Ward's Island Beach

About Ward's Island Beach

A sandy beach on the eastern Toronto Islands, calmer and less crowded than Centre Island. Much of Toronto's shoreline is built on rubble and waste, and a century of pre-recycling rubbish has washed into Lake Ontario, so beach glass turns up along most of the city's beaches.

Sea glass at Ward's Island Beach

Mostly green, brown and white fragments; red and cobalt are much rarer and usually tiny.

Visiting Ward's Island Beach

Getting there

Take the ferry from the docks at the foot of Bay Street.

Safety

Check the tide times before you go and head out on a falling tide, so you're never cut off. Keep away from the bottom of cliffs, wear sturdy shoes on rocks, and only take sea glass and other man-made rubbish: pebbles, sand and shells should stay on the beach.