Sauble Beach
Hit the beach in a laid-back Great Lakes community
Sauble Beach is a small, unincorporated resort community in Ontario’s South Bruce Peninsula on Lake Huron. Travelers from all over the area consider Sauble Beach to be one of the most rewarding tourist destinations in the region, renowned for its large dunes, pleasing shoreline and inviting waters.
Comfortable, predictable climate conditions and alluring recreation opportunities make this a magnet for beachcombers. At the height of tourist season, the town’s population swells from 2,000 to nearly 100,000 people. All strive to live Sauble Beach’s motto, “live life slow.”
Hitting the Beach
Sauble Beach is the world’s second-longest freshwater beach. Spanning over seven miles along the west of town, this beautifully unique shore is the perfect setting for a volleyball game, a Frisbee toss or a relaxing sun-worshipping session.
The beach also contains rare formations of sandbar deposits that result in uncommonly warm, shallow waters, resembling more traditional ocean shores, as opposed to those typically associated with freshwater lakes. These optimal conditions make for a perfect afternoon of swimming, sailing, fishing, kayaking or just enjoying a picnic on the beach.
Waterfalls and One Big Dune
Sitting to the south of the Sauble River, which empties into the lake, the village’s center encompasses charming streets lined with quaint restaurants and bed-and-breakfasts. Sauble Beach’s Main Street exudes a classic beach town feel, with vacationers in flip-flops and shorts casually strolling the sidewalks.
Located at the north end of the Sauble Beach border, Sauble Falls Provincial Park provides a multitude of opportunities for day-trippers. Chinook salmon and rainbow trout swim upstream toward the waterfall that gives the 49-acre park its title, providing ample opportunities for anglers, whether novice or skilled. Throughout the park, hikers will likely encounter photo opportunities in the form of white-tailed deer, red squirrels and black bears. The waterfall itself is accessible by foot.
Returning from the woods to enjoy the beach is easy via the Sauble Falls Provincial Park Trail, casual, 1.5-mile stroll, which leads through ancient red pines to a rewarding finish line that comes in the form of Sauble’s largest sand dune.
About an hour’s drive from Sauble Beach sits Bruce Peninsula National Park, which clings to cliffs that rise from the waters of Georgian Bay. The park’s old-growth forests are home to black bears, reptiles and stellar hiking trails. Stop in at the park visitor center in the town Tobermory for a trail map and other information about the park.
The longest and oldest footpath in Canada, Bruce Trail gives hikers a chance to explore the Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Nearby, Georgian Bay-Marr Lake Trail leads visitors to the park’s dramatic lakeside cliffs.
Paddle Boarding Fun
Although the art of stand-up paddle boarding originated thousands of miles away in Hawaii, this aquatic recreational sport has become a familiar pastime for Sauble Beach regulars. An offshoot of surfing, stand-up paddle boarding involves using paddles to propel a thicker version of a surfboard, and the activity ranks near the highest among preferred outdoor sporting events for first-timers. Obtaining stand-up paddleboard gear is easy, with many area businesses offering hourly and daily rentals. Group outings also are available.
The clear waters and shimmering sands of Sauble Beach during the summer contrast with the ivory snow that coats the area during winter. Whereas summer visitors may strap boards to their feet while traversing the waters of Lake Huron, many who visit the area during winter opt for snowshoes. Hiking along the snow-covered forest paths is a must for anyone lucky enough to visit Southern Ontario during snowshoeing conditions, but full moons during December, January and February months provide the most optimal times for enjoying hot cider.
For those who seek companionship while enjoying terrain-appropriate footwear, full moon group snowshoe treks are offered to those who wish to witness lunar illumination along the 6-plus miles of snow-covered forest paths. Of course, no snow-packed outing would be complete without an evening of cross-country skiing, which is provided by the Sauble Beach Cross Country Ski Club.
For More Information
Sauble Beach Tourism Office
519-422-1262
www.saublebeach.com
Ontario Travel
800-668-2746
www.ontariotravel.net
