Bluffer’s Park
Location: Bluffer’s Park (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
Explorer: Jordan-na Belle-Isle – @jordashna
Board Used: Expedition
Date Logged: February 26, 2021
SUP Explorer – The Best Places to Stand Up Paddle Board
My favourite place to SUP and surf is the Scarborough Bluffs, usually referred to as The Bluffs. It is part of the City of Toronto parks system, and is made up of 11 parks over a 15 kilometer stretch. The scenery is stunning, and even more so from the water. The Bluffs themselves stand tall and golden in the sunlight, made up of silt, sand and clay, their shapes and texture formed by the effects of wind, precipitation, and water over a 12,000 year period. The Bluffs contrast nicely with the wide, flat expanse of Lake Ontario.
The beach provides an easy launch spot with plenty of room and a sandy, shallow entry point. From there, you can either follow the shoreline west or east. Going westward will lead you along the rock-lined inlets that surfers flock to on high wind days. It’ll also give you an amazing view of Crescent Park, with the closest view of the bluffs for a great photo op. Don’t get too close though; the bluffs are unstable, with sediment occasionally tumbling down the face. There’s also wildlife, with lots of birds to be seen on the water, such as ducks, geese and swans.
An eastbound route will give you the longest stretch of the Bluffs, with many areas to dock that are hard to access by foot. Perfect for a little private picnic and swim in the lake! For a long trek, you can continue paddling past the park’s boundaries and aim for The Guild Park, East Point Park, or even Pickering, with the Nuclear Generating Station visible from the Bluffs. Rumour has it that the water is warmer around there!
SUP Explorer Photos from Bluffer’s Park
SUP Explorer Tips for Your Visit to Bluffer’s Park
- There are three public parking lots at Bluffer’s Park, all within walking distance of the water. The best one is the east parking lot mentioned above; follow the signs to “Beach”
- Bluffer’s Park gets very crowded on summer weekends and holidays, often filled to capacity. Best to go at sunrise, during the week, or in the off-season
- Most of the paddling around the Scarborough Bluffs is on open water, so check the winds before you go
- No car, no problem! The TTC’s 175 bus brings passengers to the park, making it easy for someone with an inflatable SUP to get there
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About the Author: Jordan-na
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