Port Elgin Main Beach — Attraction in Saugeen Shores

First time that I visited this beach. I came here on a Saturday in August. I arrived around 10am and there was still plenty of free parking available. I decided to set up my stuff a little further away from the main beach. The sand was white but there were some cigarette buds here and there. I wasn't sure about the rules regarding this beach as I could not find any online. I brought a small umbrella/tent, two chairs and a cooler. Nobody came by to bother me about the umbrella/tent. Around noon, more people started to come to the beach but it wasn't crazy busy. I didn't see anyone BBQing on the beach, so, I don't think this is allowed. The water was a bit chilly but was clear and had a little ting of green to it. I checked the water quality online and it read that it was okay to swim in. Lots of small kids in the water. It's pretty shallow, for about 4 meters in and then it starts to get deep. In terms of food, there is a cafe close to the main beach that serves a variety of food. I got the poutine which tasted great! Washrooms are on the main beach. They are very well maintained and lots of stalls. I saw a few picnic tables around the beach but they seem to be taken pretty quick. Overall, the beach is well maintained, had a peaceful atmosphere and the water is good to swim in. The one thing that I didn't like is that there is a weird smell around the beach area. It kind of smells like manure...similar to the smell that you get when you are driving to the beach and you pass some of the farms...it kind of smells like manure. The smell was strongest in the the morning and then disappeared in the...

The last time we visited this beach was more than 17 years ago. Things have changed quite a bit - for the better - in my opinion. The beach is sandy and shallow while the pier keeps the water calm, clear, and clean. The turquoise colour of the water is gorgeous. This beach is very safe for young children. Furthermore, the fine sand has a great compact consistency for various activities like making a sand ball, castle building or heart-shaped photo hole. If you didn't know what a heart-shaped photo hole is, it's digging a hole in the sand in a heart shape. Line it with some paper towels or other material so your device doesn't get covered in sand. Set the time on your camera or smartphone and pop your head above the hole & take a photo. The gazebos can be reserved ahead of time for large group picnics. The washrooms are clean and the showers are conveniently located behind a wall yet still out in the open. There is plenty of free parking right by the beach. Bonus: this beach offers an excellent view of the sunset...

Nice sandy beach, in and out of the water. If I heard correctly, the water levels are quite high this year (2019) and this would mean there would normally be much more dry sand to sit down on. That said, I recommend you arrive early in the morning as many people flock to this location and by 10am it can be quite crowded. For those who like to go into the lake, the water temperature can vary considerably from year to year; generally it's warmer toward the end of summer but still can be on the cool side. The water gradually deepens and shallows according to sandbars, which can also vary in height and separation from season to season. For the most, you can walk out 50 or metres before it gets really deep. It's mostly sandy, but again, weather patterns can change this as well. The sunsets are also second to none. (Pardon the cliche.) I highly recommend you stay for...