Here at Swim Guide we want Torontonians and Toronto visitors to find a great place to swim this August long weekend! That’s why we have made a list of Toronto beaches with up-to-date information on their current state. At the top of the list you will find beaches with higher water quality results and ones least affected by the spring flooding. We have also listed the closed beaches at the bottom of the list, so make sure you don’t plan a trip to one of these locations.
During the spring and into summer, Lake Ontario experienced very high water levels. Toronto beaches bore the full effects of the historic water levels. The water level had major impacts on many bathing beaches and recreational water spots in the city. The majority of beaches were closed for the first half of summer and some will remain closed for the remainder of the swim season. The City of Toronto reopened the Toronto Island Park on July 31st, just in time for the August Long Weekend. However, even though beaches are listed as open or partially open by the city, some beaches are not in the best of shape to host a beach day because of the flooding.
The city monitored the recreational water quality at these beaches for the entirety of the swim season despite their closures. Be aware the Centre Island beach is the only beach that passed 95% of recreational water quality tests conducted in 2017. The water quality at all other GTA beaches fell below this standard of excellence.(The Ontario Ministry of the Environment 1994 Procedure F-5-5 standard for water quality for cities with combined sewers requires beaches to meet water quality standards 95% of the swim season.)
Just a reminder to check for up-to-date water quality results on the Swim Guide website, or download the app. Also, because so many beaches are only partially open make sure to check this City of Toronto website for information on beach closures during the August Long Weekend.
Here’s a list of the beaches of Toronto along with their current state of beach day readiness.
Centre Island (open)
Ward’s Island Beach (open)
Hanlan’s Point (open)
Woodbine beach (partially open)
Bluffers Beach (partially open)
Kew-Balmy (partially open)
Gibraltar (closed)
Not finding a beach that meets your expectations or suits your needs? Many, many fantastic swim options exist in Ontario!
Happy Swimming!
Swim Guide divulgue les meilleures données que nous possédons au moment où vous voulez les consulter. Obéissez toujours aux avis affichés sur les plages ou diffusés par les organismes gouvernementaux. Restez vigilant et vérifiez s’il y a d’autres risques pour les baigneurs, comme les marées et les courants dangereux. Veuillez signaler les cas de pollution qui vous préoccupent pour que les affiliés puissent assurer la sécurité des personnes qui fréquentent les plages.
Swim Guide, les icônes représentant la baignade, un verre d’eau et la pêche, et les marques de commerce qui y sont associées appartiennent à l’organisme Lake Ontario Waterkeeper.
© Lake Ontario Waterkeeper, 2011 - 2018