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Toronto Islands is one of those places every local has been to at least once and visitors put on every list. It’s a city break within the city, a place where the term “oasis” doesn’t feel too far off beat in the summer. The problem is most people do it wrong. They arrive mid-afternoon, spend an hour on Centre Island, eat something forgettable, and take the ferry home wondering what all the fuss was about.

Even if you're only in Toronto for a few days, a day trip to the islands is a great choice. And we've made it easy to plan it, let's get started.

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Toronto Islands Ferry Schedule

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Before anything else, know the ferry. The whole day depends on it.

Where to catch it: Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, 9 Queens Quay West, at the corner of Bay Street and Queens Quay. The terminal is set back about 100 metres south of the intersection, behind the Westin Harbour Castle. Take the 509 or 510 streetcar to Union Station, then walk south along Bay Street. There is no parking at the terminal.

Three routes, three islands:

The ferry operates three routes from mid-April to mid-October:

• Centre Island: The main route, most frequent departures. Ferries to Centre Island depart on average every 30 minutes during peak season and return every 15 minutes. In peak summer (July and August), departures run even more frequently on busy days.
• Ward's Island: Serves the residential eastern island. Less frequent than Centre Island but reliable. Great for a quieter start to the day.
• Hanlan's Point: The western island, closest to Billy Bishop Airport. Due to ongoing shoreside infrastructure upgrades, Centre Island and Hanlan's Point currently operate on a Beltline schedule, meaning a single departing ferry services both destinations on each trip between 8:30am and 9:15pm.
• 2026 ticket prices: Adult round-trip tickets are 9.57. Seniors and students pay 6.15, children under 14 pay $4.51, and children under 2 ride free. Monthly passes are available for frequent visitors.
• Buy online. Tickets purchased in person at the terminal must be used on the day of purchase. Online tickets are flexible and don't expire. During peak summer weekends, the express line for online ticket holders moves considerably faster. Buy in advance.
• First departure: The earliest ferries begin running around 6:30am on weekdays in summer, slightly later on weekends. Check the City of Toronto's official ferry schedule at toronto.ca for exact times, as they update seasonally.
• Last ferry back: This is the one people miss. Last departure from the islands to the city is typically between 10:00pm and 11:45pm depending on the season and route. Check before you go. Missing it means a water taxi home at 15 per person.
• Fall schedule note: The 2026 fall schedule starts September 16 with reduced trips on all routes. Winter service runs from mid-October through mid-April on Ward's Island only.
• Pro Tip: If you don’t want to take the ferry, try a water taxi. Toronto Harbour Water Taxi, the yellow ones, are slightly more expensive ($15 per person) but faster, directed to whatever island you want to get to first. Especially on the way home, when lines for the ferry can get up to 45 minutes to an hour, it’s sometimes easier to take a water taxi home. When you’re on the islands, the ferry is free back, no matter how you got there.

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Before You Go

A few things worth knowing before you board.

Bring cash. The Ward's Island Café is card-friendly but some food vendors across the islands are cash-only or card-unreliable. Bring at least $40 in cash per person if you're eating on the island.

No ATMs. There are no bank machines on the islands. Cash you have when you board is cash you have all day. The majority of the activities on the island are free, but it’s good to have if you want a snack later.

No cars. The islands are entirely car-free, which is most of the point. Walk, rent a bike, or bring your own. Note that Bike Share Toronto bicycles are not permitted on the ferries, so dock your Bike Share at the terminal before boarding. Personal bikes and e-bikes are welcome onboard the ferries.

Dogs. Dogs on leash are welcome on Ward's Island and Hanlan's Point. Centre Island has restrictions during peak season. Check the City of Toronto's current rules before bringing your pet.

Sun and water. July and August temperatures can climb into the high 30s with the humidity. Sunscreen, a hat, and a refillable water bottle are not optional.

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Save This Itinerary to Your Guide Board

Below, we detail our detailed Toronto Island itinerary. Everything in this plan, all in one place. The Ward's Island Café, Hanlan's Beach, the Centre Island bike rental, the Far Enough Farm Café, the Upper Deck, and the Hanlan's Point sunset spot are all saved and ready. Open the board on your phone when you step off the ferry.

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Our Toronto Island Guide: The Plan
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7:30am: First Ferry to Ward's Island

Take the first Ward's Island ferry of the morning. The crowds won't arrive until mid-morning and the island in the early hours is genuinely quiet.

The 13-minute crossing gives you the best view of the Toronto skyline most visitors never see. Stand on the upper deck if the weather is good.

8:00am: Ward's Island

Ward's Island is the residential east end of the island chain, home to about 600 people who live year-round in small cottage-style houses. It's the quietest of the three islands and the right place to start the day.

Walk the boardwalk along the south shore facing Lake Ontario. At dawn and early morning, the light here is exceptional and the city skyline behind you is one of the best photographs you'll take in Toronto. Unlike most tourist “must-do’s” in the city, seeing the city skyline from this angle is an actual can’t miss.

The Ward's Island Café opens at 8:30am. A simple menu, good coffee, and a patio that looks out over the water. Have breakfast here. The biscuits and the egg sandwiches are reliable. This is not the place for a complicated brunch order; it is exactly the place to sit with a coffee and ease into the day.

10:00am: Walk to Hanlan's Point

From Ward's Island, walk west through the island chain toward Hanlan's Point. The walk takes about 35 to 40 minutes, passes through Centre Island, and lets you see the whole island landscape at its least crowded. Rent a bike at Centre Island if you want to cover it faster. There are multiple Bike Share Toronto docks around the island, but check first to see if there’s availability to drop your bike before you decide where to park, especially during the summer, the docks at popular beaches fill up quickly and you’ll end up walking anyway.

10:30am: Hanlan's Point

Hanlan's Point is the western island, closest to the city and closest to Billy Bishop Airport. You can watch small planes land and take off from the beach, catch a tan, and go swimming. In peak summer, it get busy, but mornings aren’t ever too busy.

Hanlan's Beach is consistently ranked as one of the best swimming beaches in Toronto. Sandy, relatively wide, and less crowded than Centre Island beach on a hot Saturday. There is a clothing-optional section at the far western end, signposted clearly and almost completely closed off from the main section. It exists, it's been there for decades, and it’s well used by those who enjoy it. For young women, be aware that if you choose to go to the clothing-optional beach, you may have some unwanted encounters. Most people swim in the main section.

If the water is warm enough, swim here. The lake temperature peaks in late July and August. If it’s not, bring a beach and hang out for a while.

12:30pm: Back to Centre Island for Lunch

Walk or bike back east to Centre Island for lunch. The Far Enough Farm Café and the Island Café are the main options. In peak summer, both have queues that can stretch to 40 minutes. Packing your own lunch in a small bag is not a bad idea if you're visiting in July or August. There are picnic tables throughout Centre Island. If you can’t get one, the grass is flat and generous, grab a shady spot and get comfortable.

If you're eating at one of the cafés, order early and find a spot to sit before the post-ferry crowd arrives.

2:00pm: Centre Island Afternoon

Centre Island is the most visited part of the islands and deservedly so. Centreville Amusement Park is good for families with young children and worth a lap even without kids just for the nostalgia. The carousel has been running since the 1960s. If you don’t like kids, skip this part, they are everywhere, and they’re running relatively rogue for the most part.

Rent a bike or a paddleboat if you haven't already. The paddleboat rental has a long queue on Saturdays in July and August; go early or skip it on a busy day.

The main Centre Island beach faces south toward Lake Ontario. On a clear day the horizon is uninterrupted. It gets crowded by midday in summer but the lake is clean and the swimming is good.

Two paths for your afternoon:

If you want to keep moving: Bike the full island loop. It runs about 7 kilometres, is completely flat, and takes about 45 minutes at a comfortable pace. You'll pass through all three islands and cover ground you didn't see on the walk over. Good views, good exercise, an overall good day. Get comfortable with using the bell to let pedestrians know you’re behind them, you will need it.

If you want to slow down: Find a spot on the grass, open whatever book you brought, and stay there. Like most of Toronto, it’s not weird to hang out in green space. The islands are one of the few places in the city where lying in the sun in a bathing suit is actively encouraged.

5:00pm: The Sunset Position

This is the part most people miss. The Toronto skyline at golden hour, viewed from the islands, is one of the genuinely beautiful things about this city.

Best spot: The western tip of Hanlan's Point. The CN Tower and the downtown skyline sit directly to the north, and the angle of the late afternoon sun hits the glass towers in a way that the city rarely looks as good from any other position. Get here by 5:30pm in July to find a spot before the after-work crowd arrives on the ferry.

Second best: The boardwalk behind Ward's Island, facing north. Quieter than Hanlan's and equally beautiful if you're willing to walk back east.

Check your ferry times before you commit to watching the full sunset. Last ferry times vary and you don't want to be jogging to the dock in the dark. If you miss the last ferry, commit to a pint at The Upper Deck, then get a water taxi back.

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What to Skip

- The amusement park without kids. Centreville is great with children. Without them, one loop is plenty. It’s overstimulating in general, particular on weekends. If you’re riding a bike, it’s usually easier to walk with the bike through this area to avoid mowing down an overexcited child by accident.

- Paddleboat rentals in July. The queue on a hot Saturday can be 45 minutes for a 20-minute ride. Unless you have specific paddleboat feelings, let it go.

- Centre Island beach on a hot weekend. It gets very crowded by noon. If you want to swim, Hanlan's Beach in the morning is a better call.

- Staying too long at Centre Island and missing Hanlan's. Most people never make it to Hanlan's. It's the best beach on the islands.

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Best Places to Eat

Toronto Island BBQ & Beer Co. (Centre Island): Low and slow BBQ, local beer, a full vegan menu. A weirdly phenomenal coleslaw. A vibe that fits the island, chill, unpretentious, reliably great. The patio is great, but the wasps and seagulls both get aggressive in August. If you’re not a fan of either, grab food to go.

The Upper Deck (Centre Island, in the Marina): Smash burgers, jerk chicken, consistently great wings (try the white cheddar dry rub). Look for the yellow umbrellas and spend the afternoon here.

The Riviera + Runaway Cafe (Wards Island): The best coffee on the island by far, with prices that feel like you’re not in Toronto at all. Try the Canadiano or the Hojicha latte.

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If you're in the city

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Looking for a bite to eat in the city? Toronto is home to some of the best restaurants in the world. Take your time and find the right fit for you, whether it's location, budget, or cuisine.

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Practical Details

Getting there: Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, 9 Queens Quay West. 509 or 510 streetcar to the waterfront, or a 15-minute walk south from Union Station. The yellow water taxis, which pick up from 5 Queens Quay West (next to the BeaverTails on York Street), are reliably faster if slightly more expensive.

Bike rentals: Available at Centre Island near the main dock. Bring your own if you're coming from nearby. Helmets are available at the rental stand.

Accessibility: All ferries are wheelchair accessible. The main paths across the islands are paved and relatively flat. Some beach areas are harder to navigate in a wheelchair.

Water taxis: Available along the waterfront if you miss the last ferry or want a faster crossing. Budget 12 to 15 per person one-way. Take the yellow ones for the best price.

What to pack: Sunscreen, cash, a refillable water bottle, a towel and swimsuit, snacks or a packed lunch for peak season, your bike lock if bringing a bike.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Toronto Islands?

Take the ferry from Jack Layton Ferry Terminal at 9 Queens Quay West, at the corner of Bay Street and Queens Quay. The ferry runs to three islands: Centre Island, Ward's Island, and Hanlan's Point.

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How long does the Toronto island ferry take?

About 13 to 15 minutes to any of the three islands.

Can you swim at Toronto Islands?

Yes. There are beaches on Centre Island, Ward's Island, and Hanlan's Point. Hanlan's is consistently the best for swimming. The lake reaches comfortable swimming temperatures in late July and August.

Is Toronto Islands free?

Entry to the islands is free. The ferry costs $9.57 for adults (2026 prices). Some activities like Centreville Amusement Park have their own admission, but the islands are generally one of the cheapest ways to spend a day in Toronto.

What is the best island to visit in Toronto?

It depends on what you're after. Centre Island has the most amenities and the amusement park. Ward's Island is the quietest and has a charming residential community. Hanlan's Point has the best beach. A full day lets you see all three.

Can you bring a bike on the Toronto island ferry?

Yes. Personal bikes are welcome on the ferry on the main deck. Bike Share Toronto bikes are not permitted. E-bikes are allowed at staff discretion.

What time does the last ferry leave Toronto Islands?

Last ferry times vary by season and route. In summer 2026, the last ferry typically departs the islands between 10:00pm and 11:45pm depending on the route. Check the official City of Toronto schedule before you go at toronto.ca.

Image attribution for our featured image: Peter Broster

Image attribution for thumbnail: John Vetterli

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