Sunrise, sunset, golden hour and daylight hours for Toronto, Ontario
Best Places to Watch Sunrise & Sunset in Toronto
Toronto sits on the north shore of Lake Ontario, which splits the city's best viewing spots along a similar line to other lakefront and harbour cities: the open lake shoreline to the south and east — the Scarborough Bluffs, Humber Bay Park, Cherry Beach — faces out over the water and catches the sun coming up, while spots that look back toward the downtown skyline across the harbour, like the Toronto Islands, Riverdale Park, and Trillium Park, are the classic sunset locations, with the CN Tower as the backdrop. Toronto observes Eastern Time (EST/EDT), and — like most of the Northern Hemisphere — its earliest sunset and latest sunrise don't actually land on the December solstice: the earliest sunset falls around December 9, while the latest sunrise doesn't arrive until early January, an equation-of-time effect rather than an error in the calendar.
Scarborough Bluffs – Bluffer's Park & Cudia Park Sunrise
A roughly 15-kilometre escarpment along Lake Ontario, rising up to about 90 metres above the shoreline. Bluffer's Park Beach gives a sunrise straight over the water and marina; Cudia Park, on top of the bluffs, gives a wider elevated view. The cliff edges are unstable and prone to erosion and collapse, so stay behind fencing and off closed sections. Nearest transit: TTC bus 12 from Kennedy or Victoria Park subway stations to Kingston Rd/Brimley Rd, then walk down; a seasonal weekend bus (201 Bluffer's Park) also runs from Kennedy Station in warmer months, though usually starting around 8am, after sunrise for much of the year.
Humber Bay Park West Sunrise
Beside the Humber Bay Arch Bridge at the mouth of the Humber River, this waterfront park gives views across the lake, the bay, and back toward the downtown skyline at an angle that works well for sunrise. Nearest transit: Old Mill subway station (Line 2), then Bus 66B to Lake Shore Blvd West.
Cherry Beach Sunrise
A quieter beach in the Port Lands, south of downtown, with an open view across the harbour and lake. Nearest transit: King streetcar to Cherry St, or the seasonal TTC 202 Cherry Beach bus from St. Andrew Station — service typically starts around 9am, so it won't help for an early sunrise outside of summer; walking or driving is the more reliable option before then.
Toronto Islands – Centre Island & Ward's Island Sunset
A short ferry ride from downtown, the islands give an unobstructed, classic view of the Toronto skyline and CN Tower across the harbour — widely considered the city's best skyline sunset. Ward's Island tends to be quieter than Centre Island. Ferries leave from the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal at the foot of Bay Street, about a 15-minute walk from Union Station; check the current seasonal ferry schedule before you go, since frequency and the last return sailing both change through the year.
Riverdale Park East Sunset
A sloped hill on the east side of the Don Valley with an unobstructed, elevated view of the downtown skyline as the sun sets behind the buildings — regularly named one of the city's best sunset spots. Nearest transit: Broadview subway station (Line 2), then a streetcar south or about a 5-minute walk.
Trillium Park – Ontario Place Sunset
A 7.5-acre waterfront park built for the 2017 revitalization of Ontario Place, with trails along the lake and views back toward the skyline. It also has a reservable fire pit for cooler-weather evenings. Nearest transit: the 509 Harbourfront streetcar from Union Station toward Exhibition Loop, then a short walk to the park's east entrance.
Best Times for Sun Photography
Quick Photography Tips
Your Toronto Sunrise & Sunset Checklist
Before You Go
- Check today's exact sunrise/sunset times above, and confirm whether you're on EST or EDT for the date you're planning
- Seasonal TTC routes like 201 Bluffer's Park and 202 Cherry Beach don't run year-round and typically start service mid-morning, so an early sunrise trip usually means driving, cycling, or a rideshare instead
- For a Toronto Islands sunset, check the current ferry schedule — frequency and the last return sailing both change by season, and you don't want to miss the last boat back
- At the Scarborough Bluffs, stay behind fencing and off closed trail sections — the cliffs are actively eroding and can collapse without warning
What to Bring
- Sturdy tripod — open lakefront spots on this list can be windy
- A longer lens for skyline-compression shots from the Islands or Riverdale Park; a wide-angle for the Bluffs or Cherry Beach
- Layers, especially from fall through spring — lakefront spots run noticeably colder than inland Toronto
- A PRESTO card or contactless payment ready — most of these spots are reachable by subway, streetcar, bus, or ferry, and parking is limited at several, especially the Bluffs and Humber Bay Park on weekends
On the Morning or Night
- Arrive 30–45 minutes before sunrise or sunset to give yourself time to find a position and set up
- Shoot RAW and bracket exposures to hold detail in both the sun and the water or skyline
- At Riverdale Park East, the higher ground near Broadview Avenue gives the widest unobstructed view of the skyline — check your composition before the light peaks
- At the Toronto Islands, budget extra time for the ferry line in both directions, especially in summer