The summer season is the highlight of Crystal Beach with Bay Beach being rated one of the top beaches in Ontario. Bay Beach is the main draw to the area.

The beach is located west of the former Village of Crystal Beach. Many of the summer homes in Bay Beach were built in the late 1890s and a large enclave of cottages built in the 1940s.

In 1926, John E. Rebstock opened a public beach on land west of Crystal Beach Park called Bay Beach Park. It contained rental units, a restaurant called The Lobster House, a snack bar, and a dance hall.

Bay Beach was a part of Bertie Township.