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Summary

This Ontario Town Is A Secret Summer Oasis With 6 White Sand Beaches & Magical Sunsets

Time to put on your swimsuit!

Woman standing on a sandy beach. Right: Two women sitting outside with drinks.

Woman standing on a sandy beach. Right: Two women sitting outside with drinks.

Lead Writer, Travel

Ontario is full of gorgeous summer destinations, and if you love spending the season by the water, then this cute beach town is right up your alley.

Port Elgin is a dreamy village located on the shores of Lake Huron, about a three-hour drive from Toronto. The area boasts local boutiques, restaurants, and sandy beaches with endless swimming.

You can enjoy three kilometres of soft beaches when spending the day here. There are six white sand beaches in total, and you can imagine you're on a tropical vacay. The main beach has a wheelchair-accessible paved walkway and long stretches of blue water.

If you're looking for somewhere quieter, you can head to the hidden Shipley Beach. This secret oasis feels like your own private shoreline, but parking is limited. Both beaches boast warm, shallow waters and "spectacular sunsets."

The town itself has lots of quaint local shops and eateries. Enjoy a coffee at Rabbit Dash Coffee House, or grab a meal at The Wismer House. There are some cycling trails to explore as well as scenic walking trails and a Farmers Market.

The town is close to Southampton, another beach destination, so you could visit both spots in one day. There are several other beautiful beach towns to check out in the province, including one with warm waters and East Coast vibes .

If you're looking for a little summer escape, this lakeside village has white sand beaches, gorgeous sunsets, and cute shops to explore.

Port Elgin

Address: Port Elgin, ON

Why You Need To Go: This beach town is a gorgeous summer destination with sandy beaches and blue water.

Website

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.

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  • Lead Writer

    Madeline Forsyth is a Toronto-based Lead Writer for Narcity Media. After earning her B.A. (Hons) at Queen's University, she spent a year travelling much of the world as a flight attendant. Now, she uses her experience in the travel industry and passion for writing to share stories about buzzworthy events and adventures across Canada and the globe. Madeline has been published in PopSugar and has interviewed sports and entertainment personalities for Narcity. She has covered and photographed restaurant openings as well as event launches such as the world premiere of the Dr. Seuss Experience. Some of her favourite things to write about include charming small towns and anything to do with Harry Potter.