Area Description

Wasaga Beach (variant: Wasaga) is a town in Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada. Nestled along the longest freshwater beach in the world, it is a very popular summer tourist destination, situated at the southern end of Georgian Bay, approximately two hours north of Toronto, and neighbours, to the west, the town of Collingwood. Wasaga Beach is situated along 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) of white sandy beach on Nottawasaga Bay and the winding Nottawasaga River.

Wasaga Beach Provincial Park is the first provincial park in Canada awarded the Blue Flag designation for its efforts to manage Wasaga's shoreline according to international environmental standards.

Over two million people visit the town every summer to stroll the shores of the Wasaga's freshwater beach (stretching 14 kilometres or 8.7 miles), swim in warm clean waters and enjoy the panoramic mountain views across the bay. There are many recreational trails that are used for hiking, cycling, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. The Nottawasaga River offers game fishing and canoe routes to explore.

The beach is divided into smaller beaches with the public beaches numbered 1 to 6 sequentially from east to west. Its position on the waters of Nottawasaga Bay means its summer temperatures are moderated somewhat by the water, so summer days are much more comfortable than days that are hot in Toronto, but the same winds off the water trigger very heavy and intense snow squalls in the winter. As such, snowmobiling, skiing, and other winter sports are popular along the beach.

Also located in the town of Wasaga Beach is Wasaga Beach Provincial Park.[3] In the summer months it is a very popular place for beach volleyball and sunbathing. A boardwalk runs most of the way along Beach 1 and 2. Beach 1 draws the largest crowds, with the popularity quality of the beaches decreasing the further west. East of the main beaches are another large beach (New Wasaga) and Allenwood Beach that abuts up to many houses and cottages.

In the winter, there are many miles of fresh groomed trails for snowmobiling thanks to the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs and in part to the purchasers of the trail passes. The town built an addition to the community center known locally as the "Rec-Plex", which added an auditorium, an amphitheater and a YMCA.

The 2006 Canadian census indicated a population of 15,029 residents. When compared to its 2001 population of 12,419, Wasaga Beach is one of the fastest growing communities in Canada based on population growth percentage (21.0% over 5 years). Wasaga Beach is in the midst of a building boom including a major development for the beach planned with the goal of making Wasaga Beach a year-round tourist destination. Because of its proximity to Toronto, there is a heavy outflow of money from Toronto and surrounding towns and cities into cottage or weekend properties located in the Beach.