WASAGA BEACH – Wasaga Beach is celebrating being named one of Canada\u2019s Top Ten Beaches by Lonely Planet, one of the world\u2019s most influential travel authorities. Lonely Planet has also ranked Wasaga Beach the #1 beach for swimming in Canada.<\/p>\n
This latest ranking highlights Wasaga Beach\u2019s warm, shallow waters, expansive shoreline, and iconic summer experience along the shores of Georgian Bay, reaffirming its place as one of Canada\u2019s most beloved beach destinations.<\/p>\n
The recognition arrives as Wasaga Beach prepares for another busy summer season, with just 100 days until Victoria Day, Canada\u2019s unofficial first long weekend of summer.<\/p>\n
A Top Travel Destination \u2014 and a Community on the Rise<\/p>\n
The Lonely Planet ranking also comes at a time of growth and transformation for Wasaga Beach, as the Town advances Destination Wasaga<\/a>\u2014its vision and long-term plan to transform the community from a summer beach town into an iconic, year-round recreation and nature-based destination.<\/p>\n Wasaga Beach\u2019s transformation is supported by the\u00a0Province of Ontario\u2019s nearly $38 million investment to launch Destination Wasaga<\/a> and revitalize the Nancy Island Historic Site.<\/p>\n In 2025, the Town began construction along Beach Drive to build a safer, more accessible, and climate-resilient waterfront corridor. This and other public infrastructure improvements near the beachfront are unlocking new investment at Beach Area 1 and in the Town\u2019s busiest tourism areas, including a $65 million\u00a0premium Marriott hotel<\/a> and approximately $100 million commercial and residential development led by Stonebridge Building Group<\/a>.<\/p>\n Even with construction underway, tourism in Wasaga Beach remains strong. Between January and August 2025, the Town welcomed 2,060,833 visitors \u2014 a 15 per cent increase over the same period in 2024. Strong attendance is driven in part by the Town\u2019s growing lineup of festivals and events over the past three years.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n In 2023, Wasaga Beach\u2019s event season helped tourism rebound to pre-pandemic levels and set a new record when it drew more than 12,000 residents and visitors from across Ontario to the Town\u2019s annual Memories of Summer concert<\/a> on the beach, which was headlined by April Wine.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n In 2024, the Town marked its 50th anniversary of incorporation with a week-long celebration and major concerts featuring Burton Cummings, Blue Rodeo<\/a>, Tom Cochrane, The Strumbellas, The Carpet Frogs, and more.<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n In 2025, Wasaga Beach launched the Official Soundtrack of Summer<\/a> and hosted more than 30 live musical performances<\/a> and a family-friendly Fun Zone at Beach Area 1.<\/p>\n The Town is preparing to announce its 2026 festival and event lineup next month.<\/p>\n QUICK FACTS<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Wasaga Beach is the longest freshwater beach in the world, stretching more than 14 kilometres across eight beach areas.<\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Wasaga Beach continues to be recognized by leading travel publications and organizations\u2014including Lonely Planet<\/a>, Narcity Canada<\/a>, and Destination Canada<\/a>\u2014as one of Canada\u2019s top beach destinations.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n About Wasaga Beach \u00a0<\/p>\n See Lonely Planet\u2019s Top Ten Beaches List.<\/a><\/p>\n Learn more about Destination Wasaga.<\/a><\/p>\n
For over one hundred years, the Town of Wasaga Beach has been Ontario\u2019s iconic summer playground \u2014 a place people come to have fun and create summer memories that will last a lifetime. Today, we\u2019re on a mission to become an iconic, four-season recreation and nature-based destination. Building Destination Wasaga, investing in year-round festivals and destination events, and reimagining our downtown and main commercial area at Beach Area 1 supports\u00a0Council\u2019s priorities: to diversify the economy, grow tourism, create jobs, and build a complete community. Destination Wasaga is part of the Town\u2019s plan to become a leader in sustainability, creativity, innovation, and fun. We\u2019re building a community with thriving businesses and safe, inclusive, and complete neighbourhoods\u2014a place that celebrates our rich history, cultural diversity, and natural beauty, including the Nottawasaga River, Georgian Bay, and the longest freshwater beach in the world.<\/p>\n