Set on the banks of Lake Ontario, Hamilton is surrounded by the province’s Great Lakes. It is no wonder the city is within an hour’s drive from some of the province’s best beaches.
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From freely accessible public beaches located directly within the city to beautiful protected expanses of white sands, these are the 13 best beaches in Hamilton for enjoying some of the best beach days Ontario offers.
The 13 Best Beaches In Hamilton
1. Confederation Beach Park
Covering an expansive 93 hectares along Lake Ontario, Confederation Beach Park has become a staple for the Hamilton community, with several onsite amenities and plenty of park space for a fun family beach day.
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Along with promising a long stretch of coastline for sunbathing and frolicking in the waves, the local park also features a mini golf course and bumper cars at Adventure Village and plenty of water slides and active fun at Wild Waterworks Water Park.
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Meanwhile, Barranga’s on the Beach and Hutch’s on the Beach provide great food and beautiful views of the lake.
2. Crystal Beach
Also known as Bay Beach, Crystal Beach isn’t technically in the Hamilton area. However, with beautifully clear waters, white sand beaches, and plenty of family-friendly amenities and activities, this seemingly perfect coastal getaway on Lake Erie is well worth the hour’s drive over to Fort Erie.
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Crystal Beach must purchase a day pass to access the beach. Still, guests are rewarded with one of the best beaches in Ontario.
3. Van Wagner’s Beach
Set adjacent to Confederation Beach Park in Hamilton, Van Wagner’s Beach promises an extended sandy shoreline along Lake Ontario. With plenty of restaurants, campgrounds, and parks lining its waters, van Wagner’s Beach is popular amongst locals and tourists, although there is typically enough room to claim your own space on the beach.
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Additionally, the water quality at Van Wagner’s is tested weekly, ensuring safe and family-friendly swimming conditions for an enjoyable summer day.
4. Burlington Beach
Also located on the shore of Lake Ontario, Burlington Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the Hamilton area among families, thanks to its shallow water and sandy shores.Â
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What’s even better is that the beach features full amenities for an extended beach day, including washrooms, outdoor showers, a playground, and even a snack bar.
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Be sure to arrive at the beach early when visiting on hot days, as the sandy shores are popular and can quickly become crowded.
5. Christie Lake
Situated just outside of Glenwood Heights, the Christie Lake Conservation Area is just a short drive from the city of Hamilton and features a 360-metre-long sandy beach along the lake’s northern shorelines.
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Offering plenty of outdoor adventures throughout the conservation area, visitors can dip into the refreshing water, bathe in the sun, or build a sandcastle. Alternatively, the park also features a disc golf course and is a particularly popular spot for kayaking and paddleboarding.
6. Turkey Point
Like Crystal Beach, Turkey Point requires a little over an hour to reach from Hamilton and sites along the shores of Lake Erie. Still, with over 2 km of beautiful white sand, it is one of my favourite beaches in Ontario, with great nearby camping and water sports.
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Operated by Ontario Provincial Park Services, Turkey Point is a beautiful beach destination surrounded by plenty of natural beauty.
7. Hamilton Beach
Connecting Confederation Beach Park in the south to Burlington Beach in the north, Hamilton Beach lines beach blvd along the western shores of Lake Ontario. The beach promises plenty of nearby restaurants and outdoor attractions, along with several sections of white sand for sprawling out as you dip in the water.
8. Sunnyside Beach
Located about an hour’s drive from Hamilton, Sunnyside is a small west-end neighbourhood in Toronto with an idyllic beach town vibe along Lake Ontario. With beach volleyball courts, kayak rentals, and other onsite amenities, this is one of the most popular public beaches in the city and is great for people watching and enjoying a social setting.
9. Binbrook Conservation Area
Home to the 391-hectare man-made Lake Niapenco, the Binbrook Conservation Area is full of outdoor adventures, including one of the best sandy beaches in Hamilton. The lake is popular for watercraft rentals, such as wakeboarding, kayaking, and boating. Meanwhile, the park’s on-land adventures include hiking, sand castle building and more.
10. Fifty Point Beach
One of the best-kept secrets of Hamilton, Fifty Point Beach is a favourite destination among locals but is not quite as renowned among the city’s tourist scene. The beach promises extensive shorelines of clean, soft sands and plenty of space for enjoying a traditional beach day with your family or close friends.
11. Kelso Beach
Set on the southern banks of Kelso Lake near Milton, Kelso Beach is one of the best beaches in Hamilton for families, boasting an on-duty lifeguard for a fun, laid-back, and safe beach day.
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The park offers canoe and paddle board rentals, along with traditional beach-going activities, such as sunbathing, beach volleyball, and sand castle building. The park also offers camping and picnic areas for an extended weekend getaway or day trip.
12. Valen’s Conservation Area
Valen’s Conservation Area is another fantastic protected park boasting its own lakeside beach, perfect for a family getaway. The beach is kept extremely clean and promises onsite facilities within its campsites and park grounds.
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Along with offering onsite camping, the conservation area also offers canoe rentals for exploring its waterways.
13. Sunset Beach
While an hour away from Hamilton, Sunset Beach is one of the region’s most beautiful beaches and promises some of the best evening views of any beach in the area, with its sunsets being well worth the extended drive to witness.
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Located in St Catherines, Sunset Beach promises expansive raked sands, clear water and fewer crowds than some of the beaches found within the city. Additionally, Niagara Falls is located just a short drive away, making this a great stopping point along an extended weekend trip.
