Full Circle Sail

The perfect round trip: that's how recreational sailors and boaters describe an extended marine tour of Lake Ontario. Right around the Lake, from Canadian north shore to American south shore and back again, there is a continuous network of safe harbours, well-equipped marinas and on-shore amenities.

North Shore Tour: On the north shore, a sail or cruise between the Oakville-Toronto area to Kingston, at the eastern end of the Lake, is a popular summertime holiday. Hardy sailors can make the trip in 2 days; more leisurely sightseers will spend up to 5 days calling in at lakeside ports such as Picton, Belleville, Quinte West, Brighton, Cobourg, Port Hope, Port Darlington, Newcastle, Whitby, Frenchman's Bay and Bluffer's Park (Scarborough). Some marinas, such as the municipal Cobourg Marina, offer shower and laundry facilities and fish cleaning areas.

Downtown Docking: In Kingston, Ontario, where the Rideau River and the Lake flow into the St. Lawrence River, boaters can dock in the Flora MacDonald Confederation Basin, at the foot of the city's landmark City Hall. Kingston's harbour is one of the most vibrant on Lake Ontario, with cafés, restaurants, specialty stores, clubs, major hotels and tourist attractions just steps away. Replenish your galley supplies at the Farmer's Market, located behind City Hall, or at the city's noted gourmet food shops. The harbour's marina offers transient mooring: book your docking slip in advance. Marina services include washrooms and showers, laundry facilities, electrical and water connections and security and emergency services.

In the Heart of Harbourfront: Docking on the doorstep of Canada's largest city is likely to be one of your most thrilling boating experiences. At Harbourfront Centre, in the heart of downtown Toronto, your choice of berthing facility will be largely determined by the size of your vessel. Marina 4 is located in the centre of Toronto waterfront action, but operates on a first-come, first-serve basis. Reservations are accepted at Marina Quay West, near Toronto Harbour's western gap, SkyDome, Chinatown and grounds of the Canadian National Exhibition. It is also right next door to the serene Toronto Music Garden, a unique lakefront landscape interpretation of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. For short hourly visits, or overnight docking of larger motor and sailing yachts (14 -60 metres in length), choose the John Quay the seawall portion of Marina 4.