By WAHEEDA HARRIS
Great Lakes Beaches: Agawa Bay on Lake Superior (Photo: eskimo_jo)
Central Canada’s Great Lakes are the largest group of freshwater lakes in the world, and their combined coastlines add up to nearly 18,000 km—more than 40 per cent of the circumference of the Earth. That’s a lot of Great Lakes—and, consequently, a lot of Great Lakes beaches for landlocked folks to enjoy this spring and summer. See our list of the 10 best, must-visit Great Lakes beaches, and unpack those flip-flops!
See the slideshow of the 10 best Great Lakes beaches »
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- <strong><a href="http://www.forteriecanada.com/tourism/crystalbeach.shtml">Crystal Beach</a>, Lake Erie</strong><br /> <br /> The sands of this Lake Erie beach was a thriving vacation destination back in the 1800s, with bathhouses and dance halls and later, in the 20th century, a popular amusement park. Today it's a pretty spot for a day of lounging and low-key activities located about two hours from Toronto.
- <small>Photo: Niagara Tourism</small>
- Best Great Lakes Beach for Day Tripping
- Great Lakes Beaches
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- Photo: Niagara Tourism
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- <strong><a href="http://www.grandbend.com/">Grand Bend</a>, Lake Huron</strong><br /> <br /> The young and beautiful head to the north beach to show off their latest beach gear, while families and those who seek a quiet day can park their beach umbrella at the south beach. In the evenings it's all about the fireworks celebrating summer.
- <small>Photo: Sue T</small>
- Best Great Lakes Beach for a Bit of Everything
- Great Lakes Beaches
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- Photo: Sue T
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- <strong><a href="http://www.ontarioparks.com/english/pres.html">Presqu’ile Provincial Park</a>, Lake Ontario</strong><br /> <br /> Visitors to this peninsula near Brighton will find birds and monarch butterflies to spot while spending time on the beach, and for the history buffs, visit the second oldest operating lighthouse in Ontario.
- <small>Photo: Presqu'ile Provincial Park</small>
- Best Great Lakes Beach for Birdwatching
- Great Lakes Beaches
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- Photo: Presqu’ile Provincial Park
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- <strong><a href="http://www.ontarioparks.com/english/rond.html">Rondeau Bay</a>, Rondeau Provincial Park, Lake Erie</strong><br /> <br /> Visitors to crescent-shaped Rondeau Beach may spot the rare Eastern spiny softshell turtle emerging from the sand dunes in the 8 kilometres of beach at Lake Erie’s Rondeau Bay, known for its warm shallow water.
- <small>Photo: BritinCanada</small>
- Best Great Lakes Beach for Turtle Sightings
- Great Lakes Beaches
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- Photo: BritinCanada
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- <strong><a href="http://www.ontarioparks.com/english/sand.html">Outlet Beach</a>, Sandbanks Provincial Park, Lake Ontario</strong><br /> <br /> Known for its amazing sand dunes which form two of the largest bay-mouth sandbars in the world, visitors to Sandbanks can easily slide from sand into the warm waters of Lake Ontario at Outlet Beach.
- <small>Photo: Active Steve</small>
- Best Great Lakes Beach for Sand Dunes
- Great Lakes Beaches
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- Photo: Active Steve
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- <strong><a href="http://www.saublebeach.com/">Sauble Beach</a>, Lake Huron</strong><br /> <br /> Play volleyball, rent a jet ski or try stand-up paddling at this popular Lake Huron spot that welcomes adventure seekers as well as sandcastle builders and hosts a weekly movie night during the summer.
- <small>Photo: Bark</small>
- Best Great Lakes Beach for Water Sports
- Great Lakes Beaches
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- <strong><a href="http://www.pinerypark.on.ca/">The Pinery</a>, Lake Huron</strong><br /> <br /> Wander the boardwalks to see the beauty of the freshwater sand dunes and then find a spot on the 10 km beach or head into the waters of Lake Huron to cool off from a morning hike or bike ride in this provincial park.
- <small>Photo: Ontario Parks</small>
- Best Great Lakes Beach for Solitude
- Great Lakes Beaches
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- Photo: Ontario Parks
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- <strong><a href="http://www.villageofbayfield.com/">Bayfield Main Beach</a>, Lake Huron</strong><br /> <br /> This Lake Huron strip is proud to proclaim its Blue Flag status for environmental safety and is famous with locals for its sunset viewing from the pier.
- <small>Photo: pl1602</small>
- Best Great Lakes Beach for Sunsets
- Great Lakes Beaches
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- <strong><a href="http://www.ontarioparks.com/english/lakes.html">Agawa Bay</a>, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Lake Superior</strong> <br /> <br /> Swimmers can head to Agawa Bay within Lake Superior Provincial Park to cool off after a morning of fishing or hiking, or before heading to Agawa Rock to view ancient pictographs from the First Nations.
- <small>Photo: eskimo_jo</small>
- Best Great Lakes Beach for Fishing and Hiking
- Great Lakes Beaches
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- <strong><a href="http://www.amherstisland.on.ca/">Wemp’s Bay, Amherst Island</a>, Lake Ontario</strong><br /> <br /> Off the northeast shore of Lake Ontario, Amherst Island visitors may be focused on diving for wrecks or sailing, but for those who want a day at the beach, head to quiet Wemp’s Bay on the west side.
- <small>Photo: Aislander/Panoramico CC</small>
- Best Great Lakes Beach for Peace and Quiet
- Great Lakes Beaches
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