8 Best Lakeside Towns in Ontario
Ontario has over 250,000 lakes, and some of the best towns in the province are built right along their shores. Boat tours run out over clear sections of Georgian Bay where shipwrecks are visible below the surface. On Lake Erie, long public beaches with Blue Flag status draw steady crowds on warm days. Elsewhere, waterfront parks, marinas, and downtown streets fill up during seasonal events like spring maple festivals. These eight lakeside towns stand out as some of the best places in Ontario to spend time by the water.
Port Dover
One of Ontario’s most popular lakeside communities on Lake Erie, Port Dover, is known for its classic beach town appeal. The strip along Main Street is lined with shops and restaurants within walking distance of Port Dover Beach. A family favorite spot for sweet treats is Woody’s Waffles & Ice Cream, known for its generous scoops and delicious flavors. Waterfront dining at The Beach House restaurant continues to draw locals in the off-season with Fish Fridays and special holiday menus. River Riders runs seasonal narrated cruises along the Lynn River, a scenic waterway winding through town before emptying into Lake Erie at Port Dover.
During the warmer months, every Friday the 13th, the town transforms into a biker hotspot for the iconic Friday the 13th motorcycle rally, a tradition started in 1981. Port Dover has a permanent population of fewer than 8,000, fostering a strong sense of community alongside year-round attractions like the Lighthouse Festival Theatre, which presents a mix of local productions and professional concerts and stage performances from across Canada.
Southhampton
At the mouth of the Saugeen River, Southampton is a village that draws cottage country tourism and is renowned for its spectacular sunsets over Lake Huron. Southampton Beach is a long stretch of sandy shoreline with calm waters ideal for swimming and kayaking. One of the most popular excursions is a narrated boat cruise to Chantry Island, a migratory bird sanctuary about one kilometre off the town’s shoreline. The island is home to a restored lighthouse and historic lighthouse keeper’s cottage, open for tours to learn about the region’s maritime heritage.
Each July 1st, Southampton’s Canada Day celebrations include a flag-raising ceremony and cake cutting, a festive parade, and a community barbecue, concluding with a fireworks display over Lake Huron. The area has grown increasingly appealing to young families and retirees, with housing developments close to the town center and the lake, as well as access to both public and Catholic schools within the community and the greater Town of Saugeen Shores.
Tobermory
Famous for its Caribbean-like turquoise waters, Tobermory sits at the northern tip of the Bruce Peninsula on the Georgian Bay. Fathom Five National Marine Park is a National Marine Conservation Area known for its crystal-clear shoreline and ancient rock formations. Take a glass-bottom boat tour with Bruce Anchor Cruises to Flowerpot Island, where the vessel passes over some of the two dozen historic shipwrecks resting beneath the water. Home to spectacular freshwater diving sites in the world, Dive Life Tobermory conducts scuba diving lessons suited to all experience levels and relaxed snorkelling tours to explore the submerged relics and surrounding marine life.
On land in the town of Tobermory, you’ll find The Hummingbird House, one of the local boutiques known for its collection of cottage-life and outdoor leisure items. Seasonal restaurants add to the harbourfront atmosphere, such as Coconut Joe’s, a waterfront eatery with island-inspired décor and a tropical menu. The town grows notably quieter in winter, and its 1,200 permanent residents value the peaceful frozen scenery and sense of community found at gathering spots like Tobermory Brewing Company, which stays open all year.
Huntsville
Embrace Ontario’s cottage country in Huntsville, a lakeside town set between Lake Vernon and Fairy Lake, in the heart of the Muskoka region. Along the waterfront, the Hunters Bay Trail is a scenic pathway with natural surfaces and floating dock sections, ideal for walking and cycling from spring through fall, with panoramic views of maple and oak trees. In winter, outdoor enthusiasts head to Arrowhead Provincial Park for Nordic skiing or snowshoeing along more than 15 kilometres of trails.
Just ten minutes from the downtown core, Hutcheson Beach on Lake Vernon is one of the area’s most popular swimming spots for its 100 metres of sandy shore and warm, shallow water. Residents and visitors to Huntsville in April can celebrate the end of the maple harvest at the Muskoka Maple Festival, a full day of activities including a pancake breakfast, street performances, and maple-inspired cuisine from the region’s local restaurants and bakeries. As the largest community in the Muskoka region, Huntsville has over 22,000 residents and access to modern amenities, affordable housing options, and community entertainment spots such as the Algonquin Theatre.
Port Stanley
Those who love the beach will appreciate the pristine, gentle waters and sandy shoreline of Port Stanley on the north shore of Lake Erie. Less than an hour away from London, Ontario, Port Stanley Main Beach is one of Canada’s few beaches to have earned “Blue Flag” status for its water quality and safety measures. In addition to swimming and sunbathing, the lake is a popular spot for kayaking and standup paddleboarding, with rentals available from Bridgeview Marina and local companies.
Port Stanley is a scenic place to enjoy lakeside views, with a walkable breakwater along Port Stanley Pier from spring through fall and a waterfront trail following Kettle Creek as it winds through town. The main shopping district runs along Main Street, where visitors will find Big J’s, a boutique known for its quirky gifts and beach-themed items. Along the creek, Riva Italian Restaurant serves authentic Mediterranean cuisine in an upscale waterfront setting inspired by Italy’s coastal regions. The closest urban center is St. Thomas, giving residents the feel of living in a beach town, with supermarkets and healthcare at St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital just 15 minutes away.
Orillia
Known as the Sunshine City, Orillia is less than 20 miles northeast of Barrie, where Lake Simcoe meets Lake Couchiching. Popular with visitors in every season, Orillia boasts top entertainment venues with Casino Rama Resort hosting world class entertainers and popular tribute bands. Each August, the Waterfront Festival at the Port of Orillia hosts a multi-day celebration with local artisan vendors, live music, delicious street food, and shoreline activities, including the cardboard boat race.
With two public beaches in the town, Moose Beach at JB Tudhope Memorial Park is a family favorite, with a large spalshpad, accessible playground and floating waterpark. Just down from the Port of Orillia, Studabakers Bar & Kitchen is a popular eatery serving a menu of Canadian beef burgers, flavorful street tacos and shareable dishes to enjoy with views of Lake Couchiching from their patio. During the winter months, The Roller Skating Place is a local spot for indoor activity, with open skate sessions and party rooms.
Grand Bend
One of southwest Ontario’s premier beach destinations is Grand Bend, on the shores of Lake Huron. Grand Bend Main Beach is another of Canada’s short listed beaches to earn Blue Flag status for water safety and quality. Private boat charters with Grand Bend Charters invite guests to spend the day out on the water, cruising the lake with scenic shoreline views. Fishing enthusiasts can book an excursion with Grand Bend Fishing Charters, as the lake is known for its excellent fishery and diverse species, including salmon, trout, and walleye.
Along Main Street, The Growling Gator is one of the town’s beach themed restaurants serving tropical cocktails and seaside inspired comfort foods like Cajun Jambalaya Pasta. With a full calendar of events throughout the year, including the Grand Bend Winter Carnival in February, Grand Bend remains an exciting place to visit or live during the cooler months.
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Tourists from around the world travel to Niagara-on-the-Lake to visit its world class wineries and the beautiful scenery of Lake Ontario, where it meets the Niagara River. Less than 20 minutes from Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake is a picture-perfect town known for its preserved Victorian architecture along Queen Street and horse drawn carriage rides. Queen's Landing Hotel is one of several upscale accommodations, with an opulent interior, elevated dining and unobstructed views of the lake.
Home to over 37 wineries, Konzelmann Estate Winery stands out as the town’s only lakefront winery for tours and tastings. For an adventurous way to explore the lake and river, Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours takes guests on a 45-minute tour, navigating Class 5 whitewater in the Niagara Gorge. Niagara-on-the-Lake, where over 50 percent of residents are aged 55 and older, is an attractive retirement destination with a wide range of community programs for seniors.
Experience the Best Lakeside Towns in Ontario
Ontario is home to many lakeside towns that offer endless ways to enjoy the water and a strong sense of community for life by the shore. The summer season allows visitors to take in the scenery of the Niagara River from an exhilarating ride with Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours in Niagara-on-the-Lake. In winter, embrace the beauty of the Muskoka region with a trip to Arrowhead Provincial Park in Huntsville for snowshoeing and Nordic skiing. Together, these 8 lakeside towns in Ontario highlight the best of lakeside tourism and waterfront living in every season.
