Toronto Islands
Toronto Islands provide an unbeatable outdoor oasis just a short ferry ride from Downtown Toronto
Toronto Islands and Toronto Island Park form a beautiful pedestrian only oasis comprised of 570 acres of small islands in Lake Ontario across from downtown Toronto. After a fun 10 minute ferry ride from Downtown Toronto, you will find there are no cars, just fabulous beaches, trails, gardens, attractions and more, making this a fantastic place to enjoy the day.
The islands were originally a long sand spit formed by a combination of erosion of the Scarborough Bluffs and currents in the lake. Storms in the 1800s opened up channels in the spit to form islands. With no intervention the islands would have eventually eroded away, but they have been protected by the extension of the Leslie Street Spit and 'hardening' of the shore lines. Land has also been reclaimed over the years by dredging up sand from the harbour.
The islands are now home to the Regional City Centre Airport along with Parkland, Beaches and over 250 homes and cottages, but no cars! Vehicle traffic is limited to service vehicles making the islands a peaceful place to spend some time strolling or cycling. There were once over 600 homes and cottages in the community, but the city wanted to convert most of the islands to parkland and, in a battle with residents that lasted for decades, expropriated and demolished the majority of the homes on the island. The battle was finally settled in 1993 with the remaining residents able to purchase a 99 year lease. Access to the islands is provided via ferry service from Queens Quay in Downtown Toronto. The ferries operate daily from morning until nighttime. For information on fares and schedules go click on the 'Map and Directions' tab. You can also contact the Ferries by phone at 416-397-2628.
Recreation on the islands includes Centreville Amusement Park, a children's turn-of-the-century themed amusement park with a miniature railroad, vintage carousel, ferris wheel. pony rides and more. It is open daily during the summer months.
Located just east of the Centreville Amusement Park you will find Far Enough Farms, a free petting zoo with over 40 species of farm animals and exotic birds on display. This is a great place to take your kids and will appeal to the kid in all of us. It is open from 10am-5pm 365 days a year.
There are several swimming beaches on the islands. Recreational boating is popular with the islands being home to four yacht clubs and the Toronto Island Marina. Canoe and boat rentals are available from Toronto Island Boathouse on Centre Island and Bike Rentals are available next to the pier on Ward Island.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: Yes - For ferry service to the islandsAddress: Toronto Islands, St Lawrence-East Bayfront-The Islands, ON, Canada
Toronto Islands Reviews
Rated out of 5
beautiful views of the skyline. there are a lot of things you can do, if you have kids or enjoy amusement parks centreville is fun. would definitely recommend bringing/renting a bike if you want to explore the island !!! also the food is pretty expensive so bring a lunch or be prepared for that
phoebe - a month ago
Visited Toronto Islands recently and it honestly felt like a peaceful escape from the busy city life. The ferry ride itself was such a beautiful experience — the cool breeze, the relaxing sound of the water, and the stunning views of the Toronto skyline made the trip memorable even before reaching the island.
Everything felt calm and refreshing. Walking around the island with the sound of waves nearby was incredibly relaxing and gave such a peaceful vibe. The scenery is beautiful everywhere you look, especially near the water. It’s the perfect place to unwind, relax your mind, enjoy nature, and spend quality time with family or friends.
The ferry was smooth, organized, and added so much to the overall experience. Watching the water sparkle while sitting on the ferry was honestly one of the best parts of the visit.
Highly recommend visiting at least once if you’re in Toronto — especially during good weather. It’s a perfect little getaway without even leaving the city.
Kavita Sharma - a month ago
Beautiful Toronto Island, what there is to say? It's amazing and I would say underrated take a Citi bike and bike around and you find some cool hidden gems.
Mohammad Jafari - a month ago
Toronto Islands are one of the best places to visit in the city. The view of the skyline from across the water is absolutely breathtaking, especially at sunset. Whether it’s summer or fall, the islands are stunning.
There are three islands, each with its own charm. You can take a boat to any of them (check the schedule), or grab a water taxi near Harbourfront for a more relaxing ride. The return trip from the island is free even if you didn’t take the ferry.
The are a few beaches which are clean and scenic, perfect for summer days. I highly recommend going on a weekday, ideally in the morning to avoid crowds (it can be VERY crowdy on weekends). On weekdays it is quiet, peaceful, and you might feel like you have the whole place to yourself.
The best way to explore is by renting a bike through Bike Share. There are lots of them available. There is also a nice boardwalk on the opposite side of the islands (no bikes permitted though). But the best part is of course the iconic view from Centre Island. There are also a few cafes for a quick snack, plenty of picnic spots, lots of water stations.
Overall, Toronto Islands are a must-see!
Daria Kurovskaya - 8 months ago
I visited Toronto Islands during the winter and it was such a unique experience. Taking the ferry over in the cold was actually really nice, and the views of the city skyline from the boat were beautiful.
Once we got there, everything felt so calm and peaceful since there weren’t many people around. One of the coolest parts was being able to walk on the frozen lake—it’s not something you get to do every day, and it made the whole trip feel special.
Even though it was cold, it was definitely worth it for the views and the quiet atmosphere. I’d love to go back again in another season.
YTT - 2 months ago
Directions
| Streetcar and Ferry Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Yonge-University-Spadina | Union Station | 2 MInutes |
How to get to Toronto Islands by Streetcar and Ferry
From Union Station take either the #509 Harbourfront or #510 Spadina streetcar and get off at Bay and Queen's Quay Stop. The entrance to the ferry docks is on the south side of the street. See the Toronto Island Ferry Schedule for sailing times.
The ferry trip is not included in the TTC fare. The round trip on the ferry is $7.00 for Adults, $4.50 for Seniors and Students under 19 and $3.50 for children 2-13.
Accommodations near Toronto Islands:
Photo Gallery
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A picturesque bridge in the Toronto Islands cc licensed photo by sillygwailo -
Photo Credit: daniel0685 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: daniel0685 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: daniel0685 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: daniel0685 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: daniel0685 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: daniel0685 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: daniel0685 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: daniel0685 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: daniel0685 - cc license via Flickr
