This small pebble beach is located on the west island of Ontario Place and provides wide open beautiful views of Lake Ontario.  Hidden in the three artificial landscaped islands offshore of Lake Ontario, this beautiful green space is not designated for swimming, but Lake Ontario Waterkeeper believes that can change, and it is frequented by many local open water swimmers.

The Ontario Place islands make up an iconic waterfront park in Toronto.  The park hosts activities like outdoor yoga, segway tours, Jazz Sundays and Lake Shore Boat rentals.

Ontario Place has huge potential to become an incredible place for people to get into the water, but it doesn't meet the criteria for an official beach in Toronto yet.  The water is not as accessible as it should be and some debris/fill may make water entry and exit hazardous for swimmers.  Ontario Place is discouraging people from swimming there, even though increasing numbers of people are seeking it out.

Lake Ontario Waterkeeper began monitoring water quality here in 2019.  The work is part of Swim Drink Fish’s community-based water monitoring work.  Waterkeeper is looking at water quality data to see if the site would be suitable for swimming.  In 2022 Lake Ontario Waterkeeper began sampling the site year round to support the future of the site, and those that use Toronto's most central beach for winter swimming.

Swim Drink Fish staff and trained Citizen Scientists test the water at the Ontario Place West Island Beach on Tue and Thu.  New results are posted here and to Swim Guide on Wed and Fri afternoons until the end of September.  Want to get involved with monitoring?  You can Volunteer at Lake Ontario Waterkeeper.

The description above was copied from or heavily based on Swim Guide, with permission.

More Information

• UrbanToronto Coverage of Redevelopment Proposal - Unpacking Therme Group's Spa Attraction at Ontario Place
• BlogTO - Popular beach in downtown Toronto faces threat of private development
• Petition (change.org) - Review and sign this petition to help keep Ontario Place West Island Beach public.
• 3D Model - This VR 3D model of the beach was created by Scott Williams using a Matterport.
• SwimOP - Group of open water enthusiasts that do research and advocacy for safe and welcoming swimming at Ontario Place.
• The Future of Ontario Place Project - Working to build public knowledge of Ontario Place site heritage, and to imagine the future as a public cultural asset.
• Swim Guide - Weather and water quality for Ontario Place West Island Beach and 8,000 other beaches.
• Wikipedia
• Google Maps