Famous for its crystal clear waters and untouched natural beauty at the peak of the Bruce Peninsula National Park, Tobermory is Ontario’s outdoor playground and one of the premier diving sites in Canada.
From its untouched wildernesses to its vibrant aquatic ecosystems, there is plenty to experience within this corner of paradise, including some truly breathtaking secluded beaches and shoreline hideaways.
Whether looking for a quick dip along a hike through the national park or a more traditional beach holiday, these are the nine best beaches in Tobermory for soaking along the surreal shores of Lake Huron and the Georgian Bay.
A Quick Look At The Best Beaches In Tobermory
The 9 Best Beaches In Tobermory, Ontario
1. Indian Head Cove
Indian Head Cove is one of the most scenic areas along the Tobermory shoreline, promising crystal clear waters surrounded by rugged limestone rocks and a white boulder beach.
Meanwhile, below the surface of the glass-like waters is the Grotto — an underwater cave that you must dive below the surface to experience. Between its natural beauty and sense of adventurous cave network, Indian Head Cove is easily the best beach in Tobermory that you have to visit when in the Bruce Peninsula.
However, accessing the idyllic setting is easier said than done. With no road access, the only way to reach the beach is via one of the numerous hiking trails weaving their way through the park, including the Bruce Trail. With that said, the beach’s remote isolation only adds to the destination’s overall serenity.
While longer hikes add to the reward of reaching the landmark, the easiest route to Indian Head Cove is along the half-hour hike from Cyprus Lake and the Cyprus Lake Campground.
2. Little Cove Beach
Protected within the Little Cove Provincial Park, Little Cove Beach is one of the more secluded beaches in Tobermory but promises a scenic stretch of shoreline for dipping into Lake Huron.
Surrounded by barrens, palisade woodlands, karst pavements, and scrub cliffs, Little Cove Beach promises all the beauty of the Bruce Peninsula and provides hiking trails to various landmarks, including Driftwood Cove and Loon Lake.
Despite its seclusion along the northern tip of the Bruce Peninsula, Little Cove Beach can be easily reached along Little Cove Road. Just be sure to pack water shoes, as the beach is rocky.
3. Fathom Five National Marine Park
The best area to explore the crystal clear waters around the Bruce Peninsula is within the Fathom Five Marine Park, located near the main harbour area of Tobermory.
The park’s sparkling and shallow water, Flowerpot Island’s unique rock formations, and rugged Lake Huron shoreline cliffs promise plenty of scenic beauty for your relaxing beach day. Meanwhile, the area also works to protect endemic ecosystems and is a popular spot to spot monarch butterflies, eastern ribbon snakes, and several different fish species.
Beyond its natural wonders, the Fathom Five National Marine Park is also home to 24 shipwrecks, which, combined with the near limitless visibility of the water, makes for some of the best snorkelling and scuba diving locations in all of Canada.
The diversity of this beautiful part of Bruce Peninsula National Park has even garnered the marine park the esteemed reputation of being named a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.
4. Singing Sands Beach
Offering a more traditional beach day, Singing Sands Beach is the largest beach near Tobermory and promises plenty of onsite amenities for a fun day along the shores of Lake Huron.
Promising a long expanse of sandy beach, the ungroomed shores feature plenty of natural beauty, including native foliage and rare plants. Meanwhile, the beach’s day-use area provides a great spot to spread out and lounge and includes a restroom, picnic area, and changing rooms.
Be sure to walk over to the Big Tub Lighthouse for some of the best news of the whole beach.
5. Sauble Beach
While located about an hour from Tobermory to the southwestern shores of the Bruce Peninsula, Sauble Beach is worth the short drive to soak along the sands of the world’s second-largest freshwater beach.
Boasting 11 km of shoreline, Sauble Beach promises all of your beach day classics, from sandcastle building and soaking in the sun to a world of adventurous water sports. Sauble Beach is also one of the few places in Ontario where you can surf, with board rentals available from kiosks along Main Beach.
6. Dunks Bay
A little closer to town, it is less than a two-minute drive to the free parking lot at Dunks Bay from Tobermory, but you don’t have to travel far from the village to experience the Bruce Peninsula at its most beautiful.
While smaller than some other public beaches featured on this list, Dunks Bay is an ideal spot to visit on a calm sunny day and is at its most pristine at non-peak times to avoid crowds.
There is a hiking trail that leads to Dunk Point and Little Dunks Bay, promising plenty of scenic views for nature lovers and photographers.
7. Stokes Bay
Another of the most beautiful beaches in the Great Lakes region is located about a half-hour’s drive south of Tobermory and is nestled along the picturesque shores of Lake Huron.
Set within the Black Creek Provincial Park, Stokes Bay can be reached via road and promises a more pristine natural beach than other features on this list. It is perfect for a quiet beach day, walking through untouched nature and picture-perfect sunset landscapes.
While the beach makes for a great day trip from Tobermory, visitors can also stay along the beautiful park at Heron Point Campground.
8. Bluewater Beach
Set along the shores of Colpoy’s Bay, the beach at Bluewater Park is located in Wiarton, about a 50-minute drive south to the base of the Bruce Peninsula.
Promising the region’s crystal clear water and plenty of rugged natural beauty lining its shore, the beach is also within walking distance of several restaurants, shops, and facilities along Main Street of the small town, making for a convenient family beach day in an urban setting.
Along with offering a breathtaking beach, Bluewater Park also features camping, a swimming pool, tennis courts, splash pads, a baseball field, and a playground area, making it one of the best amenities beaches near Tobermory.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
9. Driftwood Cove Beach
A well-kept secret of Tobermory’s picture-perfect shorelines, Driftwood Cove, features far fewer tourists than the other beaches featured on this list but maintains all the natural beauty.
Once kept from the public as private property, Driftwood Cove was purchased by Parks Canada in 2018 and added to the protected lands of the Bruce Peninsula National Park.
Home to some of the oldest trees in North America, this quiet cove is one of the best places to enjoy secluded swimming and hiking to nearby landmarks.
