How to visit Toronto Islands during off season

During the summer months, the Toronto Islands are a bustling hive of activity. There are cafes, rides, and so many attractions. But if you are planning on visiting during the off season they can be just as beautiful, even in the freezing temperatures. This guide will provide you with all the information you need on how to visit the Toronto Islands during off season.

If you are wondering if Toronto is worth visiting checkout our post!

About the Islands

The Toronto Islands are a collection of small islands located in Lake Ontario. They are located just south of mainland Toronto and are a popular summer destination for Torontonians and tourists alike. The islands are mostly car free with exception being made for service vehicles. On the Islands you will find parklands, yacht clubs, beaches, an amusement park and possibly some of the most beautiful houses you have ever seen.

In total the islands are about 5km long. The centre and middle islands are where you will find the amusement parks and other touristy activities. Although these are seasonal and only open between May and September.

How to visit the Toronto Islands during the off season

So you want to know how to visit the Toronto Islands during the off season? Well ferry services still run to parts of the island as there are people who live there. Keep in mind though that nothing is open on the island in the winter, so bring warm clothes, bottles of water, and any snacks that you might need to keep you going. There are public toilets on the island though, so at least you don’t have to worry about that.

How to get to Ward’s Island

The only ferry service running in the winter is to Ward’s Island. The first service is at 6.35am and finishes at 11pm. Ferries are not as frequent as in the summer months so if you show up and expect to get on a ferry straight away you might have to wait up to an hour for the next one. For further information on the ferry schedule have a look at the toronto.ca website.

To purchase tickets you will need to make your way to the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, located between Bay Street and Yonge Street on Queens Quay. Tickets cost just under $8 for a return ticket per adult. This is not including tax.

It takes about 10-15 minutes to get to Ward’s Island and it is a pretty smooth journey. There is space to stand outside and a small amount of space inside as well, in case you are like us and cannot handle the cold!

When you are ready to leave you just need to wait for the next ferry to take you back to the mainland. Bring warm clothes as it can get pretty cold on the island (even colder than the mainland) and you may have to wait a while for the next ferry back.

Things to do on Ward’s Island

Ward’s island is a residential part of the island and even in the summer months you will find less tourists here. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit. For starters it is one of the best places in Toronto to get an epic picture of the skyline. As soon as you get off the boat there is a beautiful beach on your left hand side ready for you to take photos. It is also pretty cool because you can see the planes as they come in to land at Billy Bishop Airport.

The island is a great place to explore and get an insight into the lives of its residents. Some of the houses are well kept and others less so. That is honestly a huge part of the charm though. We couldn’t help walking around looking at the houses and imagining who lives there, and how amazing it would be to call this place home.

There are no stores on the island so residents do need to take the ferry over to the mainland to stock up on groceries and supplies. Life on the island is certainly very different from life in downtown Toronto. There are around 262 houses and about 600 people that live on the Toronto Islands. It really is a small community with a very bohemian feel.

There is a gorgeous beach located on the island on the opposite side to where the ferry disembarks. It is the perfect place to sit with a picnic basket or a rug and take in the serenity.

Why you should visit Toronto Islands in the off season

Despite the fact that it was off season we had a fantastic time exploring Ward’s Island. We visited in October when the leaves had started changing colour and falling on the ground. For us, this just added to the atmosphere and beauty.

The fact that it is not overrun by tourists is also a plus. A lot of people get put off by the fact that everything is closed in the winter and decide not to go. We definitely think that is a huge mistake. Ward’s island is incredible. You just want to explore every little nook and cranny. Although I should add that the island is where people live so be respectful of that.

If you are looking for a memorable experience different from your usual Toronto attractions then you really should visit Ward’s Island. At the very least you can get that Instagram perfect photo of the skyline before getting back on the boat to the mainland.

And if you want more Toronto inspiration checkout our Toronto bucket list.