• Ontario
• Greater Toronto Area
• Toronto
• Downtown Toronto
• Toronto Island

The biggest urban car-free community

Panorama of Toronto Islands, viewed from the CN Tower.

The Island of Toronto is located south of downtown Toronto. The island is de facto a chain of small islands united by pathways and bridges. The Toronto Islands are located just offshore from the city centre.
The greatest, outermost island, called Centre Island, is semicircular and forms the shoreline of both the Eastern and Western Channels. Algonquin (Sunfish Island) and Olympic are some of the other major islands.
To get to the islands it is possible to take a private water taxi or use the ferry service which is operated by the City of Toronto.
It can be a frazzle round trip across the island. Transport your own bike across the ferry or rent one. Canoes, kayaks and paddle boats can also be rented on the island.
The island state is considered to be the biggest urban car-free community in North America. There is much grassland that is ideal for picnics and BBQ. The beaches are great in the summer some received the Blue Flag designation.
What is ordinarily called Ward's Island is really the eastern end of Center Island and like Algonquin is a residential area. Under the terms of the Toronto Islands Residential Community Stewardship Act there are strict criterion under provincial law governing the buying and selling of the homes.