South Georgian Bay is home to some of the best beaches in Ontario. The shores of Georgian Bay allow for a mix of both sandy and rocky beaches with friendly swimming areas and spectacular sunsets. The busy workweek can leave us craving a little bit of relaxation and fresh air on the weekends, so we’ve created an itinerary to help you achieve just that! Take a relaxing vacation and hit the beach this weekend with our recommendations here to guide you.
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Wasaga Beach
Wasaga Beach is one of the premier travel destinations in Ontario! For over a century, tourists have traveled to the sandy shores of Nottawasaga Bay to stroll along the 14 kilometers of white sand beach, swim in Georgian Bay and enjoy the panoramic mountain views across the water.
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There are 8 different areas of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park, each with different amenities and regulations. Please see their official website for maps of the area, parking, and what each area has to offer! Police and Bylaw Officers regularly patrol the beach areas, no lifeguards are on duty.
After a long day playing in the waves and making sandcastles, we recommend spending the night at Luau Resort. This clean, comfortable resort is located on the Nottawasaga River, just steps (across the road) from the beach.
For lunch, check out the many restaurants and food stands that line the beachfront. Follow with ice cream from Grandma’s Beach Treats and dinner at one of the many delicious restaurants lining Mosely St. such as, Wasaga’s Curry and Cocktail or Barcelos Restaurant and Grill.
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For alternative activities and entertainment, check out Wasaga Beach Adventure Park, Wasaga 500 Go-Carts, and Free Spirit Tours. Wasaga Beach is the perfect place to balance relaxation and adventure when on vacation this summer.
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Northwinds Beach
Northwinds Beach Park is by far the most popular beach in The Town of Blue Mountains. Its sandy beach waterfront makes it an excellent choice for active families. There is a playground and washroom facilities onsite as well as several shaded picnic tables throughout the park and beach area. This beach is an ideal location for SUP, kayaking, swimming, and sunset viewing. Motorized watercrafts and BBQs are not permitted and no lifeguards are on duty.
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For accommodation, we recommend booking with Craigleith Manor Boutique Bed and Breakfast. Just a short walk or bike ride along the Georgian Trail to the beach, this spot is conveniently located, charming, and luxurious. Craigleith Manor Boutique Bed and Breakfast was recently voted by travelers as Trip Advisor’s #1 B&B in Canada.
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A short trip up the road brings you to Blue Mountain Village with a plethora of restaurants for you to choose from for lunch and dinner. Need to grab snacks? Surf Café is located just down highway 26 along with Blue Surf Paddle Boards and Kayaks, a convenience store, and Surf and Turf the Blue Mountains Butcher Shop. Craigleith Heritage Depot is right across the street from Northwinds Beach for the vacation-goers that wish to be out of the sun for a moment. Northwinds Beach truly is the prime location for all of your weekend needs in South Georgian Bay.
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Memorial Park
Memorial Park is a picturesque area and campground with over 468 meters of beautiful sandy shoreline on Georgian Bay. It features many amenities, including full-service campground facilities, public washrooms, a snack bar, two pavilion shelters, playground areas, mini-golf course, woodland walking trails, and ample parking. The campground is a quick drive from downtown Meaford and the harbour. This is a pet-friendly environment, with a portion of the beach dedicated for dog use in the summer months.
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Spend the day playing in the water and skipping stones from the pebble beach, then explore the many shops along the main street including the Frauxmagerie and Maggie + Dix Home and Garden. Grab lunch from the Perogie Palace, dinner from the Meaford Social, and spend the night at the Meaford Inn, a family-owned and operated Inn that offers quality accommodations, friendly service, and is conveniently located close to the water. If you’re interested in alternative activities, check out the Meaford Museum to learn about the area, Meaford Hall to catch a live performance, or the Big Canoe Project to get out on the water in a fun way.
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Meaford is very pet-friendly and calm, with plenty of waterfronts to enjoy. Remember to stop at Grandma Lambe’s on the way out of town for some fresh local produce and the best pie for kilometers!
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We hope you have a fun and safe time exploring South Georgian Bay! Share your memories with us by tagging @SGeorgianBay on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!
Planning to visit South Georgian Bay in the near future? Please contact individual businesses to confirm method and hours of operation and plan ahead by making reservations when possible. Visit our “Know Before You Go” page by clicking here.
