches are places where summer memories are made.
This summer, look for a Blue Flag to find a family-friendly Ontario beach near you. Blue Flag is a global eco-certification program for beaches and marinas that meet a set of strict international criteria under four categories: environmental education, environmental management, water quality, and safety and services. T
The program is run internationally by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). In Canada, Environmental Defence, a national environmental charity, administers the program.
No matter where in the world, when you see a Blue Flag flying, you know that a beach is clean, meets high safety standards, is sustainably managed, and has excellent water quality for swimming. In Canada, 26 beaches fly the flag—19 of which are in Ontario! There are more than 4,000 Blue Flags flying in 49 countries around the world.
Here’s a closer look at six of the Blue Flag beaches in Ontario.
**Note that some beaches have been affected by flooding as of early summer 2017. Be sure to check conditions before you go.
Bayfield Main Beach
PHOTO: TRACER.CA/FLICKR CC
Bayfield Main Beach is in Bayfield, Ontario, on the shores of Lake Huron. This beach contains naturally sensitive features including dunes and bluffs. The pier at the north end of the beach is a great spot for boat-watching, fishing, or strolling at sunset. A pedestrian walkway just east of the beach connects visitors to Bayfield’s scenic Main Street.
Getting there: 3-hour drive west of Toronto (map it)
Bell Park Beach
A large municipal park in Greater Sudbury, Bell Park is on the western shore of Lake Ramsey. This beach is known for hosting a number of seasonal events, such as the Northern Lights Festival Boreal, Summerfest, and the Sudbury Dragon Boat Races. The park also has an amphitheatre, two gazebos, and a children’s play-area.
Getting there: 4-hour drive north of Toronto (map it)
Grand Bend Beach
In Southwestern Ontario, Grand Bend Beach consists of approximately 20 acres of beautiful sandy beach along the Lake Huron shoreline. Near the beach is Grand Bend’s exciting and vibrant downtown with dozens of restaurants, snack bars, and more—all within walking distance. The beach also offers many different activities, such as splash pads and playgrounds for kids, volleyball nets, and a boardwalk to take an afternoon stroll.
Getting there: 3-hour drive west of Toronto (map it)
Victoria Beach
Less than 90 minutes east of Toronto, Victoria Beach is in the historic town of Cobourg and attracts thousands of visitors every year. This long white stretch of sand along Lake Ontario is a quiet respite from the big city or a social hub for gathering friends and family, and offers a playground, a boardwalk, and tons of places to have a picnic. It’s the perfect combination of fresh air, scenery, and a sense of community.
Getting there: 1½-hour drive east of Toronto (map it)
Wasaga Beach
On Georgian Bay, Wasaga Beach is not only the longest freshwater beach in the world with 14 km of safe, sandy shore, but the sunsets are breathtaking. Part of a provincial park, Wasaga Beach offers recreational trails, canoeing, and boating. Also, a record number of Piping Plovers—an endangered bird that is currently under protection—have been spotted on the beaches this year.
Getting there: 2-hour drive north of Toronto (map it)
Woodbine Beach
PHOTO: DON GUNN/FLICKR CC
Right in Toronto, Woodbine Beach is a large sandy beach along the eastern shore of Toronto’s waterfront. It is a popular spot for picnics, sunbathing, and swimming with wide stretches of sand, summer lifeguards, a bathing station, and the Donald D. Summerville Outdoor Olympic Pool nearby. An urban beach, it is easily accessible from downtown Toronto hotels.
Getting there: East end of Toronto, via Lake Shore Blvd. (map it)
To see the full list of Blue Flag beaches in Ontario and the rest of Canada, visit blueflag.ca.
Ashley Wallis is the Blue Flag Program Manager for Environmental Defence.
Sandbanks Provincial Park is renowned for gorgeous soft sand and endless beaches, safe shallow waters and epic sunsets, as well as being a great base to explore Prince Edward County s pastoral wine country. And you can check see world s largest freshwater baymouth dune system off your bucket list. Last year, the park s Outlet Beach achieved Blue Flag status, only the second Provincial Park in Ontario to receive this honour for high quality beach management based on environment, education, safety, and accessibility.