Bruce County Tourism

Singing Sands - Bruce Peninsula National Park

Experience some of Canada's and Ontario's best beaches. With 955 km of shoreline along Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, Bruce County has a beach for every taste, temperament, and temperature. Certainly the most popular traditional sand beach is Sauble Beach. Voted the number one beach in Ontario in May 2002 and declared one of the top ten beaches in Canada in 2004, Sauble Beach is a must stop for visitors. Over 11 kilometres of pure, golden sands embrace the clean, warm waters of Lake Huron. The sand at Sauble Beach is described as sugar sand. It is that consistency that makes Sauble Beach one of the best places to create elaborate sand castles. A late afternoon stroll will reveal wonderful works of art.

Volleyball is a popular beach side activity along the Lake Huron shoreline. Kincardine, Port Elgin and Sauble Beach all have volleyball courts on the beach, but it is BYOB (Bring Your Own Ball).

Kincardine beach is bisected by the river and marina. The southern beach or Station Beach as it is called features a landscaped boardwalk with benches and a gazebo. Giant beach chairs make a great photo opportunity. From the north side of the Pier to Saugeen Street, this small stretch of beach is great for children. Tiny Tot Park, the Snack Bar, washrooms, a covered picnic area (at Dunsmoor Park), lots of shade trees, the Rock Gardens, the Pavilion and Lovers Lane add to the ambiance of this part of the beach. Parking is plentiful and, just like Station Beach, the sandy beach gently slopes into Lake Huron. Sand bars off the shore add a unique dimension to wading out into the lake.

Port Elgin beach has a beachfront flea market every Wednesday during the summer, and a miniature 24-gauge steam train that chugs along the harbour and into the picturesque Northshore Park. Play equipment for the youngsters can be found on the main beach as well as Northshore Park. Several beach shelters offer protection from the sun's bright rays for those who love the beach, but prefer to lounge in the shade. There are also benches facing the lake to watch the sunset. Southampton beach features Family Fun Nights each Friday in the sheltered picnic area. Swing sets dot the beach and, of course, kids (large and small) have to stop and try out each one! Benches line the "boardwalk" for sunset viewing and star gazing. A Southampton Sunset is rated as one of the best in the World.

Up the Peninsula on the Lake Huron shoreline the landscape changes. Hidden among the Oliphant fishing islands are quiet secluded and very shallow beaches, perfect for exploring. At the top of the Peninsula, Singing Sands is a part of Bruce Peninsula National Park. Shallow water, public washrooms, picnic area, a boardwalk, rare wild orchids and trails appeal to the traditional beach lover, nature lovers and photographers! Please stay on trails to protect the wildlife and plant life that call the dunes home. Remember to take only photographs and leave only footprints.

The Georgian Bay shoreline provides some interesting beach experiences. The Grotto and Indian Head Cove are located within Bruce Peninsula National Park and are only accessible by hiking. They features huge boulders and fractured limestone as a base and a sea cave.

Further down the Peninsula at Cabot Head, shale beaches and large rock beaches dominate the shoreline. North of Lion's Head, table rocks warm the water and local folklore tells us tennis was once played on these rocks. There is a municipal sand beach and playground for the kids. Hope Bay has a beach that seems more Maritime than Ontario and around the headland, Cape Croker Park is a mix of sand and rock but the towering Hope Bay bluff is what truly sets this beach apart from the rest.

Wiarton's Bluewater Park features a playground and is home to Wiarton Willie statue.