Hanlan’s Point Beach
Lakeshore Ave, Toronto, Canada
When the sun’s out, the bums are out at Hanlan’s Point Beach, home to Toronto’s favorite clothing-optional strip of sand (plus a suited-up area, too). Located on the Toronto Islands in Lake Ontario, the beach is a short ferry ride from downtown Toronto. In the summer, it’s a rewarding day-trip destination, with good swimming and biking trails.
The basics
Hanlan’s Point has been a popular vacation spot since the late 19th century. As the site of Canada’s first Pride celebration in 1971, it also has a strong LGBTQ+ history and has been a queer-friendly meeting spot. A 0.6-mile (1-kilometer) stretch is officially clothing-optional, but you must be clothed at the other end, so take your pick depending on your sensibilities. This beach is usually less busy than others on the Toronto Islands, making it a peaceful escape from the city.
Some travelers visit Hanlan’s Point Beach independently, but you can also head to the Toronto Islands for kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and cycling tours. You can also stop here on a chartered boat tour.
Things to know before you go
The water here is typically calm and is shallow for quite a way out, so it’s suitable for kids.
There’s a fast-food joint at Hanlan’s Beach and other eateries elsewhere on the Toronto Islands. You can also pack a picnic.
Changing rooms, public toilets, and water fountains are available at the beach.
Don’t worry about making a nudity faux pas—the different sections of the beach are clearly signposted.
How to get there
Unless you’re taking a tour to Hanlan’s Point Beach, you can catch the Hanlan Point Ferry from the Jack Layton Ferry Dock on downtown Toronto’s waterfront. It takes about 15 minutes. The Hanlan’s Point Ferry Dock is about 0.6 miles (1 kilometer) from the beach, or a 15-minute walk.
When to get there
Toronto’s warm summers are the best time to visit Hanlan’s Point Beach for swimming and other outdoor activities. Come later in the day to admire the sunset, as it’s the best place on the islands to do so. It’s also a particularly good spot from which to watch the Canadian International Airshow on Labour Day weekend in early September.
Toronto’s best mainland beaches
If you’d rather not take a ferry to the Toronto Islands, there are still several good beaches along Toronto’s Lake Ontario coastline. Woodbine Beach, Bluffer’s Park Beach, and Kew-Balmy Beach (near Kew Gardens), all east of the central city, are especially nice. Sunnyside Beach, in the west, also has an outdoor pool.
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