10 Things to Do on Toronto Islands: How I Spent My Day There
The Toronto Islands are one of the best places to escape the busy city without actually leaving Toronto.
I visited the Toronto Islands in early July during my 3 days in Toronto, and it ended up being the highlight of my whole trip.
It is just a short ferry ride from downtown, and the islands are car-free, easy to get around, and full of things to do.
Whether you want to bike the trails, relax on the beach, grab a coffee, or see the skyline views, the Toronto Islands make for the perfect day trip. On my visit, I was surprised by how much there was to see and do!
Here is a detailed guide on the best things to do on Toronto Islands, plus everything you need to know before you go.
The Different Areas of Toronto Islands
The Toronto Islands aren’t just one island. They are a chain of 18 small islands connected by bridges and pathways. It is only about 5 km from end to end, so you can easily visit them all in one day.
Each area has its own vibe, and knowing a bit about them beforehand makes it easier to plan your visit.
Here is a map of the Toronto Islands so you can see it visually.
Centre Island
Centre Island is the busiest and most popular part of Toronto Islands.
It is home to Centreville Amusement Park, the pier with skyline views, picnic areas, and Centre Island Beach. This is also where you will find bike rentals at Toronto Island Bicycle Rental.
If it’s your first visit, Centre Island is the best place to start. We took the ferry to Centre Island, and I recommend doing the same.
Ward’s Island
Ward’s Island feels more like a neighborhood and has a relaxed feel.
There is a small residential community (some people live here year-round), a beach with skyline views, and a couple of food stops like Ward’s Island Café and Runaway Café.
It’s a good option if you want something quieter and more laid-back.
The ferry from downtown Toronto to Ward’s Island operates year-round since people do live on the island.
Fun Fact: Buying a house on Ward’s Island isn’t like buying one in the city. Homes are sold through a lottery-style waitlist rather than traditional listings.
Hanlan’s Point
Hanlan’s Point is most famous for its beach, part of which is clothing-optional, though there are family-friendly areas as well.
This side of the islands generally has fewer crowds than Centre Island, and it’s also home to the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse.
Algonquin Island
Algonquin Island is small and mostly residential, with charming houses right along the water.
It has a quiet, village-like feel, and the views of the Toronto skyline from here are fantastic.
It’s a perfect spot for a peaceful walk if you want to escape the busier parts of the islands.
➡️Check out my entire blog post where I cover everything I did & ate during my 3 days in Toronto!
10 Things to Do on Toronto Islands
In this post, I will share what I did during my one day on Toronto Islands, along with other popular things to do on Toronto Islands if you have extra time.
Below, I have included a Google Map with all the locations pinned.
1. Rent a Bike to Explore Toronto Islands
Since the islands are car-free, biking is one of the easiest ways to get around Toronto Islands.
You can rent single bikes, tandems, or quadricycles (which is what we did) from Toronto Island Bicycle Rental near Centre Island Beach. It cost us $40 to rent a quadricycle for one hour.
From there, we rode through Centre Island, Ward’s Island, and out toward Gibraltar Point. The paths are flat and easy to follow, so you can cover a lot of ground in just a couple of hours.
One of my favorite parts was walking around Algonquin Island after parking our bike. It feels like its own quiet neighborhood with homes right along the water.
Just a heads-up, you can’t take bikes over the bridges to the smaller islands. We parked our bike and walked to explore the areas we couldn’t bike to, taking turns so someone could stay with the bike since there were four of us.
2. Walk Around Toronto Islands
Walking is another great way to explore Toronto Islands if you don’t want to rent a bike.
The whole island is only about 5 km long, so you can easily explore on foot, but make sure to wear comfortable shoes! I wore my Hoka Clifton 9s, and I love them.
Some of the best walking spots include:
- Centre Island: beaches and the pier
- Ward’s Island: residential streets and waterfront paths.
- Hanlan’s Point: trails along the beach
- Algonquin Island: paths lined with houses and close to the water
- Olympic Island: trails with nature
➡️ If you are planning a full visit to Toronto, my 2-Day Toronto Itinerary shows how I fit the Toronto Islands into a shorter trip and what else I was able to see around the city.
3. Spend Some Time at the Beach
If you are visiting Toronto Islands in the summer, spending some time at the beach is a must!
Make sure to pack towels, swimsuits, and sunscreen if you plan to hang out for a while. There are public restrooms near the beaches where you can change. I recommend this collapsible backpack to store your stuff!
Each beach has a slightly different feel:
- Hanlan’s Point Beach: Toronto’s clothing-optional beach, though there are family-friendly areas where clothing is required
- Centre Island Beach: The most popular option, with lifeguards in the summer and calm waters for swimming.
- Ward’s Island Beach: Quieter and less crowded, with great city skyline views.
4. Grab Coffee from Runaway Cafe
Exploring the islands can take up most of the day, and if you’re like me, you will need a coffee break at some point!
I recommend going to Runaway Café, a super cute food truck on Ward’s Island with outdoor seating.
It is a nice spot to recharge with a coffee or snack before continuing your walk or bike ride.
5. Visit Centreville Amusement Park
If you are visiting with kids, Centreville Amusement Park is worth checking out. We even visited as adults and rode the Sky Ride!
It has an old-fashioned feel with small rides, a Ferris wheel, and the Sky Ride, where you can take in views from above in an open-air cable car.
Just a note, if you’re afraid of heights, the Sky Ride can feel a little nerve-wracking.
Nearby, there is Far Enough Farm, where kids can see farm animals.
6. Stop by Franklin Children’s Garden
Another family-friendly stop is the Franklin Children’s Garden, inspired by the Franklin the Turtle books. Some of my favorite books to read growing up!
It is a nature-themed play area where kids can explore.
7. See Gibraltar Point Lighthouse
Built in 1808, Gibraltar Point Lighthouse is one of the oldest landmarks in Toronto. It is also one of the oldest surviving lighthouses on the Great Lakes.
While you can’t go inside, you can walk around the grounds and read about its history.
It is a nice stop if you’re already biking or walking toward Hanlan’s Point.
8. Go Kayaking or Paddleboarding
If you are wanting something more active, you can rent a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard and explore the lagoons around the islands.
The calm waters make it a beginner-friendly place to try paddling, and it is a relaxing and fun way to see the nature around the islands.
Rentals are available on Ward’s Island at Toronto SUP Rentals. They also offer guided tours and experiences as well.
9. Enjoy the Skyline Views of Downtown Toronto
One of the highlights of visiting the Toronto Islands is the incredible skyline views you get from multiple spots on the islands.
The best views are from Centre Island Pier and along the south side of Centre Island, where you can see the CN Tower and downtown Toronto across the water.
Walking along the street of houses on Algonquin Island also gives you a great view of downtown Toronto’s skyline.
The ferry ride itself is also a great spot for photos of the skyline.
10. Have a Picnic
There are picnic areas all over the islands, and many people bring food with them to have a picnic.
It’s a great budget-friendly option if you don’t want to rely on the limited food stands that are pretty overpriced.
There aren’t many places to eat on Toronto Islands, and they are all pretty expensive. So, packing some food with you is a smart way to save money!
There is also a Subway close to where you get off the ferry on Centre Island and a few other places to eat on Toronto Islands. Food options are pretty limited.
Sample One-Day Toronto Islands Itinerary
If you only have one day on Toronto Islands, here is a way to make the most of it:
- Morning:
- Ferry: Take the ferry from Jack Layton Ferry Terminal to Centre Island. Try to catch one of the first ferries around 9–10 AM to beat the crowds.
- Rent Bikes: Rent bikes from Toronto Island Bicycle Rental and start your ride around Centre Island, Ward’s Island, and Gibraltar Point. Don’t miss walking through Algonquin Island to see the charming homes close to the water.
- Midday:
- Coffee: Stop for coffee or a snack at Runaway Cafe to recharge.
- Amusement Park: If you’re with kids (or young at heart!), spend some time at Centreville Amusement Park. Try the Ferris wheel and Sky Ride for great views.
- Relax at the Beach: Take a break on one of the beaches. Centre Island Beach is great for swimming, Ward’s Island Beach is quieter, and Hanlan’s Point has clothing-optional sections but family-friendly areas too.
- Afternoon:
- Ward’s Island: Walk around Ward’s Island to explore the small cottages and enjoy city skyline views from the quieter side of the islands.
- Lighthouse: Visit Gibraltar Point Lighthouse, the oldest surviving lighthouse on the Great Lakes, and snap some photos along the trails nearby.
- Evening:
- Head Back: Return your bikes and take a leisurely ferry back to downtown Toronto. If you have extra time, grab dinner near the waterfront or enjoy a sunset view of the city from the ferry.
How to Get to Toronto Islands from Toronto
Take the Ferry to Toronto Islands
The easiest way to get from downtown Toronto to the Toronto islands is by ferry.
The ferry leaves from the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal downtown and goes to Centre Island, Ward’s Island, or Hanlan’s Point.
I recommend taking the ferry that goes to Centre Island as it runs the most frequently and brings you to the best central location to start exploring Toronto Islands.
Here are some details on the ferry to Toronto Islands:
- Cost: Around $9 CAD roundtrip for adults. You can pay for the tickets with your credit card in person at the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal or online.
- Frequency: Every 30–45 minutes during the day. Check out the exact ferry schedule for the day you’re visiting here.
- Duration: About 10–15 minutes
I recommend taking the ferry to Centre Island since it puts you right in the middle and gives you easy access to everything.
For the best skyline views, stand on the second level of the boat during the ride.
P.S. If you’re visiting during the winter, the ferry only travels to Ward’s Island.
Water Taxi
If you don’t want to wait for the ferry, water taxis are another option on getting to Toronto Islands from downtown.
They’re more expensive but faster, and they run frequently from the Harbourfront area.
Here are some water taxi options that will take you from downtown Toronto to Toronto Islands:
When to Visit Toronto Islands
The best time to visit Toronto Islands is definitely during the summer (June through September), when the amusement park is open, beaches are swimmable, and bike rentals are available.
Weekends can get busy, so if possible, try to go on a weekday for fewer crowds.
The islands are open year-round, but many attractions close in the fall and winter.
You can still walk around, take photos of the skyline, or even cross-country ski, but it’s a much quieter experience compared to the summer.
If you’re visiting during the winter, the ferry only goes to Ward’s Island.
Final Thoughts on Things to Do on Toronto Islands
The Toronto Islands are the perfect day trip if you want a break from the city. It was the highlight of my 3 day trip to Toronto, so I highly recommend visiting if you have the time!
There is no shortage of things to do on Toronto Islands. You can spend your time biking, relaxing on the beach, grabbing coffee, or checking out the amusement park.
No matter what you do on Toronto Islands it is definitely worth a visit for the beautiful skyline views alone!
Be sure to check out my other Toronto blog posts!
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