Prince Edward County was recently named one of the best places to visit in the world by Condé Nast Traveler for being a newer wine region with an old soul, and now, one sandy stretch of PEC is adding to that international recognition.
Travel And Tour World just ranked Canada No. 27 among the world’s top 50 beach travel destinations for 2026, celebrating everything from its rugged coastlines to dramatic island scenery. The publication then name-dropped the top 10 beaches in Canada, and Sandbanks Beaches came in at No. 10, the only Ontario destination to make the list!
And while Sandbanks Beach often gets used as a catch-all, there’s actually much more than one beach to explore here. Sandbanks Provincial Park is nestled in Prince Edward County, about a 2.5–hour drive from Toronto, and it has three main natural sandy beaches: Outlet Beach, Lakeshore Beach and Dunes Beach. Each is equally dreamy but offers a slightly different way to spend a summer day!
Outlet Beach, on East Lake, is the park’s busiest and perhaps the best option if your ideal beach day involves sprawling out on the sand and taking frequent dips. The water has a gradual drop-off, and you’ll also be near the Outlet River, where you can launch a canoe or kayak and paddle through the park’s marsh habitat.
You don’t even need to leave the park when hunger hits. Currah’s Park Store and Grill is located right in the Outlet Beach day-use area and serves everything from classic grill faves to salads and vegetarian dishes, while the attached store stocks groceries, beach toys and other day-trip supplies.
For Sandbanks’ most dramatic scenery, head to Dunes Beach on West Lake. This is where you’ll find the massive dune landscape the park is famous for, and you can get a closer look by tackling the 2.5–kilometre Sandbanks Dunes Trail, which loops through the dune system and past rare wetland habitats.
Then there’s Lakeshore Beach, which runs along Lake Ontario and is a good alternative when Outlet is packed (bonus: the area is radio-free, so no amplified audio, so you’ll have a quieter experience). And, if you’re feeling a bit adventurous, head to Lakeshore Beach for its somewhat cheekier claim to fame: a secluded section toward the western end of the beach has reportedly been used as an unofficial clothing-optional spot for years!
Once you’ve had enough sand between your toes, head just outside the park’s main entrance to Caddy Shack, which has an 18–hole miniature golf course, a licensed patio and even live entertainment on some summer evenings. A few minutes away, Sand and Pearl Oyster Bar is the perfect place to end your beach day. The seasonal fish shack has two patios and a backyard campfire, with some of the freshest shucked oysters, lobster rolls and cheeseburgers.
And no Prince Edward County summer road trip is really complete without ice cream. On the way back through Bloomfield, stop at Slickers County Ice Cream for flavours that regulars swear by, like Apple Pie, Rhubarb Ginger and even Campfire (think s’mores in a frozen scoop!).
After visiting Sandbanks, check out these tips for spending a weekend in Prince Edward County.
