Southampton Beach
Southampton, ON, Canada
Southampton Beach runs along Lake Huron near the mouth of the Saugeen River in Southampton, Ontario, looking straight out at Chantry Island. The island's 1859 Imperial Tower lighthouse and its migratory bird sanctuary sit about a kilometre offshore. It's a relaxed, sandy town beach with some of the best sunset framing on the lake.
A sandy town beach with a lighthouse island on the horizon, though it's quieter than Sauble up the road.
How we score beachesBook the Chantry Island boat tour: a 20 minute crossing, a restored keeper's cottage, and 107 steps to the lantern room.
Parking along the waterfront in town.
A short walk from the waterfront road to the sand.
Chantry Island tours run from late May to early September. Tens of thousands of birds nest on the island in breeding season.
More Great Lakes beaches
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Freshwater Lake Michigan surf below towering sand dunes, some over 400 feet tall, with water clear enough to rival a coastline and a hike back up the dune to burn it off.
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