Toronto Island SUP began in 2014 with a tent on the beach and less than a dozen boards.
Now it is the premier SUP destination in Toronto with a fully stocked quiver of all types of boards for your enjoyment. It's our mission to give you memorable experiences on Lake Ontario. TISUP attracts passionate staff members to serve your experience and provides rigorous training in safety, paddling & teaching techniques and detailed information on the area. Come experience the 14 Toronto Islands with us as your guides to see for yourself. This is the only island chain in Western Lake Ontario and hosts 6 sites which are designated Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest as well as Environmentally Significant Areas.
The Toronto Island is a special place with tons of history. Learn about the history of its formation, flora & fauna, people and more on one of our Eco-Tours. Did you know that the Islands were actually a series of sandbars formed by sediment from the Scarborough Bluffs? Or that the location of the City of Toronto (then York) was chosen due to the fantastic natural harbour created by the then peninsula? Learn about William Ward, Ned Hanlan and how the Island became the eccentric community it is today.
The Toronto Island is a special place with tons of history. Learn about the history of its formation, flora & fauna, people and more on one of our Eco-Tours. Did you know that the Islands were actually a series of sandbars formed by sediment from the Scarborough Bluffs? Or that the location of the City of Toronto (then York) was chosen due to the fantastic natural harbour created by the then peninsula? Learn about William Ward, Ned Hanlan and how the Island became the eccentric community it is today.
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We give you the option to explore on your own with a rental, take a lesson, do a SUP Yoga class or join us on one of our special events like Acro SUP Yoga or SUP Camp. We believe that giving city dwellers and visitors a place to recharge in nature and escape the fast pace of the city is necessary to overall wellness. We are happy to provide that so close to downtown where you can still peer over the treetops and get a glimpse of the CN Tower.
Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) has become the fastest growing sport in North America in terms of new participation. This vehicle provides a whole new perspective of the natural world which is so close to the city of Toronto. We are very excited to share it with you! |
SAFE BEACHES
Toronto Island Beaches are Blue Flag beaches. The Blue Flag is a certification by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) that a beach, marina or sustainable boating tourism operator meets its stringent standards.The Blue Flag is a trademark owned by FEE which is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation consisting of 65 organisations in 60 member countries in Europe, Africa, Oceania, Asia, North America and South America.
Toronto Island Beaches are Blue Flag beaches. The Blue Flag is a certification by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) that a beach, marina or sustainable boating tourism operator meets its stringent standards.The Blue Flag is a trademark owned by FEE which is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation consisting of 65 organisations in 60 member countries in Europe, Africa, Oceania, Asia, North America and South America.
AMBASSADORS OF THE LAKE
Let's all work together to make Lake Ontario a body of water we can be proud of. Last summer we set up on Wards Beach multiple times with the reps from Lake Ontario Waterkeeper in an effort to raise awareness for better water quality reporting for Lake Ontario. We should all take ownership and be proud of this beautiful lake at our doorstep and do our best to protect it. 1 in 5 Canadians rely on the lake for fresh drinking water and all of us can do our part in the effort to protect this precious resource. See the LOW website to see what efforts they are taking and checkout the Swim Guide for up to date information on water quality.
Let's all work together to make Lake Ontario a body of water we can be proud of. Last summer we set up on Wards Beach multiple times with the reps from Lake Ontario Waterkeeper in an effort to raise awareness for better water quality reporting for Lake Ontario. We should all take ownership and be proud of this beautiful lake at our doorstep and do our best to protect it. 1 in 5 Canadians rely on the lake for fresh drinking water and all of us can do our part in the effort to protect this precious resource. See the LOW website to see what efforts they are taking and checkout the Swim Guide for up to date information on water quality.
Toronto Island has tons to offer from beaches and volleyball to unique dining experiences. Wards Island hosts a small community of 262 homes sprinkled in around acres of parkland, meadows and beaches to get away and get some relaxation time.
STAY
If you are looking for bed and breakfasts/rental units for weekly and daily rentals, look here on the accommodations website for a list of just under a dozen options on Wards and Algonquin Islands. Some popular spots are Toronto Island Retreat and Smiley's B&B. Book early to ensure your spot. They can fill quite quickly come summer.
NATURE AND BEACHES
The Wards Island Wet Meadow is one of 6 places on the island deemed an Environmentally Significant Area (ESA) and Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI). There are 86 ESAs in Toronto all together. This means that they host important plant and animal species and gives you the chance to have a taste of nature without leaving the city. See more on this here. While on Wards, check out the Wards Island Beach and soak in the sun or play a game of volleyball. This lively spot has become a popular spot in recent years for city dwellers to escape the heat.
From the Algonquin Bridge to Centre Island you can find a vast stretch of park which doubles as a world class disc golf course. This area makes for good walking on the road or through thickets and fields. Watch out for flying discs! You can even head over to Snake Island for some more exploring on this heavily wooded island.
If your prefer to walk by the water, take the boardwalk, one of the most beautiful walking paths in Toronto with views out to Lake Ontario and beyond (on a clear day) and willows and poplar trees creeping overhead. It takes you almost all the way to the next blue flag beach at Centre Island with a pier that juts out into Lake Ontario. The beach here can be packed on hot days and is host to many visitors of the city. For a quieter and more bohemian feel, keep going to Gibraltar Beach behind the artist community of Artscape Gibraltar Point.
Past Centre Island, you will meet more parks including the Franklins Children Garden, the William Meaney Maze and the Saturn Playground. The parks and woodlands continue all the way to the Hanlans dock where you will see the landscape and ecosystem change to natural sand dune formations. Check out the only nude beach in Toronto at Hanlans point if you're feeling adventurous. There's more than just nudity and free spirits here. Go outside of the enclosed clothing optional area to find a beautiful expanse of beach capped by the Toronto City Centre Airport and backed by a natural dune ecosystem which is home to many interesting species of plants and animals. This is the only dune ecosystem in western Lake Ontario.
The island community has many creative people who document life here, both human and natural. Check out Sean Tamblyn's website for stunning photos of the Toronto Islands' wild side here.
DINING
As far as dining goes, checkout the Riviera (formerly known as the Rectory) and the Wards Island Cafe. The Riviera offers a back patio with a beautiful view of the lake and an interior that doubles as an art gallery. They often have art on display from local artists and rotate the work regularly. The Wards Island Cafe is an all outdoor patio with lots of shade covers. It offers a delicious menu with lots of vegetarian/vegan options, some of which they actually grow right out front in their Garden. Both are fully licensed. See their websites for more info.
AMUSEMENT
One of the main attractions on the island is the Centreville Amusement park which offers endless fun for children to adults. You will also find the Far Enough Farm in the same area, where you can pet cows and horses and see a wide range of farm life in action. Watch your fingers!
BIKE RENTAL
Just South of the Centre Island Bridge rent a bike at the Bicycle Rental. Tour the island by bicycle or quadracycle for a different kind of adventure.
STAY
If you are looking for bed and breakfasts/rental units for weekly and daily rentals, look here on the accommodations website for a list of just under a dozen options on Wards and Algonquin Islands. Some popular spots are Toronto Island Retreat and Smiley's B&B. Book early to ensure your spot. They can fill quite quickly come summer.
NATURE AND BEACHES
The Wards Island Wet Meadow is one of 6 places on the island deemed an Environmentally Significant Area (ESA) and Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI). There are 86 ESAs in Toronto all together. This means that they host important plant and animal species and gives you the chance to have a taste of nature without leaving the city. See more on this here. While on Wards, check out the Wards Island Beach and soak in the sun or play a game of volleyball. This lively spot has become a popular spot in recent years for city dwellers to escape the heat.
From the Algonquin Bridge to Centre Island you can find a vast stretch of park which doubles as a world class disc golf course. This area makes for good walking on the road or through thickets and fields. Watch out for flying discs! You can even head over to Snake Island for some more exploring on this heavily wooded island.
If your prefer to walk by the water, take the boardwalk, one of the most beautiful walking paths in Toronto with views out to Lake Ontario and beyond (on a clear day) and willows and poplar trees creeping overhead. It takes you almost all the way to the next blue flag beach at Centre Island with a pier that juts out into Lake Ontario. The beach here can be packed on hot days and is host to many visitors of the city. For a quieter and more bohemian feel, keep going to Gibraltar Beach behind the artist community of Artscape Gibraltar Point.
Past Centre Island, you will meet more parks including the Franklins Children Garden, the William Meaney Maze and the Saturn Playground. The parks and woodlands continue all the way to the Hanlans dock where you will see the landscape and ecosystem change to natural sand dune formations. Check out the only nude beach in Toronto at Hanlans point if you're feeling adventurous. There's more than just nudity and free spirits here. Go outside of the enclosed clothing optional area to find a beautiful expanse of beach capped by the Toronto City Centre Airport and backed by a natural dune ecosystem which is home to many interesting species of plants and animals. This is the only dune ecosystem in western Lake Ontario.
The island community has many creative people who document life here, both human and natural. Check out Sean Tamblyn's website for stunning photos of the Toronto Islands' wild side here.
DINING
As far as dining goes, checkout the Riviera (formerly known as the Rectory) and the Wards Island Cafe. The Riviera offers a back patio with a beautiful view of the lake and an interior that doubles as an art gallery. They often have art on display from local artists and rotate the work regularly. The Wards Island Cafe is an all outdoor patio with lots of shade covers. It offers a delicious menu with lots of vegetarian/vegan options, some of which they actually grow right out front in their Garden. Both are fully licensed. See their websites for more info.
AMUSEMENT
One of the main attractions on the island is the Centreville Amusement park which offers endless fun for children to adults. You will also find the Far Enough Farm in the same area, where you can pet cows and horses and see a wide range of farm life in action. Watch your fingers!
BIKE RENTAL
Just South of the Centre Island Bridge rent a bike at the Bicycle Rental. Tour the island by bicycle or quadracycle for a different kind of adventure.
See more on Toronto Island in this short documentary.
Enjoy the best things to do in Toronto with a plan including Toronto Island SUP
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