Toronto Islands : in the shadow of a big city

OK so you’re in Toronto, it’s hot, the heat radiated from the pavement and the concrete buildings is too much to handle. You want to go to the country side but don’t have hours to spend on a highway or maybe even have access to a car… No problem. Do what Torontonians do, take the ferry and go to the islands; it’s another world just 10 minutes from downtown. And it can easily be 5 degrees cooler on a hot day.

The Islands are my favourite thing about Toronto; it is easy to escape the city, feel the breeze from the lake, go for a swim, a bicycle ride, do some paddling or kayaking. And there is no need to bring your lunch either since there are a few good options for food (if you know where to go).

How to get there

The public transport is the best way to get to the ferry terminal because parking can be an issue : it is expensive and it is not always easy to find a spot. So you may either take the subway to Union Station and walk for 10 minutes to the terminal at the bottom of Yonge Street. Or take the streetcar for one station and get off at Island Ferry Docks. It is recommended to buy your ticket online and print it before you get to the ferry : on a busy day (which is most sunny days in the summer) you’ll be happy to avoid the line up. You will find a lot of information on this page.

There are other options to cross to the Islands : there are water taxis that depart from the dock at the bottom of York Street. Or you might want to be more adventurous and rent a kayak or a canoe for the day and cross the channel yourself. The Harbourfront Canoe and Kayak Centre is located at the corner of Rees and Queens Quay. You might be tested to make sure you have some experience using either one. Check the weather forecast if you choose that option; on windy and stormy days, you will not be allowed on the water.

The best the islands have to offer

Once you reach the islands, unless you plan to stick to one area (more about it in a moment) or you have plenty of time to walk the 5 km distance from one end to the other, cycling is the best way to go around. If you are not bringing your own bike, you can rent one near the Centre Island terminal. There are also canoes and kayaks for rent near there. If you are with a group, you might want to try the quadricycle. The rate is 9 $ per hour for a single bicycle, 18 $ and 32 $ per hour for a quadricycle. Visit the site for the Toronto Island Bicycle Rental.

The ferry to Centre Island departs every 30 minutes, so you never have to wait a long time to get on it. It is the busiest one though, Centre Island offering many different activities : an amusement park for kids, snack bars, great picnic areas equipped with barbecues, a beautiful garden to walk around, a nice and safe sandy beach.

There is good food at Ward’s Island

If it is good food you are looking for, you will want to take the ferry to the Eastern part : Ward’s Island. There are 2 good restaurants : the Rectory Café and the Island Café, each has a beautiful patio and is opened all day into late evening. And there is more. Ward’s Island and the nearby Algonquin Island is where islanders live. Go for a walk along the streets of the residential areas; there are some very beautiful homes and gardens.

In Ward’s Island, you can also do some stand up paddling (SUP). The small rivers between the islands are sheltered from the high winds, which makes the area ideal for SUP. If you have no experience, it’s fine; Toronto Island SUP offers lessons at specific times. There is even some candlelight paddling at dawn. You have to reserve in advance though.

Hanlan’s Point is for beachgoers

And then there is Hanlan’s Point, the Western end of the islands. This is where the diehard beachgoers go. There is not much else to do other than lie down on the sandy beach and go for a swim. It is safe because it is not very deep. And a section of the beach is clothing optional : yes, you are allowed to be naked, it is perfectly legal as long as you stay in that specific area. But make sure you bring a lunch with you; there is no food available in that part of the island.

Check the ferry schedule if you choose to go to either Ward’s Island or Hanlan’s Point; the ferry departs every 45 minutes in either direction.

Enjoy your visit.

Postcards Ontario