Petrie Island Beach — Attraction in Ottawa

Petrie Island is one of Ottawa’s most enchanting hidden gems, a peaceful haven where you can rent a boat and glide through calm waters, surrounded by ospreys diving for fish, herons and egrets wading gracefully, bitterns you can see only by boat and a symphony of wildlife at every turn. Especially in the spring, this place feels like nature’s cathedral: serene, vibrant, and alive.

In addition to exploring by water, there are many short, accessible trails that wind through the forest and wetlands, perfect for observing wildlife up close on foot. Whether you're hoping to spot songbirds, turtles, or shy mammals in the underbrush, the trails at Petrie Island offer something new each time you visit.

Among the many unforgettable wildlife encounters here, one story will forever stay with me: the great horned owl mother who became a local legend. For years, she nested on the island, raising her babies in the safety of the trees. But during the devastating ice storm of 2018, something extraordinary happened.

As freezing rain and ice pummeled the region for over 30 hours, this incredible owl spread her wings, literally, shielding each of her owlets beneath them. She took the full force of the storm, never once abandoning her young. Eventually, a massive chunk of ice struck her unconscious. She was rescued by an arborist, and I helped rush the owlets to The Owl Foundation. Sadly, their brave mother didn’t survive.

She died a true hero. The photos I’ve shared are of her and her babies, images I captured before she left this earth. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of all who witnessed her story.

I created a short documentary about her journey and the rescue effort, which you can find on my YouTube channel. I’m @theeowlqueen on all social platforms if you’d like to see more of her story and the breathtaking wildlife that makes Petrie Island such a sacred place.

May she rest in peace, and may her courage never...

This is my favorite place in all the world!! With three beaches and bananas Tiki Bar which serves alcoholic drinks Burgers sausages Jamaican chicken and all are amazing!! right on the middle beach which has a website but generally they're open noon till 7 ortill 9 on Friday and Saturday in good weather along with tropical music on Saturday nights and sometimes Fridays where they teach salsa for free. drive to the end of the road it is behind the bathrooms. Petrie Island has everything along with the most beautiful sunsets. There are paved walking paths and also Woodsy paths. There are signs showing where the paths are mostly around the end of the road but in on the left side of the parking lots. The paths Follow The water's edge on both sides of the island. You'll find shade if you go to the very end of the final parking lots. The first parking lots are closest to the East Beach in the bay but no shade there. The water is clean unless it's been raining a lot but we were there yesterday and it is been raining a ton ton ton this week and the water was still clear to swim. There are green or red flags they will put up to tell you but I just go online the city provides a daily update of all the beaches. It's very shallow so it's great for kids and you can go out a little beyond the buoy line for deeper water and the lifeguards won't bother you. On the weekends the boats will gather on the East Bay Beach and are...

Petrie Island is my year round go-to place for a walk through nature, playing ball on the beach, enjoying one of the less public sandy spots along the river to swim, or launch the kayak or canoe for some river or inland marsh exploration. Protection of wildlife in this conservation area makes it a unique destination within the city for a closeup view of animals, birds and reptiles plus great photo opportunities and amazing sunsets. Guests to Petrie can enjoy fishing, swimming, picnic areas both at the beach and in the wood area immediately west of the beach as well as several small trails. Dogs are not permitted in the conservation area, and guests are asked to be mindful of cleaning up their garbage & disposing of accordingly, and not feeding the seagulls. There are public washrooms but no change room, and parking cost is $2 for 5 hours (better deal than a ticket. By-law is present always). Oziles Marina at the south tip of the Island has docking for short and long term stays, as well as canoe and kayak rentals, tackle, live bait, and a boat launch. What more could you ask for? Sadly the local restaurant for the beach has not re-opened this year so best to grab some takeout at one of the nearby food trucks in Orleans if you need some...