Why you should experience Woodbine Beach in Toronto, Ontario.
Woodbine Beach is an iconic urban beach where The Beaches' lakeside lifestyle, outdoor recreation, and waterfront heritage have created one of Canada's most celebrated shoreline destinations.
Set along Lake Shore Boulevard East near Woodbine Avenue and just steps from Kew Gardens, this expansive waterfront destination combines wide sandy beaches, scenic boardwalks, volleyball courts, cycling trails, swimming areas, public art, and panoramic views across Lake Ontario into a setting that reflects Toronto's enduring relationship with its shoreline. Golden sand, mature parkland, and vibrant recreational amenities create an atmosphere where relaxation, recreation, and community naturally intersect. Throughout every season, Woodbine Beach welcomes residents and visitors seeking one of Toronto's most beloved outdoor destinations. The result is a place where The Beaches' coastal character, recreational tradition, and vibrant waterfront culture continue to define one of Canada's finest urban beaches.
What you should know about Woodbine Beach.
Woodbine Beach is best known for hosting the Ashbridges Bay Races, North America's oldest continuously run open-water swimming competition, first held in 1908 and continuing for more than a century.
First organized in 1908, the Ashbridges Bay Races established Woodbine Beach as one of Canada's most important venues for competitive open-water swimming. The annual event has welcomed generations of swimmers to Lake Ontario while becoming the oldest continuously run open-water swimming competition in North America. Alongside its recreational importance, the beach has remained central to Toronto's lakeside culture as the city's premier public shoreline destination. Few urban beaches on the continent possess such a distinguished sporting tradition.
How to fold Woodbine Beach into your trip.
Woodbine Beach is best experienced as an exploration of The Beaches' remarkable blend of waterfront recreation, parkland, and lakeside attractions.
Begin at Woodbine Beach, where expansive sandy shoreline and sweeping lake views immediately establish the destination's unmistakable character. Continue to Kew Gardens, whose beautifully landscaped grounds and historic park features reveal one of Toronto's most treasured public green spaces. From there, explore Ashbridges Bay Park, where marinas, waterfront trails, and coastal habitats enrich the lakeside experience, before concluding at The Beaches Boardwalk, whose scenic promenade provides a memorable finale to an afternoon shaped by recreation, nature, and waterfront discovery. Along the route, cycling paths, volleyball courts, public art, lakeside cafés, pedestrian-friendly trails, picnic areas, and vibrant gathering spaces demonstrate how The Beaches continues to celebrate one of Canada's richest waterfront traditions.
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