With the warm weather here, it’s time to take a trip to visit some of Niagara’s best beaches for a day of sun and relaxation. Here is a list of local favourites to choose from.
1. Lakeside Park Beach, St. Catharines
Lakeside Beach is located within Port Dalhousie, a small town within the city of St.Catharines. This is one of the more popular Niagara beaches. Parking is free and is just moments from the beach. Bring a picnic basket, check out the boats docked by the pier, take a stroll, and you can participate in some beach volleyball. Great for kids as well, Lakeside Park still has the original “Looff Carousel”, still for only .5¢ a ride.
There are restaurants just a stone’s throw away, as well as ice cream parlours and specialty stores.
Address: 1 Lakeport Rd., Port Dalhousie
Directions:
From Niagara or Buffalo: Take the QEW to exit 47, Ontario Street, St. Catharines, left on Ontario Street towards Lake Ontario, away from downtown, left on Lakeport Road at lights, follow Lakeport Road over bridge, veer right at traffic lights towards beach.
From Toronto: Take the QEW to exit 51, Seventh Street, St. Catharines, turn left onto Seventh Street to Lakeshore Road, turn right onto Lakeshore Road which will become Main Street, follow the signage to Port Dalhousie.
2. Nickel Beach, Port Colborne
Located in Port Colborne, for $10 you can drive your car right onto the beach here. The Lake Erie water meets more than a mile of white sand, which offers great windsurfing, swimming and sunbathing. There are plenty of areas to picnic, along with rest room facilities and volleyball courts.
Address: 69 Lake Rd., Port Colborne
Directions:
From Toronto: Get on Gardiner Expy West, take Queen Elizabeth Way/QEW and ON-406 S to East Main St. in Welland, take ON-140 S and Welland St to Lake Rd. in Port Colborne.
From Buffalo: Take Delaware Ave to Church St., take Garrison Rd and ON-3 to Killaly St East in Port Colborne, Canada, continue on Killaly St East, drive to Lake Rd.
3. Long Beach Conservation Area, Wainfleet
Located in Wainfleet, Long Beach has a small admission fee is required for entry. It features a beautiful sandy beach, with plenty of room to stretch out and enjoy summer. Great for families, you can fish, sailboard, jet ski, and enjoy a picnic while the children swim or play on the playground. The abundant beach shoreline is Long Beach’s main attraction.
Reservations can be made for the camping season that runs from the Friday of Victoria Day weekend through the end of Thanksgiving weekend.
Address: 12965 Lakeshore Road, Wainfleet
4. Crystal Beach/Bay Beach, Fort Erie
Within the town of Fort Erie is this tiny beachfront community. It is named “Crystal Beach” due to being known for its “crystal-clear” water conditions. Summertime is full of cottagers and beach lovers! The beach stretches long and wide and parking can be found free of charge, or with a small fee.
$60 million has been pumped into residential development, on the location of the former waterfront amusement park (1888-1989) and over $4 million into public spaces.
Crystal Beach has antique markets, and plenty of dining.
Directions:
Getting to Crystal Beach from Buffalo: Cross at the Peace Bridge. Exit QEW at Thompson Road exit. At second lights (Garrison Road/HWY 3) veer right. Follow Garrison Road/Hwy 3 to Gorham Road. Turn left onto Gorham Road. Follow Gorham Road (which becomes Ridgeway Road) to Erie Road. Turn Right on Erie Road. Public Beach is located on the left.
Getting to Crystal Beach from Toronto: Take the QEW toward Niagara Falls. At Niagara Falls continue on the QEW toward Fort Erie/Buffalo. Exit the QEW at Sodom Road. Follow Sodom Road (which becomes Gorham Road, which then becomes Ridgeway Road until you reach Erie Road. Turn Right on Erie Road. Public Beach is located on the left.
5. Sunset Beach (Formerly Municipal Beach), St.Catharines
This beach is surprsingly not well-known next to the busier Lakeside Park in St.Catharines, yet it is the larger of the two beaches at 1200 feet of sandy paradise.
It is known for its amazing sunset viewing opportunities, hence the name change in 2015.
It offers a pristine beach, playground, public washrooms, and a boat launch. Picnics are welcome here.
Address: 1 Lombardy Av., St.Catharines
Directions:
From Toronto: Take the QEW Niagara exit at Ontario Street, St. Catharines, Turn left onto Ontario Street, Follow Ontario Street to Lakeshore Road, Turn right on Lakeshore Road, Turn left on Arthur Street, Turn left on Lombardy Avenue, Follow Lombardy Avenue to Sunset Beach.
From Niagara: Take the QEW Toronto exit at Lake Street, St. Catharines, Turn right toward Lake Street, Take left onto Lake Street, Take right onto Scott Street, Turn left onto Geneva Street, Turn right onto Lakeshore Road, Turn left onto Arthur Street, Turn right onto Beachhaven Drive, Take left onto Bogart Street, Follow to Sunset Beach on Lombardy Avenue.
Cool off after all the beachy excitement on Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls!
There’s no better way after a day of sunbathing and relaxation with family and friends, than to visit our “Street of Fun by the Falls” to keep all the fun going! We have attractions, delicious food vendors, and more to cap off a fantastic and relaxing day.
Please Note: Some beaches may be unsafe for swimming and you should check with the Niagara regional water testing website for current conditions: https://www.niagararegion.ca/living/water/beaches/default.aspx
Beaches are posted unsafe for swimming when water tests show unacceptable levels of E. Coli bacteria. The levels of E.coli are affected by a number of conditions including birds, wildlife and large numbers of swimmers. Swimming in these waters could cause infections of the ear, eye, nose, throat and skin as well as cause diarrhea if the water is ingested. The beach might also be unsafe or closed because of other environmental conditions including excessive algae growth, flooding, garbage or debris, spills, and bad odours.