Beaches
Life is a beach and no more so than in BruceGreySimcoe! Dip your toes in the water and plop your seat in the sand for an amazing beach experience
Family-style Beaches
Lively and exciting Wasaga Beach and Sauble Beach cater to families as well as teens, adults and seniors. For a quieter, more low-key beach experience, BruceGreySimcoe has many beaches just right for family time by the water!
The Georgian Bay coastline and Lake Huron shores vary in beach style, with Lake Huron beaches ranging from sandy to rocky while Georgian Bay features limestone ledges and Caribbean-blue water. Most beaches are unsupervised.
Station Beach in Kincardine is sandy with small pebbles rimming the shoreline. Its shallow grade into the water makes it a great place to swim for all ages. Other shoreline retreats in Kincardine and area include MacPherson Park (also known as Tiny Tot Park), Boiler Beach and the scenic Point Clark Beach (by the historic Point Clark Lighthouse and Museum).
The beaches of Port Elgin and Southampton range from lively to tranquil. Families and teens that love activity and action can head to Port Elgin’s beach while those seeking a more restful locale will love Southampton’s quieter atmosphere.
Beach lover’s heaven continues at Northwinds Beach, Craigleith. Board and kite surfers, kayakers and SUP paddlers love this beach, as do avid beach goers. Between Meaford and Thornbury, Christie Beach is sandy and shallow, great for wee paddlers and splashers! And fossil lovers will love exploring the beach at Craigleith Provincial Park with ancient fossils buried in the shale rock!
Barrie’s waterfront on Kempenfelt Bay, Lake Simcoe is just minutes from Highway 400. The city’s marina is the only designated Blue Flag marina on Lake Simcoe and just one of six designated harbours in Canada. Explore and play along the seven kilometres of beach and waterfront areas including Heritage Park and Centennial Beach, Johnson's Beach, Tyndale Beach Park, and Minet's Point Beach. Both Centennial and Johnson’s beaches are supervised from the end of June to mid-August (note that lifeguards are not on duty when it rains).
Spend some time on Orillia’s pretty waterfront, with its shoreline walkway, sandy beaches, French’s Stand (a summer tradition since 1920), playgrounds and events.
Beaches Less Travelled
Looking for a less-populated, out-of-the-way beach in BruceGreySimcoe? Many of these beaches dot the shoreline along Georgian Bay and Lake Huron. Most don’t offer full amenities and some don’t have washrooms, but if you’re looking for a quiet place to soak up the sun alone, in pairs or with the family, we may have just what you’re looking for….
Tip: Check ahead as several beaches have parking fees.
The Bruce Peninsula is a treasure trove of sandy beaches on the Lake Huron shoreline and limestone beaches on the Georgian Bay side. Pack a lunch, jump in the car and start beach hopping! Red Bay, Hope Bay, Sandy Beach and Lion’s Head are just a few of the beaches waiting for you and your beach gear.
Awenda Provincial Park, northwest of Penetanguishene, is dotted with sand-and-boulder beaches and sparkling clear water. If it’s serenity you’re after, head for Beach Four. Be prepared, though, as amenities are limited at this section of the beach.
It must be good if the locals go! Sunset Point Park in Collingwood is one of those places. With a rock beach, washrooms, picnic areas, a snack bar, campground and biking and walking paths along the shoreline, it offers the perfect vantage point to watch windsurfers or take in the breathtaking sunset.
Meaford’s Memorial Park has more than 2,000 feet of sandy beach to stroll along, loll on or play on. Extend that summery “day at the beach” feeling by booking a campsite at the beachside campground.
And, if you’re visiting Wasaga Beach and looking for some quiet down time, there are several less-visited parts of the beach to spend some time on - Beaches 2 through 6, New Wasaga Beach and Allenwood Beach.
Just south of Port Elgin, Shipley Beach is sandy and quiet, great for communing with both family and nature. Parking is limited here so consider biking or walking in.
Before heading out to stake your little bit of “beach heaven”, read this blog post on YummyMummyClub.ca for more info on the beaches of BruceGreySimcoe!
Looking for a beach you can hang out with your pooch? Some of the beaches in South Georgian Bay are dog friendly!