Tucked along the beautiful shore of Lake Erie, Sherkston Shores has grown into one of Ontario’s most cherished family vacation destinations. Part resort, part natural wonderland, and the closest thing to tropical beaches in our area, this gated community spans over 560 acres. With 2.5 miles of sandy beaches, wooded trails, a spring-fed quarry lake, cottages, water slides, mini putt, golf carts, and countless amenities,
there’s truly something for everyone.
But Sherkston wasn’t always the bustling lakeside getaway we know today. In the early 1900s, the site was home to a limestone quarry, operated by the Empire Limestone Company. When mining operations ceased in 1917, the pumps were turned off, and the quarry naturally filled with spring water – creating the beautiful inland lake that remains a centerpiece of the property today.
A local entrepreneur known as “Big Tom” DeSantis, who had run a small store in the nearby quarry village, had the visionary idea to transform the former mining site into a summer retreat. He launched Empire Beach Resort, offering families a place to relax along Lake Erie’s wide, sandy shoreline. After his passing in 1945, the Holman family purchased the property in the late 1940s and carried on his vision, operating it as a family-run resort for decades before selling in 1968.
By the late 1960s, families were already flocking to Sherkston, drawn to its peaceful beaches, shallow waters, and the laughter of children playing along the shore. Those early summers set the stage for Sherkston Shores to evolve beyond its campground roots into the vibrant luxury resort it is today. A major milestone came in 1992 with the opening of a swimming pool and spa complex, bringing resort-style amenities like mini putt, water slides and a splash pad and marking Sherkston’s transformation into a true vacation destination.
Sherkston Shores has even been home to unique events over the years, like a record-breaking “Gulliver’s Travels” sand sculpture built in 1989 using 15,000 tonnes of sand, which brought national attention to its beautiful shoreline.Today, Sherkston Shores is part of a larger North American resort network, continuing to expand and evolve while welcoming families from near and far to enjoy its beautiful beaches and amenities.
Sherkston Shores now offers a blend of natural beauty and modern living, making it a favourite spot for families year after
year. Whether it’s lazy afternoons on the beach, adrenaline-filled water slides, or cozy evenings roasting marshmallows by the campfire, every visit is filled with opportunities to create lasting memories.
If you’ve ever stood on a Sherkston beach at sunset, you know why visitors find it hard to leave. As the horizon glows with vibrant colours and waves lap gently at the shore, families gather to watch Saturday night fireworks, a tradition that feels magical every time.
For our family, these moments, building sandcastles with our boys, watching them racing up and down the enormous sand dunes, seeing their joy as the fireworks reflect in their eyes, and savouring the simple joys of summer, is what draws us back year after year.
From its humble beginnings as a limestone quarry to now a premier family summer destination, Sherkston Shores is a place where laughter, joy, and memories always find a home by the water.