Want to visit the most unique corner of Toronto? Take a short ferry ride to the Toronto Islands. Here, you’ll find the only truly car-free community in Canada and the largest in North America. An ideal environment for relaxing bike rides, long scenic walks, and much more.
Everytime I come here I feel a world away from the city, just minutes from the city.
In this comprehensive guide you’ll find how you can spend a day visiting the Toronto Islands and all you need to know to plan your mini escape.
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Table of Contents
Things to Do on the Toronto Islands
Relax at the Toronto Islands’ Beaches
There are four Blue Flag beaches on the Toronto Islands where you can lay your towel on the sand to relax and get a tan. Pack your sunscreen as well as there’s very little shade.
If you’re planning to come here only to take a (cold) dip, be aware that some beaches may be closed when waves are too big or when high bacteria levels make it unsafe to swim. You’ll see signs posted on site, but you can always check ahead calling the Beach Water Quality Hotline at 1.416.392.7161, or at www.toronto.ca
There are lifeguards on duty from the second week of June until the first week of September.
Ward’s Island Beach
Most times this is the least crowded beach as there are less attractions nearby since it’s close to the residential area. If you want to head straight here and enjoy the calm waters, jump on the Ward’s Island ferry. The beach is a short walk away from the dock.
There’s a café nearby (The Island Café), about five minutes on foot as well as public washrooms.
If you prefer a beach with food stands on site, read below.
Centre Island Beach
This long and wide beach is the most popular and the most crowded since there are several attractions nearby: gardens, bicycle rentals, a beachfront bar and eateries, a pier, washrooms, and change rooms with lockers.
It’s great for families as the water is shallow and there are picnic tables.
Gibraltar Point Beach
This is my favourite beach as it’s not that crowded and even though it’s close to attractions, it feels like you’re away from everything.
There’s a washroom close to the west end of the beach.
Hanlan’s Point Beach
Where’s the picture of the beach? Hanlan’s Point Beach is clothing-optional (you can wear clothes if you want) so, of course, no photos.
You’ll find several access points from Beach Road via sandy trails like the one I show above. Be prepared to walk on sand for several minutes as the entry points are away from the beach for privacy.
Hanlan’s Point is an important landmark for the queer community as the first Pride event in Toronto took place here in 1971.
The nearest washroom is located close to the Mermaid Café, a few minutes walking from the south end of the beach.
Walk or Bike Around the Islands
The Toronto Islands is one of the best places for a leisure walk or bike ride because it’s all pedestrian-friendly. There are pathways and bridges connecting the majority of the islets, with tons of green spaces, gardens, attractions, and of course views of Lake Ontario and downtown Toronto.
Bicycles Rentals on the Toronto Islands
If you don’t want to walk all day you can rent a bike at any of the Bike Share Toronto stations. You’ll find one at each of the three ferry docks, with three additional stations across the islands. It costs CAD$1 to unlock +12 cents per minute.
If you’re planning to take longer rides rather than short ones you can purchase a day-pass for CAD$15 which gives you unlimited 90-minute rides.
You can download the Bike Share Toronto app on your phone.
Additionally, you can rent single bikes, tandems and quadricycles by the hour or daily at Island Bicycle Rental, located near the Central Island Beach pier, or at Island Outpost on Ward’s Island (101 Cibola Ave.)
Toronto Islands Morning Bike Tour: learn about the history of this unique community with this popular 3.5-hour guided bike tour (small group). Ferry ticket, equipment, bottle of water, and snacks are included.
Book this highly-rated bike tour, with a rating of 4.9/5 based on more than 195 reviews
👉 Do you prefer to take this tour at sunset? Check out this Toronto Islands Evening Bike Tour, with a rating of 4.9/5 based on more than 90 reviews.
Explore the Islands on a Kayak, Canoe or SUP
From June 1st to September 30th you can rent kayaks, pedal boats, and canoes by the hour to explore the lagoon and about nine kilometres of waterways.
Equipment is available at The Boathouse on Centre Island, east of the garden promenade on Avenue of the Island.
Toronto Island SUP on Ward’s Island, southwest of the Riviera restaurant and the Algonquin Bridge, is another place where you can rent not only kayaks, but also SUPs (stand-up paddleboards).
Paddleboard or Kayak Eco Tour: find out about all the rich wildlife on the lagoons of the Toronto islands with this 2-hour guided eco tour (small group). Ferry ticket not included.
Explore the lagoons with this tour, with a rating of 4.7/5 based on more than 5 reviews.
👉 Want to go on a SUP or a kayak at night? Check out this Sunset Safari and see Toronto’s skyline at night.
Visit the Toronto Island Parks and Gardens
The Toronto Islands have several parks where you can experience this destination in different ways. If you’re an arborist aficionado you’ll be glad to know that you can see 50 kinds of trees. Species are labeled and you can learn more about them with a self-guided tour. For more info visit www.canadiantreetours.org
From late spring to early fall you’ll find water fountains along the pathways.
Hanlan’s Point Park
Great for a quiet walk with less crowds along a wide paved pathway flanked by mature trees. You’ll catch a good view of the planes landing/taking off at the Billy Bishop airport, the boats on the marina on Mugg’s Island, and the CN tower.
Centre Island Park
This is the busiest park, featuring several attractions and landscaped features.
You can stroll along the pretty gardens adorning the Avenue of the Island, which extend from the bridge that connects Middle Island with the Central Island pier.
The small parterre-style gardens feature a couple of fountains, making for a pleasant promenade.
Nearby you can have some playful time at the William Meany Maze, a small hedge maze made with tall Black Cedar trees.
If you follow Lagoon Road (next to the maze) towards Long Pond you’ll find one of the most beautiful spots to have a picnic, with views of the Centre Island Bridge and a dense line up of trees in the background.
And if you’re into disc golf, you’ll find a course off Cibola Ave., heading towards Ward’s Island.
Soar over Middle Island on the Sky Ride
I had fun on this 15-minute ride where you jump on a chair lift to enjoy an elevated view of Middle Island and the surroundings, and downtown Toronto in the distance. Each gondola seats two people and no big bags are allowed.
Sky Ride is one of the attractions you’ll find at Centreville Amusement Park, along with other rides for kids. There’s a 100-year old carousel and the Far Enough Farm, a small petting zoo with Billy goats, llamas, and pheasants.
Even if you don’t come with kids, it’s worth walking along the water under the shade of huge willow trees while watching ducks and trumpet swans.
The Views of Toronto’s Skyline from Olympic Island
I sat on one of the colourful Muskoka chairs on Olympic Island to enjoy one of the best views of the Toronto skyline, with the CN Tower front and centre.
There are plenty of mature trees across the islet, making for a pretty scenic walk.
Toronto Harbour and Islands Cruise: want to see the islands but you don’t want to break a sweat? Catch a view of the city’s skyline from the lake and explore the Toronto Islands waterways with this 45-minute guided boat tour.
Book this boat tour, with a rating of 4.6/5 based more more than 45 reviews.
Stroll along Ward’s Island Boardwalk
This was one of my favourite walks on the Toronto Islands, with a wall of trees on one side and views of boats cruising Lake Ontario and Tommy Thompson Park in the distance.
Bonus tip: you can enjoy another nice walk around the residential streets on Ward’s Island, north of the ferry dock. You’ll see quaint cottage-style houses along peaceful tree-lined streets.
Stop at the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse
If you’re a history buff you won’t want to miss this lighthouse built in 1809.
According to the Heritage Toronto plaque you’ll find on site, this is the oldest standing lighthouse in the Great Lakes and the second oldest in Canada.
The last official keeper signed off in 1918. Renovations took place in 1962, but the lighthouse is no longer working.
Birdwatching and Spotting Wildlife
The Toronto islands are home to over 50 species of birds and a resting site for over 200 types of migrating birds.
An excellent point where I saw many birds is Trout Pond, on Gibraltar’s Point. Another one is the pathway from the Hanlan’s Point Ferry dock to Gibraltar’s Point, filled with many trees and more sighting opportunities.
Snake Island and Snug Island are also quiet observation spots.
To do birdwatching from a kayak or SUP, check out this eco tour.
Other than flying creatures you can see amphibians, painted turtles, and foxes. Coyotes are present on the islands, more commonly seen at dusk and dawn and during winter and spring. You’ll see signs on site about what to do if you see one nearby. Basically, don’t feed them, stay away, and keep your dog on a leash.
Where to Eat on the Toronto Islands
There are a couple of fast food places (Subway, Pizza Pizza) and several cafés that charge restaurant prices with a menu that’s more like burgers, sandwiches, wraps, fish and chips and the likes, and some salads and soups. Expect higher prices than in the city.
Let’s say that eating on the Toronto Islands is more about the views and relaxing rather than having a culinary experience.
I ate at the Carousel Café terrace on Middle Island, where I had a tasty grilled vegetable wrap with a beer while enjoying a wonderful view of the pond and the trees.
If you want to feel a Caribbean vibe, head to the Castaways Rum Shack on Ward’s Island.
As an alternative, you can bring your own food and use any of the many picnic tables you’ll find across the islands.
Public Washrooms and Changing Rooms
As I mentioned in the Toronto Islands beaches section, there are washrooms close to the four beaches and changing rooms right on Centre Island Beach.
There are washrooms close to all three ferry docks as well. You’ll also find one west of the William Meany Maze, one on Olympic Island, and one at the intersection of Cibola Ave. and Chippewa Ave., between Centre Island and Ward’s Island.
Note: washrooms on the Toronto Islands close after 10 or 10:30PM and the majority open only from May to October.
Where to Stay on the Toronto Islands
There are no hotels on the Toronto Islands, but you can find a few (expensive!) rentals on Airbnb from locals who live on Algonquin Island and Ward’s Island.
Camping or roaming around at night isn’t allowed and public washrooms close in the evening, making Airbnb the only option.
As an alternative, you can stay at one of Toronto’s waterfront area hotels that are a stone throw’s distance from the Ferry terminal, such as the Westin Harbour Castle or the Delta Hotel by Marriott.
How to Get to the Toronto Islands
Ferries at the Jack Leyton Ferry Terminal
Public ferries departing from the Jack Leyton Ferry Terminal connect Toronto’s waterfront with three docks on the Toronto Islands: Hanlans’ Point on the west side, Centre Island in the midpoint (it actually arrives at Middle Island and a bridge connects it to Centre Island), and Ward’s Island on the east end.
The scenic trip is around 10 to 15 minutes.
Pets (on a leash) and bicycles are allowed.
Ferry Schedule
The Summer schedule runs from mid May to mid September.
First ferry departs at 6:30AM to Ward’s Island, 6:45AM to Hanlan’s Point and 8AM to Centre Island. Thereafter, they depart every 40 (or 60) minutes. During peak hours additional trips may be added.
The last ferry back to the city departs from Hanlan Point at 11PM and at 11:45PM from the other two docks. Always double check the current schedule so you don’t get stuck.
The Spring and Fall schedule runs from mid April to mid May and from mid September to mid October, with reduced trips on the three routes.
The Winter schedule runs from mid-October until mid-April, with only one route going to Ward’s island.
Ferry tickets
You can book the tickets online or at the terminal, where they accept cash and credit cards. The adult fare is CAD$9.57.
How to Get to the Ferry Terminal
The best way to get here is by public transit. The terminal doesn’t have parking and the nearby parking lots charge an arm and two legs.
You can take the subway to Union station, board the 509 or the 510 streetcars and get off at the first stop (Queens Quay Ferry docks). The terminal is a few steps away.
You can also take the 510 southbound from the Spadina subway station.
For more TTC routes, download the transitapp.
Water Taxis
Along downtown Toronto’s waterfront you’ll find several water taxi companies. They’re more expensive than the public ferry (one way trip is CAD$14), but they’re faster and less crowded. They typically depart every 15 minutes or on the spot if you’re part of a group.
Kayaking
This is how I got to the Toronto Islands on my very first visit. You can rent a kayak (or a canoe) at the Harbourfront Canoe & Kayak Centre on Queens Quay West and Rees St. and traverse the harbour to explore the waterways around the islands.
This may not be the best option if you’re an absolute beginner as you have to deal with the harbour traffic and possibly with strong winds. They’ll do an assessment to confirm that you know what you’re doing.
You can also rent a kayak from Toronto SUP & Kayak on Cherry Beach for a shorter paddle to the islands.
Kayaks, SUPs, and canoe rentals are available from mid-May/early June until end of September/early October.
Best Time to Visit the Toronto Islands
Summer
Summer is the busiest time on the Toronto Islands and probably the best season to visit if you’re planning to go to the beach, as the water temperature will be more forgiving.
It’s also the best time if you’re going with kids, as it’s the only time when the Centreville Amusement Park is open.
If you’re planning to visit during the summer, try to go on a weekday as weekends are nuts.
Late Spring/Early Fall
My favourite time to visit. During early fall in September, after Labour Day, you’ll avoid the crowds and the heat, with ideal temperatures for long walks or rides.
Keep in mind that businesses on island close end of September/early October
Late Fall/Winter
During winter everything is closed on the Toronto Islands so if you want to do snowshoeing or take long and cold walks in solitude, this is the time to visit.
It’s colder than in the city as you have to contend with the brutal wind factor.
The only ferry running at this time, on a limited schedule, goes to Ward’s Island. You must come prepared with enough water and properly dressed as, again, there’s nothing open.
The only place to escape the cold is a small, heated waiting area at the ferry dock.
There’s only three public washrooms that remain open during winter: at the Hanlan’s Point ferry dock, on Centre island, and near Ward’s Beach.
The Toronto Islands are a great spot for walking, biking, birdwatching, doing water sports, or relaxing at the beach. It’s the perfect outdoor escape, a short boat ride from downtown Toronto’s waterfront.
BOOKING FLIGHTS AND ACCOMMODATIONS
To get from A to B without losing your shirt
Skyscanner: to find cheap flights. Get notified of price drops with the “Price Alert” feature or use “Search Everywhere” to see where you can go without breaking the bank.
Busbud: to book bus tickets everywhere.
To find a place to stay for less
Booking.com: this site combines everything under the sun. You’ll find hotels, apartments, B&B, hostels, rooms, etc., with all sort of filters to make your search a breeze.
Hotwire: the first site I check when we plan to stay at a hotel for a few nights. You can save anything from 20% to 60%. Use the search filter to find what you want and you’ll end up with three listings that match your criteria. You’ll know which one you’ll get after you book. If you can handle a little bit of uncertainty you can score big savings.
House Sitting: you take care of people’s pets and house for free while staying for free. It’s the closest thing to experiencing a place “like a local”. But it comes with responsibilities… Are you an animal lover? It may become your new way to travel.
To get travel insurance
SafetyWing: travel medical insurance that gives us peace of mind knowing that we’re covered in case of emergency. It’s convenient, affordable, and suitable for digital nomads who spend a long time outside their home country.
Check the full list of travel resources on my Resource Page for more options and savings
