Ontario is known for the Great Lakes, a series of large interconnected freshwater lakes encompassing over 220,000 square kilometers. These lakes hold 18% of the world’s freshwater, and are home to many cottagers as well as a top tourist destination in Canada.
Located along the shores of Lake Huron along Ontario’s Bruce Peninsula, the town of Sauble Beach boasts 7 km of white sand along a large stretch of beach. It is known as Canada’s #1 freshwater beach, so unlike the beaches of Toronto where Lake Ontario tends to be polluted, you can enjoy swimming on Sauble Beach. And it’s only a 3-hour drive from Toronto!
After visiting this town 3 times, here are the top things to do in Sauble Beach:
Soak in the Sunshine
If you enjoy the beach, unravel your stress by simply relaxing and tanning along the beach or swimming in the fresh waters of Lake Huron. And don’t worry, restaurants are never far. The beach is located along Lakeshore Boulevard, which has several restaurants overlooking the beach. Our favourite has been the popular 1858 Caesar Bar, which offers a variety of unique caesar cocktails along with mini-meals. Other dining restaurants along Lakeshore Boulevard include Sola’s Grill and Smashed Burgers and Bar. A few steps away on the main strip in the town you will find plenty of ice cream shops, pizza shops and also Pita Pit. And you’re never far from a store to buy any beach essentials you may have forgotten at home. Heads up: there’s no McDonald’s or Tim Hortons in Sauble Beach!
Enjoy the Sunset
Check the weather before leaving home, because the sunset along this beach is unforgettable! After enjoying sunsets and sunrises in cities, on beaches, in the mountains and even while cruising around an archipelago, this was arguably the most breathtaking one ever! To fully enjoy the sunset from daytime until dusk, make sure to arrive about 2 hours before sunset time. Simply bring your own beach chairs, grab a spot and bring a drink to sit and enjoy the magic of the sun setting over Lake Huron!
Hike to a Waterfall
A 10-minute drive from the beach brings you to Sauble Falls Provincial Park. The hike around this small park is only about 2 km, and it will lead to a historic waterfall that used to power a timber mill and generating station. If you want to get your feet wet, don’t hesitate to remove your shoes and walk on the rock formations! In fact, many people do that.
Heads up: effective May 2023, advance reservations are required for several provincial parks in Ontario, and Sauble Falls Provincial Park is one of them! Click here to hold your spot.
Be Adventurous
Travelers who enjoy a sense of adventure will find it right on the shores of Sauble Beach! Ascent Aerial Park features a full ropes course and any activity you may be looking to face your fears doing! And the best part: you will be overlooking the shores of Lake Huron while experiencing a thrilling adrenaline rush.
Cruise Around the Bruce Peninsula
Just one hour north of Sauble Beach lies the famous Ontario port town of Tobermory. Located at the top of the Bruce Peninsula, Tobermory is a top destination for Ontario residents. From there, cruise companies are waiting to show you the Bruce Peninsula along with Shipwrecks dating back to the 19th century. If you’re adventurous, you can even opt for a snorkeling experience to see the Shipwrecks! And if you enjoy hiking, you can book a stopover cruise with Blue Heron Cruises to nearby Flowerpot Island. The ship will take you to the island where you can disembark, hike and/or enjoy swimming, then board a ship later back to Tobermory. And if you’re going to Sauble Beach for more than one night, dedicate one evening to a sunset cruise in Tobermory.
Teo’s Travel Tip: book these sailings ahead! Many Ontario residents go to Tobermory, sometimes yearly, and the sailings surprisingly fill up fast! When we arrived, had we not booked ahead, all sailings were sold out!
Sauble Beach is one of Ontario’s most favourite beach destinations. Most of the travelers going there are locals, which makes it a hidden gem. Make the 3-hour drive from Toronto on your visit, and you will not be disappointed!