Toronto is the biggest city in Canada, and now has the tallest residential building in the country which is surrounded by other towering condos, apartments and office towers. The CN Tower dominates the view from all over the city. So as you wander the city, you can’t help but look up at some of these massive structures. 

But, a fifteen minute ferry ride and you can escape the ‘Concrete Jungle’ for Toronto Islands where the few buildings there are only no more than a few stories high. 

On the ferry

The islands are ‘relatively’ car-free. There is one car ferry bringing deliveries and essential services, but the only ‘community’ is basically connected by walking/biking trails. This community is really a collection of little cottages that have been turned into houses and sometimes they have been referred to as “squatters” because they lease the land their houses sit on from the Government for minimal rent. 

There are actually three ferries servicing the island, one going to Ward Island, one to Centre Island and one to Hanlan’s point (the car ferry). In the summer these ferries are packed with people going over to enjoy a day away from the city. 

The CN Tower is never is far away

There is a school and a fire station. There is an artist’s retreat, one church, and an old lighthouse as well as a water treatment plant. The only real busy section of the island is the central section where there is an amusement park, bike rentals, restaurants, and a yacht club. 

The island is very flat, and completely walkable, but the best way to get around is by bike. Tangerine Bike Rentals has locations all over the island and there are places that rent regular bikes, or tandem or quad bikes for family outings. The nice thing about exploring the island is the lack of cars and you can walk or bike without worrying about cars which is the exact opposite of Toronto downtown which is a traffic nightmare. 

Nice walking trails

At one end of the island is Billy Bishop Airport and it is always interesting to watch the tourists on the ferries suddenly realize that the airplane just over their head is landing on the island airport bringing more people to the biggest city in Canada. 

The side of the island facing away from the city features many beaches which are popular during the heat of the summer and the ferries are usually full of people pulling wagons and carts of essentials for a day at the beach. You can visit Ward Island Beach at one end, Centre Island Beach and Gibraltar Point beach on the central part of the island or if you are adventurous you can go the Hanlan’s Point beach which is one of only two “officially sanctioned” Clothing Optional beaches in Canada.

A beach far away from that distant city

When you Iive in a city like Toronto it is nice to have a place like Toronto Island where you can get away from the traffic, the congestion, and the high-rises and enjoy green open spaces, no traffic and time to just chill on the beach. However on one of my trips to the island I had a chat with a couple who, having lived in Toronto for over 20  years were making their first visit to this wonderful park like retreat minutes from the city. Don’t make their mistake, if you visit Toronto, take time to go explore Toronto Island.