Hey there, beach lovers! If you’re on the hunt for your next sandy getaway, let me introduce you to the hidden gem of Ontario – Prince Edward County. It’s a charming place that’s home to some of the most diverse and beautiful beaches you’ll ever set foot on.
From the soft, sandy stretches of Sandbanks Provincial Park to the rugged, rocky shores of Little Bluff Conservation Area, there’s a beach for every taste. Each one has its own unique charm and features, making every visit a new adventure. So, buckle up, folks! We’re about to dive into the best beaches that Prince Edward County has to offer.
After soaking up the sun and surf at these stunning Prince Edward County beaches, if you’re up for a change of pace and feel like trying out some water slides, then don’t miss out on the thrilling rides at Calypso Water Park.
Sandbanks Provincial Park
Sandbanks Provincial Park is a standout spot in Ontario and a highlight among the Prince Edward County Beaches. Known for its picturesque landscapes, unique sand dunes, and beautiful beaches, the park is home to three main beaches: Outlet Beach, Dunes Beach, and Lakeshore Beach. Each one has its own character and a variety of amenities, adding to the diverse charm of Prince Edward County’s shoreline.
Outlet Beach
First up, Outlet Beach. This is a family-friendly spot with a large sandy area and a gentle drop-off into the water.
This beach is very long, which is around 3.89 km in length. It is one of the largest beaches in Sandbanks Provincial Park and faces out directly onto the Lake Ontario.
You will also see a lot of people doing windsurfing and kitesurfing at Outlet beach. Which makes it even more beautiful.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Parking? Yes. It has several large parking lots. Although overnight parking is not allowed.
- Toilets? Yes, they have comfort stations with flush toilets. There are also shower rooms and change rooms.
- Lifeguards? No, so keep an eye on the little ones.
- Dogs? Yes, but not on the main beach. Dogs have to stay in the designated pet area which is also quite large.
- Barbecue places? I have never seen barbecue places there.
- Picnic tables? Not that there are many of them. A few. But you can bring your portable table or sit on the sand.
- Accessibility? Outlet Beach is friendly for people with special needs. It has a convenient parking that is less than 50 metres from the beach, and it is mobility-challenged accessible.
During the summer, they have Mobi Mats that create an accessible path through the sand, starting at the Park Store and heading out onto the beach. These help make the beach more accessible to anyone using assistive devices like wheelchairs, walkers, and canes. - Store? Yes. There is a very nice Park Store near the beach that sells snacks, drinks, ice cream, and souvenirs. You can also buy sunscreen, camping supplies, beach toys and basic groceries. It also has a small restaurant. So you can have a nice lunch or dinner there.
The store is called Currah’s Park Store & Restaurant and it is open from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. - Boat launch? Yes. There is a seasonal boat launch at Outlet Beach in the Outlet River A Campground. It is suitable for boats less than 18 feet.
However, the mouth of the Outlet River may be blocked by sediment, which prevents boat access to Lake Ontario. If you have a larger boat or want to explore other areas of the park, you may want to use other boat launch facilities outside the park.
The beach has many entrances like this one:
Although the Outlet beach has Mobi Mats at the main entrance, many of its entrances are over the sandy dunes. It feels like you are entering a beach in Cuba or Mexico. Just have a look at this video:
Sometimes Lake Ontario does not look like a like. It really looks like a sea.
Dunes Beach
Next, Dunes Beach. This is a scenic spot with sand dunes and wetlands along the banks of West Lake.
This beach is smaller than Outlet Beach, but it is less crowded and more natural. It has fine sand and clear water, but the lake-bottom slopes away deeply just a few metres past the swimming zone.
- Parking? Yes. It has a parking area that is less than 100 metres from the beach, and is accessible for mobility-challenged visitors.
- Toilets? Yes, they have vault toilets and change-huts.
- Lifeguards? No, so be careful when swimming.
- Dogs? No, dogs are not allowed on this beach.
- Barbecue places? No, there are no barbecue places that I have seen on this beach.
- Picnic tables? Yes, there are several family-sized picnic shelters, equipped with stand-up charcoal barbecues.
- Accessibility? Dunes Beach is somewhat accessible for people with special needs. It has a convenient parking that is less than 100 metres from the beach, and is accessible for mobility-challenged visitors. However, there are no Mobi Mats or other features to help people with assistive devices access the beach.
- Store? No, there is no store at this beach. However, you can find one at the nearby West Lake Willy’s Water Park, which also offers water slides, bumper boats, mini golf, and other fun activities.
- Boat launch? No, there is no boat launch at this beach. However, you can use other boat launch facilities outside the park.
Lakeshore Beach
Finally, Lakeshore Beach. This is a long and narrow beach on the shore of Lake Ontario that offers a beautiful view of the lake and the dunes.
This beach is very long, which is around 7 km in length. It stretches from West Point in the south to the village of Wellington in the north. It is one of the three beaches at Sandbanks Provincial Park and faces out directly onto Lake Ontario.
- Parking? Yes. It has a smaller parking lot than Outlet Beach, but it is usually less crowded.
- Toilets? Yes, they have vault toilets and change-huts.
- Lifeguards? No, so watch out for the waves and currents.
- Dogs? Yes, but only in the designated pet area near the south end of the beach.
- Barbecue places? No, there are no barbecue places on this beach.
- Picnic tables? No, there are no picnic tables on this beach.
- Accessibility? Lakeshore Beach is not very accessible for people with special needs. It has a convenient parking that is less than 50 metres from the beach. However, there are no Mobi Mats or other features to help people with assistive devices access the beach.
- Store? No, there is no store at this beach. However, you can visit the Park Store at Outlet Beach or the Friends of Sandbanks Nature Shoppe at the Visitor Center or the main park office, which sell snacks, drinks, souvenirs, and other items.
- Boat launch? No, there is no boat launch at this beach. However, you can use other boat launch facilities outside the park .
Remember, things can change, so always check the official park website or contact the park directly for the most up-to-date info. Enjoy exploring!
North Beach Provincial Park
North Beach Provincial Park is another gem among the Prince Edward County Beaches. It’s less known compared to its famous neighbor, Sandbanks, but that doesn’t make it any less appealing. With 2,000 meters of sandy beach and a variety of activities to enjoy, it’s a perfect spot to make the most of Ontario’s summer.
Lake Ontario
First, let’s talk about the Lake Ontario side of the park. This beach offers a classic Great Lakes beach experience with its vast expanse of sandy shoreline. You can swim, sunbathe, play, or picnic on this beautiful beach. However, be aware of the possible undertow conditions on windy days and swim with caution.
- Parking? Yes, there’s a parking lot.
- Toilets? Yes, they have vault toilets.
- Lifeguards? No, so be sure to keep an eye on each other.
- Dogs? Yes, but only in the designated pet area.
- Barbecue places? There are no really barbecue places. You can bring your own barbecue, but it must be self-contained and propane-powered. Charcoal barbecues are not permitted.
- Picnic tables? Yes, they have picnic tables along the beach.
- Accessibility? No specific information available.
- Store? No specific information available.
- Boat launch? No specific information available.
North Bay Beach
On the other side of the park, you’ll find the North Bay beach. This beach is a bit more sheltered than the Lake Ontario side, making it a great spot for families and those looking for a more relaxed swimming experience. You can also fish for largemouth bass, northern pike, perch and sunfish in the bay.
North Bay beach is one of the many Prince Edward County beaches that offer scenic views and diverse activities for visitors of all ages.
The beach entrance is not free. I paid $20 to get a day pass.
- Parking? Yes, there’s a parking lot near the beach entrance.
- Toilets? Yes, they have vault toilets next to the parking lot.
- Lifeguards? No, so remember to swim safely and watch out for each other.
- Dogs? Yes, but only in the designated pet area. The pet area is located at the far end of the beach, away from the main swimming area.
- Barbecue places? Yes, you can bring your own barbecue, but it must be self-contained and propane-powered. Charcoal barbecues are not permitted. You can set up your barbecue on the grassy area behind the beach or on the picnic tables.
- Picnic tables? Yes, they have picnic tables along the beach and on the grassy area behind the beach. You can use them for your picnic or barbecue.
- Accessibility? Yes, they have Mobi Mats that create an accessible path through the sand, starting at the park store and going onto the beach. These mats help make the beach more accessible to anyone using assistive devices like wheelchairs, walkers, and canes.
- Store? Yes, they have a small canteen where park souvenirs and traditional fast food and beverages can be purchased. It is located along the park’s main road. You can also buy fishing licenses and bait at the store.
- Boat launch? Yes, they have a boat launch on the north side of the park. It is suitable for small craft only. Personal floatation devices are available for loan at the park (refundable deposit is required). You can launch your boat from the boat launch and explore the bay or fish for your dinner.
Wellington Rotary Beach
Wellington Rotary Beach is one of the Prince Edward County Beaches that you don’t want to miss. It is a beautiful park with various amenities and attractions, owned by the Rotary Club of Wellington. This club transformed it from an undeveloped natural waterfront area into a scenic and family-friendly beach.
Here are some of the details about this beach:
- Parking? Yes, there is a parking lot near the beach entrance. However, parking is limited and may fill up quickly on busy days. The beach charges a $10 per adult entry fee on weekends and holidays from July 1 to August 31, which includes parking.
- Toilets? Yes, there are washrooms near the pavilion and the boat launch.
- Lifeguards? No, there are no lifeguards on duty at this beach. Therefore, you should swim safely and watch out for the possible undertow conditions on windy days.
- Dogs? Yes, this beach is pet-friendly, as long as the dogs are under control by their owners and stay in the designated pet area. The pet area is located at the far end of the beach, away from the main swimming area.
- Barbecue places? Yes, you can bring your own barbecue, but it must be self-contained and propane-powered. Charcoal barbecues are not permitted. You can set up your barbecue on the grassy area behind the beach or on the picnic tables.
- Picnic tables? Yes, there are picnic tables along the beach and on the grassy area behind the beach. You can use them for your picnic or barbecue.
- Accessibility? Yes, this beach is accessible to people with disabilities. There are accessible parking spaces, washrooms, and picnic tables. There is also a ramp that leads to the boardwalk and the beach.
- Store? When I was there I did not find any stores either at the beach or in the park behind the beach.
- Boat launch? Yes, you can access a boat launch on the lake side of the park. It is only suitable for small craft. The park offers personal floatation devices for loan (you need to pay a refundable deposit). You can use the boat launch to go fishing or explore the lake.
