Wasaga Beach
Around Wasaga Beach
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Town and around · Ontario · 24k people
Wasaga Beach
“Wasaga”
Where the sand meets the sky and summer never ends.
Georgian Bay BlueSand
Welcome to Wasaga Beach, the heart of Georgian Bay's south shore! Whether you're here for the longest freshwater beach in the world or the friendly small-town vibe, you'll find plenty to love. Grab a cone, take a walk on the boardwalk, and soak in the sun.
Clubs for Wasaga Beach
No clubs for Wasaga Beach yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Wasaga Beach. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Wasaga Beach. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Wasaga Beach Provincial Park Home to the world's longest freshwater beach.
- Wasaga Beach Boardwalk Iconic waterfront promenade with shops and eateries.
- Nancy Island Historic Site War of 1812 museum on an island in the river.
- Wasaga Beach Heritage Village Recreated pioneer settlement with historic buildings.
- Nottawasaga River Mouth Where the river meets the bay, popular for kayaking.
- Outdoors Swimming in the bay
- Outdoors Walking the boardwalk
- With kids Building sandcastles on the beach
- With kids Mini golf and go-karts
- Evenings Sunset walks on the boardwalk
- Evenings Live music at beach bars
- Locals love Beachfront patios
- Locals love Ice cream shops
Through the year
- Polar Bear Dip January New Year's Day plunge into the bay.
- Wasaga Beach Sandcastle Festival July Sand sculpture competition on the beach.
- Wasaga Beach Farmers Market Summer weekends Local produce and crafts.
- Wasaga Beach Triathlon Summer Swim, bike, run race along the shore.
- Dragon Boat Race Summer Teams race on the Nottawasaga River.
Wasaga Beach has a humid continental climate with warm summers and cold winters. The best time to be out is summer for beach activities, but each season has its charm. Best: Summer (June to August) is ideal for beach days and outdoor fun.
Getaways
- Collingwood Skiing at Blue Mountain and charming downtown.
- Barrie Shopping, waterfront park, and events.
- Midland Museums, galleries, and harbour cruises.
- Orillia Lake Simcoe beaches and historic downtown.
Local flavour
Rooting for Toronto Blue Jays, Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, Toronto FC
Eat and drink
- Fish and chips Classic beach-town fare, especially fresh pickerel or perch.
- Ice cream cones Soft serve and hand-dipped cones from beachside stands.
- Poutine Canadian comfort food, often found at chip trucks and diners.
Where people go
- Beach The main strip of sand along Nottawasaga Bay, perfect for swimming and sunbathing.
- Boardwalk A long wooden path lined with shops, eateries, and ice cream spots.
- Cottages Classic summer rentals and seasonal homes tucked among the dunes and trees.
- Provincial park Wasaga Beach Provincial Park offers dunes, trails, and protected wetlands.
Heritage and traditions
Wasaga Beach is proud of its world's longest freshwater beach, a summer playground for Ontarians, and its rich War of 1812 history centred on Nancy Island.
This time of year in Wasaga Beach
- Fall Fall Fall colours and quieter beaches.
Say it like a local: “up the beach” — Towards the east end of the beach.
Festivals
- Wasaga Beach Blues and Jazz Festival August A weekend of live blues and jazz on the beach.
- Wasaga Beach Winter Carnival February Family fun with ice sculptures, sleigh rides, and winter games.
- Canada Day Celebration July 1 Fireworks over the bay and community events.
Landmarks with a story
- Wasaga Beach Cenotaph War memorial honouring local veterans.
- The Old Train Station Historic railway station that brought tourists to the beach.
Food traditions
- Georgian Bay Whitefish Fresh whitefish from the bay, often served at local fish and chip stands.
- Beach Bonfire S'mores A summer tradition of roasting marshmallows and making s'mores at beach bonfires.
- Cottage Potluck Potluck dinners with neighbours and friends, a staple of cottage country life.
- Pickerel Frying Frying up freshly caught pickerel from the Nottawasaga River.
- Ice Cream After the Beach A cone of soft-serve ice cream after a day on the sand.
Music and arts
- Summer Concert Series Free concerts on the beach pavilion throughout the summer.
- Sand Sculpture Art The art of sandcastle building, celebrated at the annual festival.
- Local Art Galleries Small galleries showcasing beach-themed paintings and crafts.
A little history
- The HMS Nancy was scuttled to prevent capture by American forces. 1814
- The arrival of the railway made Wasaga Beach a popular resort for Toronto families. 1920s
- Wasaga Beach was incorporated as a town. 1974
- The area was home to the Huron-Wendat and later the Ojibwa. Pre-1800s
- Game day Beach volleyball
- Game day Sailing and windsurfing
- Outdoors Birdwatching at Nancy Island
- Outdoors Fishing off the pier
- With kids Flying kites on the beach
- With kids Playing in the waves
Locals speak with a typical Ontario accent, often using 'eh' and saying 'sorry' a lot. They refer to the main beach as 'the beach' and use directions like 'up the beach' or 'down the beach'.
Only here
- World's longest freshwater beach - The beach stretches for 14 km, a Guinness World Record.
- Nancy Island - A historic island where the HMS Nancy was scuttled.
- Polar Bear Dip - New Year's Day tradition of plunging into the icy bay.
- Sand dunes - The provincial park has rare sand dunes.
New here? A few tips
- The beach gets very crowded in July and August; go early or later in the day.
- Parking can be limited; consider biking or taking the shuttle in summer.
- Many businesses close in the off-season (October to April), so plan accordingly.
- The water is cold even in summer; bring a wetsuit if you plan to swim a lot.
- Learn to pronounce 'Nottawasaga' as 'not-uh-wuh-SAH-guh'.
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Nearby
Every areaSimcoe CountyOntarioWhere the bay meets the countryside.CollingwoodOntarioWhere the escarpment meets the bay.EssaOntarioHome to friendly faces and endless fields.MidlandOntarioWhere the bay meets the shieldBarrieOntarioThe Bay City: a city that hugs the bayGrey CountyOntarioWhere the escarpment meets the orchardsOrilliaOntarioLakeside charm and sunshine days.Owen SoundOntarioWhere the lakes meet the Bruce
Wasaga Beach. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.