Southampton Beach

Quiet and peaceful is the essence of Southampton’s beach. Couples stroll the 4-km-long stretch of shore to the mouth of the Saugeen River. Southampton OntarioThe wooden Long Dock extends towards Chantry Island with its Imperial Lighthouse in view offshore. Swing sets dot the expanse, Family Fun Nights are hosted on Fridays in the sheltered picnic area, and benches along the waterfront sidewalk provide a front row seat for watching waves, sunsets and the stars at night. The best place for families is the south end, down by the dunes, where the water is shallow and sandy. Here you’ll also find Gerry’s Fries, the only concessionaire on the beach. A community icon, Gerry’s has fabulous fries, along with ice cream, milkshakes and fast food. As you move north, water shoes come in handy as the lake floor turns pebbly then rocky. Near the giant Canadian flag at the bottom of Main Street, the water also gets deep quickly. The flag, by the way, is a popular spot for watching sunsets – ice cream cone in hand. Enjoy the melodious sounds of bagpipes at sundown on Friday nights in the summer. Amenities: Public washrooms, showers, change rooms, concessionaire, free parking