Where to go boating in Ontario

The Great Lakes

With Lakes Superior, Huron, Erie and Ontario forming the largest grouping of freshwater lakes in the world, the Great Lakes are a top boating destination in Ontario. This is area encompasses a wide variety of types of boating.

The Great Lakes offer Ontario’s closest approximation to ocean boating and can be even more challenging at times—Lake Superior, for example, is best suited to larger cabin cruisers and yachts. Yet with a little planning, even smaller boats can safely navigate the majestic shorelines and enjoy the variety of ports to visit. For big water, diverse scenery and the best choice of marina stops, the Great Lakes are hard to beat.

The Muskoka Lakes

A visit to Muskoka is all about the beauty of its granite-lined waterways and the spectacular summer homes and resorts that dot the shoreline.

Launch your boat at one of the free town ramps, rent from a local marina or book a day cruise on the Segwun the oldest operating passenger steamship in North America.

Spend a few nights at one of the classic Muskoka resorts and enjoy the crystal-clear waters and scenic shorelines.

Boaters will find services and rentals across the three main lakes—Lake Muskoka, Lake Rosseau and Lake Joseph. Port Carling, known as the “Hub of the Muskokas,” sits at the centre of all three lakes and offers a charming waterfront, local restaurants and provisioning stops.

Gravenhurst Wharf is the home port of the RMS Segwun and Wenonah II and a convenient base for exploring Lake Muskoka.

For boat rentals in the area, contact Muskoka Boat Rentals, based in Bracebridge.

The Trent-Severn Waterway

Once you’ve travelled the Trent-Severn Waterway once, you’ll want to do it again.

Travel one portion at a time or make it a week-long holiday. There are several of hotels and bed and breakfasts for small boaters. For cruisers, overnight docking can be arranged at each of the 45 locks.

As a boater you will not only see amazing, world-class nautical equipment, you’ll become part of it. Two giant lift locks and the spectacular marine railway will thrill everyone on board.

As you boat by towns, communities, lakes and rivers the waterway crosses, you’ll find want to stop and explore local attractions, including art galleries, museums and historical sites. Over 120,000 boaters travel the Trent-Severn annually.

The charming town of Bobcaygeon is a popular boating stop mid-route, with waterfront restaurants, shops and marina services. Fenelon Falls is another favourite, known for its lock, local dining and easy walking distance from the dock to village amenities.

The waterway is managed by Parks Canada. Plan your trip on the Trent-Severn Waterway.

The Rideau Canal

Relive a historical journey, by boat. Opened in 1832 as an alternative military route between Lake Ontario and the city of Ottawa, the Rideau Canal is Ontario’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.

With 45 locks at 27 lock stations, this 202-kilometre, well-marked waterway is the oldest continuously operated canal in North America. Unlike open water boating, this trip offers interest at every turn, beginning at Old Fort Henry in Kingston and ending at the stepped locks that lead to Canada’s parliament buildings in Ottawa.

The village of Merrickville is a popular midway stop along the Rideau, with boutique shops, heritage architecture and good food within easy walking distance of the lock.

Plan for an overnight stay in Smiths Falls or Perth to break the journey and sample local dining and culture.

The Rideau Canal is managed by Parks Canada. Plan your Rideau Canal boating trip.

Lake Nipissing and the French River

Take an easy drive to the City of North Bay, where you can provision your boat. Following a relaxing swim at a downtown beach, launch at the city marina for an interesting tour around Lake Nipissing. Travel the shoreline and stop on one of the Manitou Islands for a stress-free holiday.

Lake Nipissing and the surrounding region contain hundreds of smaller lakes that make it an angler’s ideal destination. Regulations, licences and lake access routes are readily available, and local fishing guides can point you toward the best lakes for specific species. If fishing from the water is your passion, this corner of Ontario belongs near the top of your list.

The French River flows southwest from Lake Nipissing to Georgian Bay, passing through French River Provincial Park. Its labyrinthine waterways, dramatic granite shorelines and diverse fishing make it one of Ontario’s most rewarding boating routes. The river is accessible from multiple launch points and is well-suited to smaller motorboats and canoes alike.

Lake of the Woods

Thousands of wilderness islands, world-class fishing and Ontario’s most celebrated sunsets have made Lake of the Woods one of the province’s most beloved boating destinations. Located near the city of Kenora in northwestern Ontario, the lake offers a remote feel that is surprisingly easy to reach.

Rent a houseboat in Kenora to explore the lake from your own floating cottage. Houseboat Adventures  offers houseboat rentals on Lake of the Woods and other nearby waterways, with flexible itineraries for a weekend getaway or a full week on the water.

Kenora’s waterfront is a great base for provisioning, with restaurants, marinas and local services. The lake’s many bays and channels mean there is no shortage of secluded anchorages to find your own private island for the night. Lake of the Woods Discovery Centre in Kenora has a dock for marine visitors and can assist with any local trip planning needs.

The 1,000 Islands and St. Lawrence River

Begin your 1,000 Islands boat trip in Kingston, Gananoque, Brockville or any of the many marinas along the north shore of the St. Lawrence River. While this boating area is called the “1,000 Islands,” there are actually almost twice that many islands within an 80-kilometre section of the river.

Travel to castles, hiking trails, museums, fishing spots, summer events and even a casino. On this route you’ll boat on open water alongside large commercial ships, yet you’ll always be close to shore.

Lake Simcoe

Located less than one hour from Toronto, Lake Simcoe is one of Ontario’s most accessible boating destinations. Thousands of cottages and homes dot the Simcoe shoreline, and the cities of Barrie and Orillia both offer safe moorage and plenty of daily activities.

Jackson’s Point on the lake’s south shore is a charming boater-friendly community with a public harbour, waterfront dining and easy access to the southern basin.

Wakeboarding and tubing are popular in the calm waters of Cook’s Bay.

The Ottawa River

Heading north from Ottawa, the Ottawa River offers a casual cruising opportunity with sandy beaches and family entertainment. Heading downriver from Ottawa through the Carillon lock delivers a pleasant cruise all the way to Montréal. Because it’s a river, you don’t have to worry about getting lost.

The river’s upper section—from Pembroke west toward Deep River—is popular with anglers and families looking for quieter, less-travelled water. The town of Arnprior, where the Madawaska meets the Ottawa River, is a practical service stop with marina access and waterfront dining.

30,000 Islands, Georgian Bay

Ask any experienced boater in Ontario if they have cruised Georgian Bay and they will answer by describing the magnificent scenery on their journey through endless islands and passageways in the North Channel. Yes, there are rocks, and you will need to pay attention to your charts, but Georgian Bay is exceptionally well-marked, so grounding should not be a worry.

Choose a launch location and spend as much time as you want in the natural beauty of the islands. Ontario Parks are plentiful, offering places to dock or anchor for the night. Campsites are also available.

Parry Sound is the region’s main service hub, with full marina facilities, fuel, provisioning and waterfront dining. The 30,000 Islands Cruise aboard the Island Queen is a classic way to get an overview of Georgian Bay before venturing out on your own.

Killbear Provincial Park offers excellent anchorage with moorings, campsites and hiking trails accessed by boat or car.

Know before you go

Ontario boating season

The Ontario boating season generally runs from late May through early October. Colder water and unpredictable weather in spring and fall mean it is safest to navigate the Great Lakes and other larger Ontario bodies of water in July and August.

Where to rent a boat in Ontario

There is a wide variety of Ontario boat rentals and boating experiences available across the province.

Houseboats are a popular option on large bodies of water including Lake of the Woods, Temagami and the Kawartha Lakes. Ontario houseboat rentals often include a smaller aluminum boat so you can go fishing and take day trips from a floating base camp.

Lodges in Northern Ontario rent well-equipped fishing boats for more experienced boaters and anglers to enjoy a self-guided day on the water. Less experienced guests can hire a guide and benefit from local knowledge when finding fishing hotspots and the best scenery.

Pontoon boats offer safe and stable platforms for family outings, and multiple sizes and options are available at Ontario marinas in popular cottage areas like Muskoka and the Kawartha Lakes. Most Ontario boating destinations also offer personal watercraft rentals.

Ski, tow and wakeboat rentals are more limited, though enthusiasts will find options at several locations in central Ontario, including Muskoka and Lake Simcoe.

To rent a boat in Ontario you are required to complete a proof of competency. A Pleasure Craft Operator’s Card is recommended but not required to operate a rental boat.

Find out where to rent a boat in Ontario.

Services and amenities at Ontario marinas

In Ontario, you will find marinas wherever there is water. Services vary and may include fuel, pump-outs, showers, boat and engine service, rentals and more, in addition to docking, boat launches and parking.

Municipal and provincial boat launches are available on bodies of water across Ontario. These sites are often marked by highway signs and include ramps and parking. Some also feature docking, fuel and washroom facilities. Find a marina using Marinas.com.

Boating regulations, safety and licences

Pleasure Craft Operator’s Card

To drive a motor-powered boat in Ontario you need a Pleasure Craft Operator’s Card (PCOC)—unless you are renting, in which case a rental boat safety checklist and formal rental agreement apply instead. The PCOC is recommended for all boaters and provides crucial knowledge including basic boating skills, weather awareness, navigation and how to deal with emergencies such as capsizing.

Learn more about getting your PCOC.

Training and testing can be completed online. Fines for operating a motor-powered boat without a licence start at $200.

Boating regulations

All boaters must adhere to the Canadian Coast Guard’s Small Vessel Regulations.

Depending on the size of vessel, requirements include personal flotation devices, vessel safety equipment (such as oars and anchors), visual signals (including flares), navigation equipment and fire-fighting equipment.

Review Transport Canada’s boating safety requirements.

Fishing licence

Ontario fishing licences are available for residents, Canadian non-residents and international visitors. Single-day, eight-day and annual licences are available, with Sport and Conservation options.

Get your Ontario fishing licence online.

Whether you’re setting out on your first family outing on Lake Simcoe, locking through the historic Rideau Canal or navigating the wild beauty of Georgian Bay’s 30,000 Islands, Ontario’s waterways reward every type of boater.