Islands and beaches
The best Toronto Centre Island tours
Bike tours of the islands, harbour and island cruises, a canoe trip to the bird sanctuary, the island beaches and how the ferry works; here is how to choose, with honest advice on when the ferry alone is enough, what happens if the weather turns or you need to cancel, and how to find the ferry dock.
See our 5 picks
You can explore the Toronto Islands, Centre Island included, on your own. The city ferry from 9 Queens Quay West costs CA$9.57 for an adult round trip. To see more than one beach in a morning, the best pick is the 3.5-hour bike tour with the ferry ticket included, from €87 per person.
Our picks: Toronto Islands tours
Two bike tours first, then two cruises past the islands and a canoe trip. None picks you up at your hotel. Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide.
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from €87 per person Our top pick 3 h 30 min 4.8 (345) reviews on GetYourGuide
Morning or twilight bike tour of the islands
A 3.5-hour ride with a local guide, in the morning or at twilight. The bike, helmet, water, snacks and ferry ticket are included. You meet at 124 St Patrick Street. Children are welcome with a parent. Helmets are a must.
Best for A first visit, ferry ticket included
Check availability: Morning or twilight bike tour of the islands on GetYourGuide -
from €70 per person 3 h 30 min 4.8 (153) reviews on GetYourGuide
Waterfront and islands bike tour, small group
A 3.5-hour ride in a small group, with a boat ride to the islands. The route is flat with many stops. The bike, helmet and water are included. The ferry depends on the option you pick. You need basic cycling skills.
Best for A small group at a lower price
Check availability: Waterfront and islands bike tour, small group on GetYourGuide -
from €25 per person 1 hour 4.7 (3,207) reviews on GetYourGuide
Harbour and Islands Sightseeing Cruise, 1 hour
One hour on the water with live commentary in English. You pass the skyline and the islands. You board at 145 Queens Quay West. The cruise depends on weather and water conditions.
Best for No effort, the islands from the water
Check availability: Harbour and Islands Sightseeing Cruise, 1 hour on GetYourGuide -
from €18 per person 45 minutes 4.6 (491) reviews on GetYourGuide
Guided Harbour and Islands Cruise, 45 minutes
A 45-minute cruise with a live guide in English. It runs rain or shine, with an enclosed interior. Heavy wind or fog can cancel a sailing. You board the Harbour Star at 235 Queens Quay West.
Best for The cheapest look at the islands
Check availability: Guided Harbour and Islands Cruise, 45 minutes on GetYourGuide -
from €48 per person 1 hour 4.8 (13) reviews on GetYourGuide
Canoe tour of the Toronto Islands
A 1-hour paddle with a guide to the bird sanctuary and around Donut Island. The canoe, paddles and a life jacket are included. You sign a waiver first. The listing is a fall colours tour, so dates depend on the option you pick.
Best for Active people who like wildlife
Check availability: Canoe tour of the Toronto Islands on GetYourGuide
Toronto Islands tours compared
| Tour | From | Duration | Ferry included? | Who it suits | Why we picked it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning or twilight bike tour of the islands | €87 per person | 3 h 30 min | Yes | A first visit, ferry ticket included | The most-reviewed island tour: 4.8 from 345 reviews. |
| Waterfront and islands bike tour, small group | €70 per person | 3 h 30 min | Depends on the option | A small group at a lower price | The cheaper bike tour, rated 4.8 from 153 reviews. |
| Harbour and Islands Sightseeing Cruise, 1 hour | €25 per person | 1 hour | No, it sails past | No effort, the islands from the water | The most-reviewed cruise in Toronto: 4.7 from 3,207 reviews. |
| Guided Harbour and Islands Cruise, 45 minutes | €18 per person | 45 minutes | No, it sails past | The cheapest look at the islands | The cheapest tour on this page. |
| Canoe tour of the Toronto Islands | €48 per person | 1 hour | Not stated | Active people who like wildlife | The only tour here on your own paddle; 4.8, from 13 reviews. |
Morning or twilight bike tour of the islands
€87 per person3 h 30 min 4.8 (345)
Details
- Ferry included?
- Yes
- Who it suits
- A first visit, ferry ticket included
- Why we picked it
- The most-reviewed island tour: 4.8 from 345 reviews.
Waterfront and islands bike tour, small group
€70 per person3 h 30 min 4.8 (153)
Details
- Ferry included?
- Depends on the option
- Who it suits
- A small group at a lower price
- Why we picked it
- The cheaper bike tour, rated 4.8 from 153 reviews.
Harbour and Islands Sightseeing Cruise, 1 hour
€25 per person1 hour 4.7 (3,207)
Details
- Ferry included?
- No, it sails past
- Who it suits
- No effort, the islands from the water
- Why we picked it
- The most-reviewed cruise in Toronto: 4.7 from 3,207 reviews.
Guided Harbour and Islands Cruise, 45 minutes
€18 per person45 minutes 4.6 (491)
Details
- Ferry included?
- No, it sails past
- Who it suits
- The cheapest look at the islands
- Why we picked it
- The cheapest tour on this page.
Canoe tour of the Toronto Islands
€48 per person1 hour 4.8 (13)
Details
- Ferry included?
- Not stated
- Who it suits
- Active people who like wildlife
- Why we picked it
- The only tour here on your own paddle; 4.8, from 13 reviews.
- None of the 5 includes hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point.
- All 5 offer free cancellation.
- Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide. Prices are "from" prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.
Things to do in the Toronto Islands
The islands are for beaches, bike rides and skyline views. Public cars are not allowed, so the paths are quiet.
Toronto Island attractions: beaches, Centreville and bike paths
Four of Toronto's 10 beaches are on the islands: Hanlan's Point, Centre Island, Gibraltar Point and Ward's Island. The city says Hanlan's Point is clothing-optional.
Lifeguards normally work from June to September. At Hanlan's Point there are no lifeguards until summer 2027.
Centreville Amusement Park has over 30 rides. Entry is free, and you pay for the rides. The park says it is closed until spring 2027. Its FAQ says it opens from May to September.
The islands in Toronto: Centre Island, Ward's Island and Hanlan's Point
- 242 ha
- Toronto Island Park
- 15
- islands in the park
Toronto Island Park covers 242 hectares and 15 islands. It became a public park in 1956.
Ferries stop at three docks: Centre Island, Hanlan's Point and Ward's Island. Walking from Centre Island to Ward's Island takes about 35 minutes. Centre Island to Hanlan's Point takes about 50 minutes. Ward's Island to Hanlan's Point takes about 70 minutes.
You can bring a bike on the ferry. Bike Share stations stand on the island, but Bike Share bikes cannot go on the ferry.
Toronto Island tickets: the ferry and how to get there
Taking the ferry to Toronto Islands on your own is easy and cheap. Ferries leave all year from Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, 9 Queens Quay West.
Online tickets are valid on any day until the end of the year you buy them. At the terminal, you can only buy a ticket for the same day. The city says online ticket holders get an express line at busy times.
From mid-April to mid-October, ferries go to all three docks. From October 14 to mid-April, the city lists times only for Ward's Island.
To get there, take subway Line 1 to Union Station. Then take a streetcar south to Queens Quay/Ferry Docks. The ferry needs its own fare.
Our guide to getting around Toronto explains fares and the PRESTO card.
- Adult
- CA$9.57
- Older adult or youth
- CA$6.15
- Junior (2 to 14)
- CA$4.51
- Under 2
- Free
Bike, canoe and walking tours of the islands
A bike tour covers the most ground in one morning. The 3.5-hour tour includes the ferry ticket, a bike, a helmet, water and snacks. The small-group tour includes a bike, a helmet and water, and the ferry on some options.
Kayaking or canoeing around the Toronto Islands
Our pick is a canoe, not a kayak. A guide paddles with you for an hour to the bird sanctuary and around Donut Island. A life jacket is included.
Toronto Island walking tours and walks on your own
None of our picks is a guided walk. The walking times above make a loop on your own easy. Centre Island to Ward's Island is about 35 minutes on foot.
Seeing the islands from the water
Two cruises sail past the islands with live commentary. The 1-hour cruise starts from €25 and the 45-minute cruise from €18.
If you only want to see the islands from the water, compare all our Toronto harbor tours.
Tips for a Toronto Islands trip
Buy the ferry online
Online tickets are good on any day until the end of the year. The city says they get an express line at busy times.
Check the season
From October 14 to mid-April, the city lists ferry times only for Ward's Island.
Mind the weather
The 1-hour cruise depends on weather and water. The 45-minute cruise runs rain or shine.
Read the cancellation rule
Each of the five listings shows free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Toronto Islands: questions and answers
What is there to do on the Toronto Islands?
Are the Toronto Islands worth visiting?
How do I get to the Toronto Islands?
Should I buy Toronto Island ferry tickets online?
Are the Toronto Islands man-made?
More Toronto Islands tours, live
More options with live prices and availability, straight from GetYourGuide.
See every tour with today's prices and open dates on GetYourGuide.
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