toronto beaches

Bad year for Toronto's beaches just got worse

It hasn't exactly been paradise on Toronto's beaches this year. Heavy flooding throughout the spring made many of the city's waterfront areas impassable. The city also closed Toronto Island Park and reduced ferry service.

Now, as water levels slowly retreat and most of the city's mainland beaches have opened, a new problem has emerged—E. Coli levels are through the roof at six of Toronto's 11 beaches.

The following beaches have been deemed unsafe to swim right now: Marie Curtis, Sunnyside, Cherry, Woodbine, Kew/Balmy and Bluffer's Park.

toronto beachesOutside of Rouge Beach, which is currently closed from flooding damage, the only beaches with passable water quality are on the Islands. The problem of course, is that none of these are open right now.

While you could take a water taxi over, the public has been discouraged from hitting these spots until July 31. What's worse, is that beaches like Hanlan's and Gibraltar Point will remain closed for the entire year.

All that to say, if you're looking for a safe place to swim right now, you're out of luck in Toronto. Your best bet is to plan a road trip to one of the many nearby beaches that are open.

Water quality is, however, tested every day at Toronto's beaches, so hopefully it won't take too long for bacteria levels to recede to the point where we can get out and enjoy the water again.

Lead photo by

Phil Marion


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in City

Toronto's most scenic skating rink is gone forever but here's what's replacing it

TTC staff 'hire' lost dog found in Toronto lot for the day and one even took it home

New Toronto subway station under construction will be topped by two towers

Driver accused of crashing Bentley at Ontario police station while impaired

Toronto's constantly-broken public garbage bins are getting high-tech new replacements

Pearson Airport is seeing more Ubers than ever and Toronto drivers are raising alarms

Ontario college president sued for calling another college president a 'whore'

Ontario to start discouraging employers from asking for doctors' notes to prove illness