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. Friends of Toronto Islands website is a good source of additional information about the islands.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: Yes - For ferry service to the islands
Open Now: No
Hours This Week:- Monday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Thursday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Friday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Saturday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Sunday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Address: Middle Island - Olympic Island, Toronto, ON M5V, Canada
Phone: (416) 392-8196
Official Website: Toronto Islands
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.
Reviews
Rated out of 5
My wife and I usually try to visit the island once a year. It's a great spot to take your bikes and tour the whole island. There are are small restaurants a couple of bars and a nude beach if you so choose:). It's a great place to sit back and relax. We like to take a bottle of wine with us to sip on while sitting on the pier or on the grass watching the planes landing and taking off. If you stay until the last ferry leaves in the evening. You can see the cityscape all lit up. It's beautiful sight. Great place for young kids also. They have a petting zoo and small rides.
OMGGAMER 21 - 2 days ago
My wife and I usually try to visit the island once a year. It's a great spot to take your bikes and tour the whole island. There are are small restaurants a couple of bars and a nude beach if you so choose:). It's a great place to sit back and relax. We like to take a bottle of wine with us to sip on while sitting on the pier or on the grass watching the planes landing and taking off. If you stay until the last ferry leaves in the evening. You can see the cityscape all lit up. It's beautiful sight. Great place for young kids also. They have a petting zoo and small rides.
Really nice park to spend the day in nature. The pier and beaches are the best parts, and I bet it all looks even better in summer/fall! The ferry over is $7.71 and try to be on the right-hand side to take amazing photos of the Toronto skyline. You can expect to spend from 4 to 6 hours on the island, and if you can bring your own food for a picnic then do so, the restaurants are usually packed. I'm giving it 4 stars because there is no real organisation when boarding the ferry and it was absolute chaos getting to the park. The way back was way more organised. Do recommend seeing this island before leaving Toronto though!
Jenny Medeiros - 1 month ago
Really nice park to spend the day in nature. The pier and beaches are the best parts, and I bet it all looks even better in summer/fall! The ferry over is $7.71 and try to be on the right-hand side to take amazing photos of the Toronto skyline. You can expect to spend from 4 to 6 hours on the island, and if you can bring your own food for a picnic then do so, the restaurants are usually packed. I'm giving it 4 stars because there is no real organisation when boarding the ferry and it was absolute chaos getting to the park. The way back was way more organised. Do recommend seeing this island before leaving Toronto though!
Sebastian Kluth - 1 month ago
Christine H. - 1 month ago
Annemieke Roeland - 4 months ago
Video
Photo Gallery
A picturesque bridge in the Toronto Islands cc licensed photo by sillygwailo -
TIES THAT BIND cc licensed photo by marc falardeau -
Toronto summer. cc licensed photo by kaybee07 -
Toronto cc licensed photo by oeᴈib -
Center Island - Toronto cc licensed photo by CarolineALEXANDRE -
Center Island - Toronto cc licensed photo by CarolineALEXANDRE -
Long Pond cc licensed photo by ruffin_ready -
Center Island - Toronto cc licensed photo by CarolineALEXANDRE -
CN Tower cc licensed photo by Stefan Ogrisek -
Toronto Centre Island: Beach cc licensed photo by chrislee-cm -
Center Island - Toronto cc licensed photo by CarolineALEXANDRE -
Centre Island Ferry Terminal, Toronto Islands_3417 cc licensed photo by Bobolink -
Toronto Centre Island: Pier cc licensed photo by chrislee-cm -
Toronto Queen's Quay: Piers cc licensed photo by chrislee-cm -
Toronto Centre Island Run cc licensed photo by Loimere -
Center Island - Toronto cc licensed photo by CarolineALEXANDRE
