Cottages For Sale in Lake Erie Shore
Cottages and lake homes along Ontario's south coast, from Crystal Beach and Port Dover west to Long Point, Port Stanley, Rondeau, Pelee Island and the Lake St. Clair shore.
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Towns and townships in Lake Erie Shore
Buying a cottage in Lake Erie Shore
The Lake Erie shore is the north side of the southernmost Great Lake. It runs from Fort Erie on the Niagara River west through Haldimand, Norfolk, Elgin and Chatham-Kent to Essex County and the mouth of the Detroit River. This page also takes in the Ontario side of Lake St. Clair. The land behind the shore is farm country, and the coast is a chain of small port towns, sand spits and beaches.
Lake Erie is the shallowest and warmest of the Great Lakes, so the swimming season is long. Buyers find beach cottages in places like Crystal Beach, Long Beach, Turkey Point and Long Point, in-town homes in ports such as Port Dover and Port Stanley, and bluff-top lots in Elgin County. Sheltered water at Long Point Bay and Rondeau Bay suits smaller boats. Fishing for walleye and perch is a big part of life in every harbour.
Nearly all property here is reached by road and can be used all year. The exception is Pelee Island, which relies on a seasonal ferry and winter flights. Shoreline risk is the main thing to study. Parts of the coast are eroding clay bluff, and low sand areas can flood in storms. Conservation authorities regulate building near the water. Some cottages, including those inside Rondeau Provincial Park, sit on leased land, so confirm what is being sold.
Getting there: About 1.5 to 4 hours from Toronto, depending on the port.
- Warm shallow water
- Long Point
- Port Dover
- Crystal Beach
- Point Pelee
- Walleye and perch fishing
Lake Erie Shore questions
How far is the Lake Erie shore from Toronto?
It depends on where you are going. Crystal Beach, Dunnville and Port Dover are about 1.5 to 2 hours from downtown Toronto in normal traffic. Port Stanley is about 2 to 2.5 hours. Erieau and Rondeau are about 3 to 3.5 hours, and Kingsville and Leamington about 3.5 to 4 hours.
Is Lake Erie good for swimming?
Yes. Lake Erie is the shallowest of the Great Lakes, with an average depth of about 19 metres, so it warms up earlier and stays warm longer than the others. Many beaches are sandy with a gradual slope. Water quality can vary through the summer, so check local beach postings before you swim.
Do you own the land with a cottage on Lake Erie?
Usually, but not always. Most cottages are sold as freehold. Some are on leased land, such as the private cottages inside Rondeau Provincial Park, and some are in seasonal parks or shared-ownership communities. Always confirm the type of ownership, any lease terms and the months you are allowed to use the property.
How do you get to Pelee Island?
By ferry for most of the year. The boats sail from Leamington in spring and early summer and from Kingsville later in the season. When the ferries stop for winter, a scheduled flight from Windsor is the practical way on and off. Anyone buying there should plan around that schedule.
Lakes in Lake Erie Shore
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Shop Lake Erie Shore by type & budget
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- Cottages with a Sandy Beach
- Cottages with a Bunkie
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- Under $500,000
- Under $750,000
- Under $1 Million
- Under $2 Million
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