10 cute Ontario beach towns with dreamy streets and sun-kissed shores to visit this summer
Who's ready for a beach day?
An Ontario beach. Right: An ice cream parlour in an Ontario town.
Pack your beach bag! With summer in full swing, it's the perfect time to plan a beach getaway. Ontario has lots of charming beach towns where you'll find shining waters, sandy shores and cute shops.
You can road trip to some quaint coastal villages for a fun warm-weather outing. From white sand shores to cute ice cream parlours and sparkling waves, these small towns are brimming with summer vibes.
Here are 10 dreamy beach towns in Ontario to visit this summer.
Wasaga Beach
Address: Wasaga, ON
Why You Need To Go: If you're dreaming of white sand shores and sparkling waves, Wasaga Beach is worth a road trip. The destination is about an hour and a half from Toronto and is a beautiful place to spend a summer day.
The town is home to "the World’s Longest Freshwater Beach" as well as "one of Ontario’s most unique coastal dune ecosystems," according to the website.
You'll find 14 kilometres of soft sand shores, endless blue waters and stunning views of South Georgian Bay at this spot.
The town has lots of restaurants and places where you can grab a treat by the water during your visit.
Sauble Beach
Address: Sauble Beach, ON
Why You Need To Go: Sauble Beach is brimming with coastal vibes and is a fun spot to spend a summer day or longer.
The town boasts 7 kilometres of dreamy white sand shores along the fresh waters of Lake Huron.
The destination is "Canada’s #1 rated freshwater beach," according to the website and is also known as the "Daytona of the North."
Once you're done soaking up some sun on the beach, you can wander around the small town and check out the cute local shops, treat yourself to food and ice cream and visit some of the attractions like mini golf and the arcade.
Port Stanley
Address: Port Stanley, ON
Why You Need To Go: Port Stanley will whisk you away to the east coast and offers beautiful beaches for swimming and sunbathing.
According to Ontario's Southwest, "Port Stanley's Main Beach is a long beach with one of the finest stretches of sandy beach on Lake Erie's north shore."
You can take a dip in the warm waters, bask in the soft sand and soak up the gorgeous views at this spot. The quaint beach town is full of cute local shops and restaurants to enjoy. Don't forget to grab a cone from Broderick’s!
Cobourg
Address: Cobourg, ON
Why You Need To Go: If you're dreaming of small town charm and tropical vibes, Cobourg is worth a summer trip. The idyllic beach town is only an hour away from Toronto and features quaint streets and crystal waves.
According to Experience Cobourg, you'll feel like you're "sitting somewhere ocean-side in the Caribbean."
The town's streets are lined with local shops where you can find clothing, home goods, thrifting, art, health and beauty and more.
There are tons of restaurants and eateries to check out, including bakeries and fast food spots that will satisfy all your cravings.
Grand Bend
Address: Grand Bend, ON
Why You Need To Go: Nestled on the soft shores of Lake Huron, this dreamy small town is the place to go for warm-weather fun.
Grand Bend is known as "one of Canada's best beach towns," according to Lambton Shores and is a popular spot to spend a sunny afternoon.
The town boasts lots of restaurants, shops and more and is located close to Pinery Provincial Park, where you can find more sandy beaches and crystal waters.
Grand Bend is known for its sunsets, which transform the sky with bright colours of red, yellow and pink.
Port Elgin
Address: Port Elgin, ON
Why You Need To Go: If white sand beaches and cute shops sound like your idea of a perfect summer getaway, you'll want to take a trip to this small Ontario town. Port Elgin boasts six dreamy white sand beaches which are "one of Ontario best kept vacation secrets," according to the website.
You can spend the day enjoying kilometres of fine sandy shores and taking a dip in the pristine waters of Lake Huron.
The town offers lots of local shops to visit as well as bakeries, cafes and more. You'll want to stay late so you can catch one of the renowned sunsets.
Fort Erie
Address: Fort Erie, ON
Why You Need To Go: Situated on the shores of Lake Erie, Fort Erie "offers a captivating journey through time with its rich heritage sites, vibrant cultural scene, and stunning landscapes," according to the website.
The town is home to the white sand Bay Beach, also known as Crystal Beach. In order to enjoy the beach, you'll need to purchase a day pass.
The shoreline boasts white sand and sparkling waters, while the surrounding area is full of boutiques, restaurants and more to explore.
Picton
Address: Picton, ON
Why You Need To Go: Located in the gorgeous community of Prince Edward County, this idyllic beach town is a dreamy spot for a summer escape.
One of the main draws of the town is Sandbanks Provincial Park, where you'll find three beautiful white sand beaches as well as the "world’s largest baymouth barrier dune formation," according to the park's website.
You can spend the day soaking up some sun on the dune-filled shores and hiking through the gorgeous scenery on the surrounding trails.
The town of Picton is an enchanting spot to spend an afternoon, with charming shops and several wineries where you can relax with a drink.
Southampton
Address: Southampton, ON
Why You Need To Go: Southampton is known for its dreamy shoreline and charming streets. It's home to a "beautiful and unspoiled sandy beach" that stretches for kilometres.
You can wander past the rare dunes, take in the famous sunsets and more at this coastal destination.
The town offers cozy cafes and shops where you can find all sorts of unique items.
Brighton
Address: Brighton, ON
Why You Need To Go: Brighton is a "vacation gem" located in eastern Ontario, according to Northumberland Tourism. The small town is home to one of Ontario’s longest sandy beaches at Presqu'ile Provincial Park and it's a magical spot to spend a summer day.
In the town, you'll find restaurants, patios, cafes, local shops and more to enjoy after a day spent in the sun.
Enjoy some beach time at these cute small towns across the province.
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.