Looking for some fun water activities in Toronto to try out this summer?
Toronto can get hot during the summer months, and being out on the water is the perfect way to cool off.
If you’re looking for fun water activities in Toronto to do this summer, you’ll definitely find something on this list you’ll enjoy.
Here are some of the best water activities you can do in Toronto!
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More things to do in Toronto
If you’re looking for more fun things to do in Toronto, you might enjoy these posts:
- Searching for outdoor activities? Check out these bike trails or pickleball courts in Toronto.
- In the mood for a chill activity? Visit these beaches or picnic spots, or explore a new neighbourhood in Toronto.
Best water activities in Toronto
Canoeing or kayaking on the Harbourfront
Get your arm workout on with some canoeing or kayaking along the Harbourfront.
In case you didn’t know (because I didn’t before): canoeing is the one that’s more like a boat, while kayaking is the one where you sit in the little seat hole!
You can bring your own canoe or kayak, or rent them by the hour from the Harbourfront Canoe & Kayak Centre.
After your time out on the water, check out some other fun things to do at the Harbourfront or hit up one of the best Harbourfront restaurants!
LOCATION: 283 Queens Quay West, Toronto, ON
Stand up paddle boarding at the Toronto Islands
Stand up paddle boarding is one of the most fun water sports you can do, especially at the Toronto Islands where you can get a stunning view of the Toronto city skyline!
Ain’t nothin’ Torontonians love more than our CN Tower skyline views.
You can bring your own stand up paddle boards or rent them by the hour from Toronto Island SUP.
It’s best to go as early as possible before it gets too busy, unless you want a dozen other SUP riders in the background of your epic skyline shots.
They also offer a really cool nighttime SUP guided tour, where you get an illuminated torch paddle to paddle with!
After your SUP adventure, spend some time exploring other fun things to do on the Toronto Islands.
If you’re interested in doing a guided tour around the islands, you can also do a fun 3.5 hour bike tour of the Toronto Islands, where you get to ride all around the islands and learn about its 200 year history.
It also includes your ferry tickets, bicycle and helmet, plus water and snacks, which makes life a little easier!
Go on a boat cruise
If you want to enjoy the water but don’t want to actually get in the water, a boat cruise is the perfect water activity to try out in Toronto.
Adam and I did a fun salsa dancing cruise on the waterfront a couple of years ago, where we got to eat good food while learning how to salsa dance!
You can find all kinds of fun cruises at Toronto’s Harbourfront, including themed ones, and these are a few fun options you can try:
The Toronto Harbour Tour is a 1-hour narrated boat cruise that takes you around the Toronto Harbour and the Toronto Islands, and they even make stops at the islands during the summer months – it’s the perfect tour if you’re looking for something short and sweet.
If you’ve always wanted to live your sailor dreams, the tall ship boat cruise is a fun 2-hour experience that includes a tour of the vintage 1930s ship, sailing along the coastline (while helping the crew if you’d like!), and even firing out of the ship’s cannon.
And if you really want to take your time enjoying the Toronto skyline, the 3-hour buffet dinner cruise includes a full-on buffet dinner and cash bar, and you can dance the night away to beats from a live DJ.
LOCATION: 207 Queens Quay West, Toronto, ON
Cool off at a rooftop pool
Ain’t nothin’ better than jumping into the water on a hot summer day, especially when you can grab a good cocktail while you’re at it.
Visit a rooftop patio with a pool like Lavelle or Kōst (at the Bisha Hotel, one of the best boutique hotels in Toronto), or hit up a hotel with a rooftop pool like the Radisson Blu or Hotel X.
Be sure to wear a cute swimsuit to get a cute ~summery~ Instagram photo.
If you’re looking for even more patios to hit up this summer, check out these posts:
- Looking for the ultimate list? Check out the best patios in Toronto.
- Doing it for the ‘Gram? Hit up these Instagram-worthy patios in Toronto.
- Dining out on a rainy day? Visit one of these covered patios in Toronto!
And if you’re just looking for somewhere cool to get drinks, check out the best spots for drinks in Toronto!
Swim at Bluffer’s Park Beach
You’ll find Bluffer’s Park Beach at the Scarborough Bluffs, and it’s one of the nicest spots to swim in Toronto.
It’s actually located in Scarborough, which is outside of Toronto, and it’s about a half-hour drive or hour TTC commute.
Always be very careful when out on the water, as there have been tragedies in the recent past.
Afterwards, you can dry off while hiking and exploring around the Scarborough Bluffs!
It’s best to visit on weekdays as it gets super busy on the weekends and holidays.
You can also pack a blanket and some snacks and have a picnic on the beach – just remember to pack out what you pack in or dispose of your waste properly!
There are plenty of awesome takeout spots in Scarborough that are perfect for bringing along on your lil’ beach picnic.
LOCATION: 1 Brimley Road South, Toronto, ON
Water activities in Toronto:
- Canoeing or kayaking on the Harbourfront
- Stand up paddle boarding at the Toronto Islands
- Go on a boat cruise
- Cool off at a rooftop pool
- Swim at Bluffer’s Park Beach
These were some of the best and most fun water activities to try in Toronto this summer!
Have you done any of these water activities in Toronto? Let me know on Twitter or Instagram!
More things to do in Toronto
If you’re looking for more fun things to do in Toronto, you might enjoy these posts:
- Searching for outdoor activities? Check out these bike trails or pickleball courts in Toronto.
- In the mood for a chill activity? Visit these beaches or picnic spots, or explore a new neighbourhood in Toronto.
Be sure to keep up with me on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest if you aren’t already!
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I’m so glad to have found your blog and your articles have been soooo helpful! This will be my first time visiting Toronto and I have so many places I want to visit now cus of your blog!! Thanks so much for these helpful articles and I really appreciate all the effort you put into these! <3
So happy to hear, Tiffany! Enjoy your trip to Toronto 🙂