Toronto Islands, Great Lake Wonderland

Toronto is one of Canada’s most exciting cities but, like most big metro areas, suffers from congestion, noise and too much hustle and bustle. A short escape nearby, though, to the relatively unheralded Toronto Islands brings visitors to one of North America’s most beautiful places, a geographic wonder and a peaceful outdoors paradise perfect for outdoors enthusiasts and corporate team-building events.

From Toronto’s southern shore, ferries regularly shuttle across Lake Ontario to three destinations on the Toronto Islands—Ward’s Island, Centre Island and Hanlan’s Point. The ferries are a bargain—under $7 U.S. round-trip—or you can hop aboard a more expensive water taxi.

You can easily walk or bike to the islands’ sandy beaches, following a broad paved path that connects the islands. There are also small footbridges that connect some islands and boardwalks on Ward’s and Centre islands. The boardwalk on the north side of Ward’s Island hugs the Lake Ontario shoreline and is particularly scenic. This map will help you get around, and another informative map explains the islands’ natural attractions and wildlife.

The best ways to explore the islands are to rent a bicycle after disembarking from the ferry or rent a kayak or canoe at the Toronto waterfront.  You can rent a bike on Centre Island at Toronto Bicycle Rental or bring one on the ferry after renting at a downtown Toronto shop.

Paddle Toronto at Queens Quay on the Toronto waterfront rents kayaks and canoes for your own use or offers various guided trips to the islands. Several waterways between the islands are ideal for exploring, and you can land your watercraft on small beaches. When you set foot on the islands—or if you look back as you navigate Lake Ontario—you will have a gorgeous view of the Toronto skyline with its centerpiece, the 1,815-foot-tall CN Tower.

Don’t be frightened by the prospect of kayaking or canoeing on vast Lake Ontario. Boat traffic is often minimal, and you can kayak to the islands in 20 to 30 minutes. Be vigilant, however, and make sure to give boats the right of way. Less experienced kayakers should choose a day with little wind when the water is calm. Many low-flying planes—particularly turboprops—fly overhead en route to landing at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, which is located on the eastern tip of the Toronto Islands.

A popular guided trip by Paddle Toronto is a social kayak sail—a 2 /12 hour group trip to and from the islands followed by a barbecue on the Toronto waterfront. The price is right—less than $24 U.S. per person. Friendly Paddle Toronto owner Dave Corrigan often leads the trips and flips the burgers. If you desire a guided trip with fewer people along, book a tandem trip. It’s far more expensive—about $56 U.S. round-trip.

Centre Island attracts the most people with nice beaches on the north side, gardens, a small amusement park and bars and food. Families with young children congregate there, particularly to use a beach with a long breakwater that makes the water too still for others. A short walk east or west of this main beach with a breakwater brings visitors to more secluded beaches.

If you want to be alone or with few others, seek out the small beach on the southern edge of Snake Island. To get there you cross the small bridge leading to Snake Island and then proceed a short walk or bike ride through a narrow dirt—sometimes muddy—path through island shrubbery. You emerge on sand with an incredible view of the Toronto skyline.

Ward’s Island is also less crowded and a must-see stop. There’s an off-beat cafe/snack bar there, The Island Cafe, serving homemade hummus, potato salad, chickpea sandwiches, hot dogs, milkshakes and ice cream. It’s probably your best bet—besides bringing your own picnic lunch—for eating on the islands. There are also a few restaurants if you are looking for more substantial fare.

On the eastern end of the islands, there is a clothes-optional beach; Toronto’s oldest landmark, the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse, and a monument to Babe Ruth on a site where Hanlan Point Stadium once stood. On Sept. 5, 1914. Ruth pitched a one-hitter for the Providence Grays in a 9-0 win against the hometown Maple Leafs and slugged his first professional home run over the right-field wall.

If you are looking for a meal after returning from your Short Escape to the Toronto Islands, the top restaurant choices in downtown Toronto are seemingly endless. Carisma is one of many excellent Italian restaurants for food and top service. Momofuku, the creation of revered New York chef David Chang, is a trendy three-floor hotspot next to the Shangri-La hotel with sensational grub. You can choose between a noodle bar with outstanding noodles and pork-belly sandwiches on the ground floor or more substantial, expensive meals on upper floors. For fresh oysters or tasty, reasonably priced seafood, don’t miss Oyster Boy.

Two essential escapes outside the heart of the city are to the Ontario Science Centre and Casa Loma. The science center—with numerous interactive exhibits and an IMAX movie theater—is one of the best worldwide. Casa Loma is the incredible former home of Canadian financier Sir Henry Pellatt. It’s more like a castle with 98 rooms, secret passageways and underground tunnels and is a perfect place for a memorable wedding or corporate event.