Are you confused with how many beaches there are at Wasaga Beach? Read this blog to gain an overview of the 14 km sandy strip, before you hit the beach! Although there is no camping at this provincial park, there are numerous accommodations available: hotels, motels, cabins, airbnb, etc. We stayed at Adrian's, located across Beach Area 3.
As the longest freshwater beach in the world, Wasaga Beach, situated on the southern shores of Georgian Bay, can proudly boast about its white, silky shoreside and stunning sunsets. Adding to these are the funky stores, foodie treats, and a natural beachy vibe. Wasaga Beach Provincial Park has 8 beaches - Beach Areas 1-6, New Wasaga Beach and Allenwood Beach. Interspersed between the Provincial Park beaches are public shops, restaurants, parking, and private homes. The whole area is linked by the Wasaga Beach Shore Lane Trail, so be sure to bring your bikes, or rent them from many retailers in the area.
Parking:
There are three separate parking options -
1. parking at one of the 8 provincial beach parking lots
2. parking at one of the town's municipal lots
3. private parking.
Rates vary. Be aware of where you are parking so you aren't ticketed. For example, your provincial park permit is not applicable in the municipal or private lots and vice versa.
1. Provincial Park parking - available at each entrance gate, you will need to purchase a daily vehicle permit, or you can use your seasonal or annual pass.
Rates: Day use
Here are some useful bits of information taken from an Ontario Parks blog:
"Parking privileges are first come, first served. If you leave the park during the day after gaining entry, you are NOT guaranteed re-entrance. If you leave the park during the day after entry and the lot fills, you will NOT be permitted entry back into the park until the lots and beaches have enough space again.
In addition, the purchase of an annual or seasonal Ontario Parks pass does not give you priority access to provincial park beach areas. If we hit capacity and close our gates, you will not be able to enter."
As Adrian's was located across the street from Beach Area 3, we did not need to pay for parking when we visited this beach. I did, however, buy a daily pass the first time we visited Beach Area 2.
2. Municipal parking - there are several municipal parking lots dispersed throughout the town, some right next to the beach. Find all of the locations here.
Rates vary according to where the lot is located and how long you will be staying. For a complete list, click on this link.
One day we parked in a municipal parking lot next to Beach Area 2 because it was so convenient. There is a daily rate, which is the best deal if you are staying for the day. Yes, there were by-law officers checking to ensure that everyone had a permit.
3. Private parking - there are private parking lots scattered around town.
My friend, who came for the day, parked in a private lot and paid a flat rate using cash. Usually, private parking lots will have home-made signs on the road.
Day 1
We arrived at Adrian's, located close to the Provincial Park Beach Area 3 parking, as well as Grandma's Beach Treats, and Mr. Norm's Nephew, which are both not to be missed. Adrian's provides basic cottages, a beach house and condos. We stayed in the top condo.
Photos above: playground, gazebo, cottages, picnic area, beach house and condo building
Once unpacked, we all jumped on our bikes and rode to Beach Area 1, wanting to check out the main strip.
Before we even reached our destination, the kids deserted their bikes and ran into the water when we found a public entrance way to the beach.
Seeing the strip for the first time and then riding home with the setting sun.
Video taken by Lila at Beach Area 2, on the board walk, on our bike ride back to Adrian's.
Day 2
Deciding to keep it easy this day, we walked over to Provincial Park Beach Area 3 located across the street from Adrian's.
Like any good beach day, we swam, read, slept, soaked up the sun, played soccer and football. Not wanting to leave for lunch, we opted to order take out from Stacked Pancake and Breakfast House to picnic on the beach. All or our meals were delicious. Beach Area 3 does not have a wide sandy area. Instead, the water comes almost all the way to an embankment. There is a sandy area on this upper level. A lot of trees line the beach and we benefitted from the shade. Picnic tables are scattered around, but are first-come first-served.
Indulging in dessert at Grandma's Beach Treats, conveniently located near our condo.
Day 3
Beach Area1, right next to the strip, is the busiest beach so we woke early to drive over and secure a parking spot. As it was a windy day, the kids played in the waves and on their boogie boards. We attempted to set up a volleyball net, but the wind kept blowing it over.
With the beach strip nearby we all ventured over at different times to shop, dine or just observe.
Tas was getting too much sun so she bought a cute sunhat. We enjoyed some gelato, while taking a break from the beach, and reminisced our trip to Italy, where gelato was a daily snack.
I always have this weird desire to walk a beach to its end. No one else shared this same feeling, so I ventured out on my own to see the end of Beach Area 1. I came across a fenced off space designated for Piping Plovers, endangered shorebirds that nest along the shore. The Provincial Park is committed to protecting these birds, by sectioning off areas where the Piping Plovers are nesting. Other wildlife habitats are also protected, which helped Wasaga Beach earn the first 'blue flag' award in Canada.
Later in the evening we rode around, stopping to take photos of the colorful sunset. Back in the condo we played a hilarious game of charades.
Day 4
Wanting to check out another beach, but still be close to the strip, we chose to visit Beach Area 2. This beach area has a flat, sandy surface with a boardwalk running parallel to the water, separating the beach into two sections. As the water was a bit calmer, we bought a double seated floatie from a tourist store for Tas and her friend, Lila, to float on.
Unfortunately, the Main Street Market, a foodie's smorgasbord, was closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
All was not lost - the foodhaus delivered the tasty cravings we were having. Deep fried pickles and tacos - yum!
We cut the day at the beach a bit shorter because the girls were feeling the heat. As they rested at the condo I took my bike and rode to Provincial Park Beach Areas 1-6. I wanted to see for myself what each place looked like.
Here is my quick synopsis of each area:
Beach Area 1: swimming, parking, washrooms, picnic areas, bike paths, boardwalk, boat launch, fishing platforms
In between Beach Area 1 and 2 is where you will find the strip with shops and restaurants, as well as Main Street Market. There is a very long stretch of Beach Area 1 if you walk towards the east with ample space to set up. Many picnic tables are available. You can get your car closer if you drive through the Provincial Park Beach Area 1 gate and pay for a day pass.
Beach Area 2: swimming, parking, washrooms, picnic areas, playground, mobi-math, boardwalk
In this area you will find the boardwalk that runs through the sandy area. Municipal parking is conveniently located right beside the beach. The provincial parking is closer to the restrooms. This beach is not far from the main strip.
Beach Area 3: swimming, parking, washrooms, picnic areas, bike paths, dog beach
If you have a pet this is the beach for you, as dogs are allowed. This beach also has a lot of trees, providing respite from the sun. There are sandy areas, but when the water level is high the water comes right up to an enbankment.
Beach Area 4: swimming, parking, washrooms, picnic areas, playground, bike paths
Beach Area 4 and 5 each have a playground. As you can see in the photos, Beach Area 4 has a larger, more modern playground. This beach area is one of the smaller beach areas.
Beach Area 5: swimming, parking, washrooms, picnic areas, playground, bike paths, mobi-mat, kiteboard launch
Here you will find the kiteboard launch area, playground, mobi-mat and a moderate size beach area.
Beach Area 6: swimming, parking, washrooms, picnic areas
This beach area is a lot longer than the rest of the beach areas.
Beach Areas 1-6 are accessible from Mosley Street. New Wasaga Beach and Allenwood Beach are not. You need to take River Rd E to access these two beaches. On our last day, before driving home, we visited these beaches.
New Wasaga Beach: swimming, parking, washrooms
Allenwood Beach: swimming, parking, washrooms, kiteboard launch
These two beaches are beside each other. New Wasaga Beach is a smaller section than Allenwood Beach. There are no shops or restaurants close by so you will need to pack your own food and drinks. You will not find a Provincial Park entrance gate. Instead, there is a 'pay and display fee station' for parking at both of these beaches. Neither of these beaches have a lot of shade so it's wise to bring an umbrella.
Map overview of beaches from Ontario Parks:
A close up of each Beach Area from Ontario Parks:
At all parks you will find:
1. Provincial Park washrooms
2. Parking
Day 5
Friends of ours, who lived nearby, joined us for a couple of days. The first day we took them to Beach Area 3, before ending our day at Beach Area 1 to shop and dine.
Dinner on the rooftop at Dardonella Beach Club was incredibly satisfying. It was the perfect mixture of good friends, beachy ambience and mouth watering food.
After dinner we strolled along the strip.
Mr. Norm's Nephew for frozen yogurt was on our list of places to go. It did not disappoint. Blueberry frozen yogurt was my pick and it was so good I went back for more before we went home.
Later in the evening, my friend and I peacefully sat watching the sunset.
Day 6
After dropping the kids off at Skull Island Mini Golf we went and set up at Beach Area 2. When the kids returned they all gave their experience a thumbs up.
Tas and her friend, Anika, had started their own jewelry company, Tasika Jewelry, during the Covid pandemic. Beading is a soothing way to spend time in the sun. The beachy atmosphere inspired some new, creative pieces.
We went back to Dardonella for our final dinner, after our first experience was so good. In an effort to work up an appetite for dessert, we rode our bikes along the Wasaga Beach Shore Lane Trail, stopping to take a few final pics.
All of us went back to Mr. Norm's Nephew for another frozen yogurt, even though no one was hungry. Noticing my clothes, blueberry ice cream and purple lips matched the backboard, I posed for a pic.
Day 7
Departure day.
Helpful Websites:
Wasaga Beach Tourism website: http://wasagabeachtourism.com/home
The Town of Wasaga Beach: https://www.wasagabeach.com/en/index.aspx
Ontario Provincial Parks: https://www.ontarioparks.com/park/wasagabeach
Wasaga Beach Shore Lane Trail: https://maps.simcoe.ca/trails/?TRAIL=WasagaBeachShoreLaneTrail
Ontario: Yours to Discover (Wasaga Beach): https://destinationontario.com/en-ca/regions/bruce-grey-and-simcoe/wasaga-beach
The Friends of Nancy Island and Wasaga Beach Park: https://www.wasagabeachpark.com/
Local kite spots: https://localkitespots.com/kitesurfing/Ontario
Tips:
As Beach Area 1 and 2 are the busiest, due to the strip with shops and restaurants, consider visiting one of the other beaches and packing a lunch or BBQ, or set up further east on Beach Area 1, past the Piping Plover sanctuary.
Bring your bikes. It's so much fun to ride around. If possible, leave your car where it is and ride to your preferred beach for the day, saving a few extra dollars by not needing to park.