Burrowing your toes into a sandy beach on a hot day feels like a summer ritual. But as it turns out, you don’t have to fly all the way to the Caribbean to enjoy the experience. Ontario’s cottage country has its fair share of sandy beaches.
These cottage rentals all come with private sandy beaches perfect for swimming, suntanning, snorkelling, fishing, and watersports. A couple even have their own beach volleyball courts. If you’re looking for a cottage rental with a sandy beach, these are the getaways for you.
A four-season cottage rental nestled on the sandy shores of Georgian Bay. The property features 90 feet of sandy, weed-free water great for swimming and snorkeling. Plus, it’s only a 90-minute drive from Toronto.
Located just outside of Huntsville, this three-story cottage rental offers a sandy beach that leads down to a dock where you can swim, fish or partake in water sports. There’s even a beach volleyball court if you’re feeling competitive.
Perched on Oxtongue Lake, just 10 minutes from Algonquin Park, this traditional timber frame cottage rental is the perfect summer hangout. Suntan on the sandy shoreline or take the property’s canoe out and explore.
Location: Algonquin Highlands, Ont.
Price: Averages $506 per night
Sleeps: 11
Bedrooms: 4
Notes:
Internet included
Laundry on site
Outdoor fire pit
Canoe and kayak available for use
Pets welcome
Get a discount if you book a stay after October 24
This property boasts a private sandy beach on Deer Lake, only 20 kilometres north of Huntsville. Both the cottage and the beach are wheelchair accessible. Spend your nights sitting around the property’s fire pit, gazing up at the stars while roasting marshmallows.
This cottage rental is a family’s dream. Located in the heart of Muskoka, the property offers a private sandy beach, an outdoor hot tub, a 40-foot dock, and all the boats and water toys you and your kids could ever need.
Located on Clearwater Lake in Muskoka, this cottage rental has a sloping sandy beach with its own volleyball court. The cottage is only open to family rentals but offers a great waterfront for kids to splash around in.
Finding a family-friendly rental that meets all of your needs can be tough. You need a place that can keep the kids entertained, while also letting the adults get some much-needed R&R. These family-friendly cottage rentals offer an abundance of both.
From water toys to high chairs to swingsets, these cottage rentals tick all the boxes. The most taxing part of the trip will be deciding whether to book a mountain retreat, a place to lounge dockside, or somewhere offering outdoor adventures.
Either way, these rentals are sure to satisfy guests of all ages.
Nestled on Sproat Lake, this cottage rental offers a wade-in beach and a 1,200-sq.-ft. dock perfect for swimming. Take advantage of the pool table and foosball in the games room.
“Stunning home and property! In spite of a rainy, cool weekend we had an incredible family get-together! The house, entertainment area, and yard exceeded our expectations! So much to do for all ages!” wrote Warren and Donna P. in their review of the Stirling Arm Lakehouse.
With seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms, this cottage rental feels like you’re staying in your own private lodge. Located on the shores of the Somass River on Vancouver Island, kids can fish and swim, or take a dip in the heated, in-ground pool.
“Lovely private getaway for a family retreat,” wrote Christina M. about the West Coast River Lodge.
Only one hour from Toronto, this cottage rental offers a slice of paradise on Lake Simcoe. Take advantage of the local restaurants, boat rentals, and 18-hole golf course, all within a 10-minute-walk.
“We had a great time at the lake house. We were there with our family of six, kids aged 3 to 10, and two dogs. It was relaxing and comfortable,” wrote Dina K. about Big Bay Point Cottage.
Surrounded by 2.6 acres of a secluded forest, this vacation rental is a great spot for kids to explore and adults to relax. Have a campfire under the stars, head to nearby Deerhurst Highlands Golf Course, or explore Arrowhead Provincial Park.
“It’s a very nice place to stay with family. It’s clean and has everything you need. There are lots of lovely trails around. The host is very considerate and lovely,” wrote Shena X. in her review of Forestview Cottage.
Retaining its historic charm with modern comforts, this cottage rental is perched on a two-acre lot that is big enough for yard games, bonfires, and even a round of baseball. Plus it’s a short trip to nearby Cavendish Beach.
“We had a wonderful stay. Four adults and three kids slept comfortably, and everything you could want to do is very easily accessible from the house,” wrote Janet B. about Tenmile House Cottage.
This luxurious Muskoka cottage is located on a private island in the middle of Gloucester Pool Lake and is accessible by bridge. It has cathedral ceilings, a games room for the kids, and 180 feet of pristine waterfront.
“Rick’s place was just amazing. It’s in a sublime location and the property was perfect for our group. There were plenty of opportunities to relax, have fun on the water, and enjoy the great outdoors,” wrote Christine J. about her stay at Gloucester Pool Cottage.
With a view of the iconic Whistler ski hills, this vacation rental is a secluded mountain retreat. Enjoy the vaulted ceilings, wraparound deck, and outdoor hot tub, or take the family into Whistler Village to check out the local shops and restaurants.
“The house was perfect for our group of nine. It was well equipped, roomy, and the views were even better than the description,” wrote Madeline W. about Nighthawk Lane Cottage.
Retreat to this mountain lodge for your next family gathering. The rental features 10 bedrooms, each with its own private bathroom. There is a billiards room and hot tub for downtime with the family.
“It was a blast. Our family enjoyed our stay at this property. The staff were friendly and willing to help, and the place’s soundproofing made it a great place for the kids to sleep without having them wake up one another. Everything was well stocked and there were plenty of rooms to share,” wrote James C. in his review of Lorimer Ridge Lodge.
This open-concept cottage is perched on the shores of Lake Muskoka amongst 150-year-old pine trees. The cottage features a playscape for kids, a massive dock for swimming, and a horseshoe pit in case the family gets competitive.
“The cottage is beautiful with tons of space! Waking up early to see the sunrise was worth it. The lake was really nice. Barbecuing while the sun sets was also a joy. They have a little playground that my son enjoyed,” wrote Ray N. about Lake Muskoka Cottage.
Location: Gravenhurst, Ont.
Price: Averages $275 per night
Sleeps: 7
Bedrooms: 4
Notes:
Waterfront property
Internet included
Laundry on site
Playscape and swingset available for kids
Outdoor fire pit
Guest fee of $65 per night for each extra adult after the first two renters
This pet-friendly cottage rental comes with all the boats you need to explore Oxtongue Lake. Kids can play in the shallow shoreline or relax in the property’s hammock. And if you’re looking for a family adventure, Algonquin Provincial Park is only minutes away.
“My family and I enjoyed a great week at Freddie’s. Our grandchildren loved the beach and spent many hours playing in the water. The adults enjoyed using the paddle boards and kayaks to explore the lake. The cottage is stocked with everything you need and Will is a great host,” wrote Jim V. in his review of Oxtongue Lake Cottage.
Cottage owners paying off a mortgage got some bad news on Wednesday after the Bank of Canada raised its policy interest rate a full percentage to 2.5 per cent, the largest one-time increase since 1998.
“An increase of this magnitude at one meeting is very unusual. It reflects very unusual economic circumstances,” said Tiff Macklem, Governor of the Bank of Canada, during a press conference.
The Bank of Canada introduced the hike in response to the country’s runaway inflation rate. In May, Canada’s inflation rate rose to 7.7 per cent, the largest yearly increase since January 1983. As a result, the price of groceries, gas, and other necessities has risen in the last several months.
Inflation is caused when demand is greater than supply. According to Macklem, the factors driving inflation in Canada, as well as the rest of the world, include Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the dizzying price of oil, pent up demand caused by the pandemic, and continued supply chain disruptions. By raising interest rates, the Bank of Canada hopes to dissuade people from borrowing money and making purchases, cooling the market and allowing supply to catch up with demand.
The downside of increasing interest rates is that it makes borrowing money more expensive, including student loans, lines of credit, and mortgages. The real estate market is already seeing the effects as sales volume begins to slow. “People qualify for smaller mortgage loans, and they perceive a higher cost. It’s just less appetizing to pay more interest,” said Tom Davidoff, an economics and real estate professor at the University of British Columbia. “It’s just money out of your pocket.”
Cottage prices in Canada are expected to reach an average high of $640,710 in 2022, according to Royal LePage, and have yet to see a significant dip. But Davidoff said that the slowing sales volume is an indication that a price drop will follow.
Individuals who purchased a cottage during the pandemic with a variable rate mortgage will be feeling the effects of the rate increase, while those who took out a fixed rate mortgage should be protected against the increase for the next few years.
Another concern with rising interest rates is that both Canada and the U.S. are headed for a recession. The stock market indicates pessimism on part of the investors, explained Davidoff, “The ratio of price to earnings on stocks has really plummeted.”
On the other hand, Davidoff added that our job market and housing demand have remained strong. “So, there’s a long way to go before a recession.”
For the time being, Canadians should expect further increases in the Bank of Canada’s interest rate. “We are increasing our policy interest rate quickly to prevent high inflation from becoming entrenched. If it does, it will be more painful for the economy—and for Canadians—to get inflation back down,” Macklem said.
The bank’s goal is to get inflation back to its 2 per cent target by 2024. The bank is scheduled to make its next interest rate announcement on September 7.
Itching to spend more time outdoors and try a new sport? Well, dragon boating might be for you. Whether you want to participate or just watch, dragon boat events (often referred to as regalias) are happening across Ontario all summer.
And, good news—you don’t always have to have prior paddling experience to hop in a boat and participate. Many teams and festivals hold beginner clinics and workshops. You’ll learn technique, power, and teamwork to set yourself up for fun on race day.
Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival
Don’t miss out on Ottawa’s Dragon Boat Festival at Mooney’s Bay Park and Beach from July 24 -26. There’s something for everyone: from a dragon boating competition to family-friendly activities and a concert lineup featuring Serena Ryder, the Strumbellas, Steve Neville, Stoby, Rebelle, and Frown Line at Mooney’s Bay Park. Friday kicks off with opening ceremonies, followed by races on Saturday and Sunday. Individual and team registrations are closed, but you can still watch the races and enjoy the full festival line-up, like the silent auction and beach bar. For more information, visit dragonboat.net.
Paddle with South Niagara Canoe Club
Are you a beginner to dragon boating? The South Niagara Canoe’s Learn to Paddle event is on July 28 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Welland International Flatwater Centre. Anyone aged 18 to 65 is welcome, and no experience is required. Bring a refillable water bottle, sunscreen, comfortable clothing, and shoes that you don’t mind getting wet, along with proof of vaccination. Expect a mild-to-moderate workout. Register now because spots are limited.
Saturday Sunrise Paddle in Port Perry
Paddle from Port Perry to Seagrave and back at sunrise on July 30 with the Scugog Dragon Boat Club from 6 to 9 a.m. The trip is 20 kilometres in total, but don’t worry because you’ll be able to take a break, grab a snack, snap a photo of the beautiful waterway, and switch the side of the boat you’re on mid-way. Participants must be at least eight-years-old and over 88 pounds. No experience is necessary. This event is free, but a $10 donation is appreciated. Book your tickets on Eventbrite before they sell out.
Guelph Dragon Boat Festival
Head to Grand River Conservation for the Guelph Dragon Boat Festival on Saturday, August 13, at Guelph Lake for friendly competition and a chance to win a medal. Each team must pay a registration fee of $850, which includes 25 parking passes and all necessary boating equipment. Teams compete in a 200-metre “knock-out” style race. Winning groups can race up to six times! You’ll want to push hard to win, but try to conserve some energy because there’s a 2000-metre sprint final. An exciting line-up of food, drink, and merchandise vendors will also be available. For more information, click here.
Barrie Dragon Boat Festival
You’ll want to grab a paddle for Barrie’s 18th Annual Dragon Boat Festival on Saturday, August 20, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Heritage Park. This year it’s all about community spirit, vitality, and unity—funds raised will support the Barrie Public Library’s ‘Future Branches’ campaign. Groups can register by paying a $1000 fee and $500 charity donation. All paddlers must be 16 or older, and each team must have at least eight females, with a minimum of 16 paddlers and one drummer. Have a few paddlers who want to practice before the big day? You can book a one-hour session for $120, typically between 5 to 9 p.m. on weekdays, which includes a steersperson. Coaches are also available for hire. For solo paddlers, join a team! Questions? Contact Jeff Aldridge at Corporate Recess at barrie@corporaterecess.ca or visit the main event website.
Toronto GWN Dragon Boat Challenge
Whether you’re a new or experienced paddler, you can participate in this exciting sport at the 27th Annual Tim Hortons GWN Dragon Boat Challenge at Toronto’s Marilyn Bell Park on September 10 and 11. Participants can choose between two packages: Train & Race or Race Ready. The first package includes five practice sessions for $175 at the Balmy Beach Canoe Club on Wednesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. starting August 10, with Sunnyside Paddling Club on Mondays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. starting August 8, or with the Mississauga Canoe Club on Tuesdays from 6 to 7 p.m. starting August 9. No need to practice? Sign up for the Race Ready package, which includes one training session and entry to the challenge. The event will offer a variety of activities such as an interactive Kids Zone and entertainment on the main stage. For questions, contact info@gwnevents.com or visit this website.
Stratford Rotary 25th Dragon Boat Festival
The dragon is making its way to Stratford’s 25th Annual Dragon Boat Festival. Book September 17 off on your calendar because you’re headed to Lake Victoria for a day of racing, fun, food, and entertainment. Watch the 500-metre recreational Hong Kong-style dragon boat races, with eight boats racing. And whether you’re watching or competing, you’ll want to fuel up at the licenced food and drink area. You can find more information at the Stratford Rotary dragon boat festival.
Around 6 p.m. on the evening of July 10, a 41-year-old woman from Essa Township, Ont., 20-minute drive west of Barrie, launched her paddleboard into the Nottawasaga River outside the town of Angus. She intended to paddle 20 kilometres to the Edenvale Conservation Centre with her dog as a companion.
On that night, the Nottawasaga River, which stretches 120 kilometres from the Orangeville Reservoir through the Niagara Escarpment, and empties into Georgian Bay, was experiencing low water levels between Angus and Edenvale. Finding her paddleboard grounded, the woman was forced to portage her board through several stretches of the river, said Ontario Provincial Police in a press release.
The extra exertion of carrying the board slowed the woman’s progress, wearing her down. By the time she hit the 10-kilometre mark, she was exhausted. With the sun getting low, the woman and her dog stopped and were stranded in a remote section of the bush. The woman called a family member for assistance.
The family member and a friend launched a boat from Edenvale and headed back towards Angus in an attempt to locate the woman and dog. But the boat struggled to navigate the low water levels and got caught in a swampy section of the river. The family member and friend abandoned the boat and continued to travel by foot through the bush in the dark.
After walking several kilometres, the family member and friend located the woman and dog. Not having the energy to make it back to the boat, the three individuals made a call to the OPP. Officers from OPP’s Huronia West detachment contacted the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, a search and rescue team operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Canadian Coast Guard.
Using a Griffon helicopter, the two organizations located the stranded individuals along the river, but due to the darkness, the helicopter was unable to land safely. Instead, the helicopter crew lowered a JRCC member to the stranded individuals, carrying supplies, such as food and water. The JRCC member stayed in the bush with the individuals for the remainder of the night.
Early the next morning, once the sun had risen, the helicopter returned and picked up the stranded individuals. All three were returned safely.
Instances such as this illustrate the need to be prepared to handle the associated risks of travelling into remote areas, said the OPP in a statement.
“Search and rescue operations can be complex, expensive, and time-consuming, and involve multiple agencies who, themselves are put at risk. Our best advice is to avoid putting yourself in potentially dangerous circumstances in the first place and to properly plan for contingencies, be prepared for worst-case scenarios, and take along appropriate equipment/clothing.”
When embarking on a remote trip, the OPP suggests:
Travelling with an experienced friend or guide
Leaving a route plan with family members that includes an expected return date
Carrying a cell phone or satellite phone for emergency calls
And bringing emergency equipment, such as extra food, a first aid kit, and a GPS device
Maturity is overtaking my haven on the Rideau at an unexpected pace. Just as we drove in the last nail to complete the project, the first piece of lumber rotted off and fell to the ground.
As I said to the contractor, “The physical plant at my private recreational centre is deteriorating at a rate above and beyond the original engineering projections.”
Or, as I said to my wife, “Look, these darned steps are rotting away already!”
“Well, so they are,” she said. “And so are we.”
This is not a philosophy on which to chew thoughtfully while holding a mouthful of galvanized nails during a repair job.
A maturing cottage can age quickly. These vacation domiciles, crafted so carefully in the younger years of one’s life, are supposed to be holiday retreats that will last forever. And here I am, only a few years after rejoicing over my engineering triumph—I can build steps! I can build steps!—contemplating their replacement. Didn’t we use the best western cedar? Didn’t we stain and restain the wood to keep nature at bay? Didn’t we set the steps on concrete to break contact with the soil?
But nature triumphs.
It is only natural that when dead trees (even in the refined form obtained at the lumber yard) are laid down in the forest, they will want to become part of the forest floor. A cottage is merely a structured compost pile that will quickly revert to rotting vegetation. It is nature’s way.
Stone and brick and even wooden structures in cities, attacked by gas fumes and all sorts of acidic pollution, seem to last for centuries. You slap on a coat of paint every 10 years or so and the thing holds together forever. On the other hand a cottage, which knows only the natural elements of wind, rain, snow, and sunshine, will fall down in five years—guaranteed—unless tended and nurtured carefully every summer weekend.
This is a fact of life unappreciated by non-cottagers. I met a man recently who was contemplating buying a cottage. Explaining that he wasn’t much of a handyman, he asked, “Is there much upkeep in a cottage?”
Sir, it is a cottage. No more need be said.
This natural decomposition rate of a cottage, when considered along with the decomposition rate of one’s body, is enough to turn one’s thoughts to other forms of holiday accommodations. Renting, for example. Sell the cottage, invest the money, use the interest to rent a cottage retreat. Let someone else repair the rotten steps.
Or yachting. We could sell the decomposing cottage and buy a tidy plastic yacht that would be immune to all the ravages of nature save shoals and rocks.
“Look at them,” I say, peering through binoculars at a pride of yachts wallowing up the Rideau. “In the fall the owners simply tie up at a dock, hand a wad of money to somebody else to look after their boats, and go away to Florida.”
My wife grabbed the binocs. “There’s a man on the bridge,” she says, “and he’s telling his wife he’s going to sell the yacht and buy a cottage. He’s saying, ‘Bet a cottage gets more than three miles to the gallon’.”
I’m amazed. I didn’t know she could lipread across the lake. I’ll have to be more careful in the future.
Cottaging is a constant challenge to test our mettle. We have wrestled with boats through milfoil-choked channels and every spring we hire a stunt pilot to spray for moths. Next on nature’s list of promised plagues are zebra mussels, which will clog our water intake lines. If Pharaoh thought chasing Moses and the Israelites was frustrating, he should have tried cottaging in Canada.
Perhaps cottages should be recognized and protected as endangered species, needing special treatment on account of their intrinsic frailty. You put them up and, with careful planning and engineering, you might be able to stretch their natural five-year life spans to 10, provided you don’t stomp around on the deck or slam the door.
After a decade, you’ll be nothing left but a pile of mouldering lumber and rotting shingles. Future generations will have the opportunity to build again and enjoy the awesome sight of nature reducing their carpentry to forest rubble. But enough of this philosophizing. Pass the nails, please. I’ve got steps to mend.
The cottage kitchen is a great place to give new life to appliances that have past their prime. But, sometimes you want an upgrade and to make life easier, not harder. Your cottage kitchen (and you) deserve a new-wave coffee machine, a personal-sized blender, or even something as simple as a collapsible colander. We sifted through Amazon Prime Day deals to find the best kitchen appliances that are portable, practical, and storable–perfect for any cottage kitchen.
If you choose to purchase any of these products through the links provided, we may earn a small commission. Read more about our Editorial Policy here.
If you’ve been looking for an excuse to upgrade your outdoor furniture and accessories, take advantage of Amazon Prime Day. Whether you’re looking for comfy chairs, sparkling lights, planters, and outdoor umbrellas, there is something for everyone to spruce up your outdoor space at the cottage. Grab all the best deals for your outdoor furniture needs (and wants!) before the end of the sales tonight.
The search: For Justine and Olivier Penner*, the search for a weekend getaway started with a desire for a little more elbow room. The couple had been renting a two-bedroom apartment in Vancouver since 2011, and in 2018, when their daughter was four years old, they started looking for land that they could enjoy and that would be an investment they could pass along to their daughter.
Most importantly, they didn’t want to spend more than $100,000. “That’s a modest amount, unless you wanted to take on a mortgage,” says Justine. “And both of us are very debt-averse.” Olivier was keen to travel without a car, and so they narrowed their search to the Gulf Islands, which is accessible by ferry after a short bike or bus ride from the city (though they have a car and a cargo e-bike for transport when necessary).
They found a spot that looked ideal: a 1/2-acre plot of land in the woods where they could tent camp, that was a 20-minute walk to local beaches and close to the ferry. And it was potentially within their budget—if they could just get the list price down from $140,000.
The compromise: They researched the history of the land and discovered it had sold for $68,000 the year previous, so they had some hope of bringing the cost down—but unfortunately, their initial offer of $100,000 was quickly declined. But a few months later, Olivier noticed that the land still hadn’t sold. They asked their realtor to re-engage with the seller, and—after rallying a little more money—negotiated a price both sides could live with: $113,000. “I joked with Olivier that we just bought a really expensive camping spot,” says Justine.
The silver lining:Tent camping was the plan for the near future—until they learned their friend, Angela, had built a tiny house on another, more challenging-to-access island. She was hoping to find a place to move it to that was less remote. Local bylaws stated that so long as they kept the wheels on the 16-by-9-foot cabin, the tiny home could legally be “parked” and inhabited for up to 90 days a year as a recreational vehicle—meaning no camping for Justine and Olivier and a closer getaway for Angela and her partner, Daniel. The four of them hammered out a five-year time-share agreement in writing—and they divvied up the $5,000 expense to move the tiny home onto the property (thanks to highway permits and making the cabin road-worthy), along with ongoing maintenance costs. The getaway has been just what the family of three was looking for. “There’s enough room for us to sleep in the loft. We put up little lights, and it’s just naturally cozy,” says Justine.
*All names have been changed
Owner advice: Lessons learned from sharing a tiny home
Cover all the details The couples spent hours creating what they describe as their “MOU”—Memorandum of Understanding—that lasts for five years. It covers how expenses and time at the place are shared and, perhaps more importantly, what happens if someone pulls out of the agreement early and how they would handle it. At the end of five years, they’ll discuss the arrangement for the tiny home again.
Put it in writing
The group uses Google Docs to track everything. There’s nothing formal that says who gets which weekend—“and I wouldn’t expect anyone to block out the whole summer,” says Justine—but so long as either party doesn’t exceed their allotted 45 days, it’s flexible.
Be prepared for some conflict
“You can never anticipate all possible misunderstandings,” says Justine. Lucky for the group, she’s a skilled mediator, so they’ve quickly dealt with anything that comes up. A group WhatsApp channel keeps communication lines open—and they make sure they get together for dinner at least once a quarter to discuss any issues that arise. “We have a pretty high commitment to each other and the friendship,” she says.
Have you recently purchased a cottage in a unique way? Tell us about it: edit@cottagelife.com
Cottage Coach Adam Holman is Cottage Life’s resident DIY expert. Like many of us, he has been waiting patiently for Amazon Prime Day to scoop up some great deals on tools and outdoor gear. Here are his picks.