Set on the banks of the beautiful St. Clair River Delta feeding into Lake Huron, Sarnia boasts some breathtaking beach destinations with clear waters and white sand beaches.
In fact, the city is just a short drive from three blue flag marinas and beaches and numerous lesser-known beaches, promising a fantastic beach day experience at a great selection of coastal hotspots in Southwestern Ontario.
Whether seeking an isolated hideaway along the shores of Lake Erie or a bustling beach town community directly on Lake Huron, these are the ten best Sarnia Ontario Beaches located in town or just a short drive from the city.
A Quick Look At The 10 Best Sarnia Ontario Beaches
The 10 Best Sarnia Ontario Beaches
1. Canatara Beach
When it comes to beautiful beaches in Sarnia, the Canatara Park Beach is hard to beat.
Spanning nearly a kilometre along Lake Huron’s shores just north of Point Edward near the mouth of the St. Clair River, Canatara Beach boasts 3000 feet of soft sand, playground equipment, a concert stage, rentable picnic pavilions, and an animal farm that makes this beach the most popular in Sarnia.
Along with being one of only 27 Blue Flag Beaches in Canada, this inviting stretch of shoreline sits adjacent to Sarnia’s Canatara Park — a 200-acre park with hiking trails, picnic areas, a BMX park, and a bike track.
2. Bright Grove Beach
Located just a short drive along the shores of Lake Huron, Bright Grove Beach is a beautifully scenic location set in the middle of a quaint cottage community. While there is a long stretch of sandy beach at the base of the rocks, this area can occasionally be covered by high water levels.
Still, the rocky edges leading to the beach make for a picturesque beach-going experience with several onsite amenities, including bathrooms and on-duty lifeguards during peak times.
3. Murphy Road Beach
A small urban beach in the Oakwood Corners neighbourhood, Murphy Road Beach is one of the best lesser-known beaches in Sarnia. It promises shallow waters perfect for family-friendly swimming.
And while the shoreline is lined by small pebbles, the floor softens up in the water with nice soft sands. While visitors are welcome to walk the stretch of beach, those looking to sit along the shore need to set themselves in the public area.
4. Baxter Beach
Set adjacent to Baxter Park, Baxter Beach is another lesser-visited beach in Sarnia and makes for a fantastic family outing filled with plenty of outdoor activities and swimming opportunities.
The park space is filled with several amenities, including a pickleball court, a basketball hoop, a picnic area, and a public restroom. And after working up a sweat, visitors can head over to the shoreline, where they will find a stretch of soft sand leading into the cooling waters of Lake Huron.
5. The Cove
Tucked away along the western edge of Cantara Beach, The Cove is a picturesque beach with breathtaking views of Blue Water Bridge. While the beach can become busy around sunset, the morning and afternoon are great times to visit with family, with The Cove boasting protected freshwater free from any form of current.
The Cove features about 250 metres of soft golden sands and is the perfect setting for swimming and sunbathing, while onsite amenities include washrooms, showers, a playground, and volleyball courts.
6. Modeland Beach
Located about halfway between Murphy Road Beach and Bright Grove Beach, Modeland Beach is another small, less-frequently visited escape along the sandy shore of Lake Huron, promising plenty of onsite amenities for a fun family beach day just outside the city of Sarnia.
Promising plenty of space to claim your own slice of soft sands, Modeland Beach is particularly beautiful to visit for sunsets.
7. Sarnia Long Beach
Connecting Canatara Beach with The Cove, Sarnia Long Beach is a quieter section of Ontario’s Blue Coast in Sarnia, promising ample soft golden sands and picturesque views of Blue Water Bridge spanning the mouth of the St. Clair River.
8. Grand Bend Beach
Located about an hour’s drive from Sarnia in Lambton County, Grand Bend Beach is one of the premier beach destinations in Ontario and makes for a fantastic day trip spent soaking in the sun along the Lake Huron shoreline.
Along with boasting official blue flag status and approximately 20 acres of parkland and sandy beach areas, Grand Bend promises ample space to spread out and enjoy your own slice of this idyllic coastline.
You can soak in the sun along the Main Beach while taking advantage of the restaurants and shops of The Strip, or you can venture over to The Pinery Provincial Park, where you will enjoy some of the most breathtaking sunset views in the world from its unique coastal dune ecosystems.
Meanwhile, visitors looking for a more active beach day can head over to Xtreme Watersports, where they can enjoy a variety of watersport rentals, including jet ski and boat rentals.
9. Port Stanley Beach
Promising another quieter beach town setting along a blue flag shoreline, Port Stanley Beach is about an hour and fifteen minutes from downtown Sarnia but provides one of the best beach day experiences in Canada.
Set on the shores of Lake Erie, Port Stanley promises small-town charms along the picturesque sands, complete with beachside restaurants and bars. While the beach can be visited along a day trip, the town also features a great selection of beachside cottages for an extended beach holiday.
10. Port Glasgow
Located just down the coast from Port Stanley along the shores of Lake Erie, Port Glasgow is another great destination for enjoying a beach day near Sarnia and promises a less bustling atmosphere than those found at the larger, more popular beaches of southwest Ontario.
Despite not boasting the crowds of Port Stanley or Grand Bend, Port Glasgow promises plenty of onsite amenities, including boat charters, a fishing pier, and beachside restaurants.
