Hanlan's Point Beach Toronto

"I’ve visited this beach twice, and both experiences were quite different. On weekends, it gets pretty crowded, but you’ll still be able to find a spot thanks to the wide, open sandy area. When I went during a weekday, it was much more relaxed and peaceful, with fewer people around. The vibe is very chill and respectful, everyone seems to mind their own business. Since it’s a clothing-optional beach, you’ll see some people nude and others not, and it all feels very natural and judgment-free.

The island itself is quite large, so I recommend bringing your bike or renting one once you arrive, it’ll make getting around much easier, especially if you’re not up for a long walk. That said, walking is also a great way to take in the beautiful greenery and natural surroundings. Just be mindful of mosquitoes; bringing insect repellent is a good idea.

The views from the beach and the island are stunning, and the whole experience feels like a mini escape from the city. To get there, you can enjoy a scenic ferry ride, or if you’re in a hurry to return, consider taking a water taxi for a quicker trip back to the mainland."

Sebastian Botero

"We really enjoyed our visit! A few tips if you’re planning to go:
• The sand is pretty dark, which means it gets very hot under the sun — make sure to bring a towel or mat to sit on.
• There aren’t many big trees or natural shade, so a large umbrella is highly recommended.
• The water is very cold — personally, I found it refreshing and amazing, but some people in my group thought it was too chilly to enjoy. It really depends on your taste!
• The vibe is super open: dog-friendly, gay-friendly, clothing-optional — but not exclusively gay. It’s a very cool and relaxed mix of people.
• And of course, you get this unique experience of being on a beach with the Toronto skyline right behind you — absolutely beautiful.

Overall, if you’re looking for a different kind of beach experience in Toronto, Hanlan’s Beach is definitely worth checking out!"

Rocky

"Honest review from a first-time visitor:

We went on a sunny Sunday afternoon. I had read that the south end of the beach was traditionally the more nude area, so we went to access #4. It was a complete mix of straight, gay, lesbian and trans. A few bohemian types and even a couple of families with young children, all very chilled. Not everyone was nude, but 60-70% were. The beach was busy, but still easy enough to find a spot to put our towels down. It was a great atmosphere and nice to be with so many locals enjoying the hot weekend weather.

HOWEVER: we decided to go back 2 days later, on a Tuesday afternoon. The beach was obviously much quieter, but we still found a nice spot between access #3 and #4 near to some other nudists. Unfortunately, on this occasion we found ourselves being passed by several gawkers, particularly groups of Indian men pretending to be on their phones (most likely using their cameras). This was rather disappointing given our fantastic first experience on the Sunday.

So my advice would be to go on the weekend with the locals for the best atmosphere!"

Tim Warneck