Canada as a whole, and Ontario in particular, is blessed with an abundance of freshwater lakes and rivers. Canada contains 20% of the world’s freshwater, and its abundant supply has been ingrained in Canadians’ way of life, livelihood, and culture. Spend even a day on Ontario’s rivers and you’ll see why they’re so fortunate to live there. It’s basically a gift that should not be taken for granted. In this article, I will list the best boating destinations that every boater should visit if they want to see more of what Ontario’s water has to offer. Keep reading!

St. Lawrence and the 1000 Islands

Thousands of boaters visit the famous region each season because it is not similar to the Canadian waterways. Those who chart a path here will find scattered islands, lonely anchorages, vast open cruising, and historic, shore-side towns. Don’t miss Thousand Islands National Park’s public docks, which are accessible for full-season or overnight stays. The park encompasses all or portions of 21 islands, around 90 islets that are scattered between Kingston and Brockville. Also, Mallorytown Landing, a mainland base. Visitors to this location will find interpretive boards and hiking trails.

If you want to stay in Canadian waters after leaving Kingston, you can take the Canadian Middle Channel. Like this, you will avoid local boat traffic near marinas and settlements along the way. The Bateau Channel, however, is the most scenic route after leaving Kingston. It runs along the north shore, nearby marinas, and picturesque towns, and it’s protected from the prevailing southwest winds.

The Great Lakes

Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario make constitute the world’s greatest freshwater paradise, therefore the name is appropriate. With their huge spans and windswept coasts, some, like Superior and Erie, are similar to ocean sailing. Others, such as Huron and Ontario, have more tranquil shores and a maze of islands to discover. Hot places throughout the Great Lakes provide some of Canada’s best fishing. And, there’s no shortage of historical ports, picturesque tours, or routes to discover what they have to offer. Whether you’re a weekend sailor or an off-shore cruiser looking to spend a day or the summer on ocean-like water, boating the Great Lakes gives you a sense of how huge and lovely Canada’s freshwater lakes can be.

Muskoka and the Haliburton Highlands

A journey to the Muskokas and the Haliburton Highlands can turn an average vacation into a once-in-a-lifetime event. Whether you wish to gaze at magnificent sunsets, cruise through crystal blue waterways, or dine and dance in one of the area’s vibrant communities. With innumerable inland lakes, glittering rivers, and flowing waterfalls, it is one of the most popular villages. Peninsula Lake, along with three other lakes – including the second largest, Lake of Bays – is located just east of Huntsville. It has more than 550 kilometers of sandy shoreline and unspoiled natural beauty.

The Muskokas are easy to fall in love with. The region stretches along Highway 11 to a number of lakes and rivers. All of them are easily accessible from Kilworthy, the territory’s southernmost point. Bracebridge, atop a hill overlooking roaring waterfalls and both forks of the Muskoka River, is also accessible by Highway 11. With 22 falls lining the town’s roadways and trails, Bracebridge is recognized as Canada’s waterfall capital. The Festival of the Falls is held in May to commemorate the community’s natural heritage.

The 30,000 Islands – Georgian Bay

The 30,000 Islands are a utopia situated within Georgian Bay on Lake Huron’s northern coast. They form a magnificent portion of the greater Lake Huron. Whether you’re a sailor, cruiser, fisherman, or somewhere in between, there’s plenty to do on the water. The North Channel and Georgian Bay are rugged. However, the area is well-marked and caters to boaters all along the way. A stop at Frying Pan Island is a terrific way to start your cruise. And, you can expand from there if you want to go deeper into the bay. There are several provincial parks, harbors, marinas, and historical sites throughout Ontario that allow you to spend the entire summer discovering the heart of the 30,000 islands.

Georgian Bay, commonly referred to as the sixth Great Lake because of its immensity, inspires true sailors with its breathtaking landscape, over 30,000 islands, and tunnels. It is 15,000 square kilometers in size and has countless nooks and crannies to explore. Picnics, birdwatching, camping, geocaching, photography, and hiking are just a few of the activities available. Note that Giant’s Tomb, near Penetanguishene, and Midland are two notable spots of Georgian Bay for passionate boaters.

Morson

Morson is a place “at the end of the road” and it is surrounded by relatively unspoiled shorelines and islands. Travelers can see much of the same beauty that the first explorers witnessed when they discovered this island-studded jewel in the continent’s heart. Morson and Bergland are located on the south-eastern side of Lake of the Woods, only 35 miles north of the Canada-US border. Morson is situated in Lake of the Woods’ “island belt,” which provides unrivaled fishing opportunities; the rocky coastlines, marshy inlets, and innumerable sandy bays provide a one-stop-shop for walleye, smallmouth, and largemouth bass. The islands are also a terrific area to locate a stretch of sandy beach. There, you will relax and enjoy the warm sand, refreshing sea, and frequently the privacy of your own private beach for the day. Make sure you have your camera handy so you can get the greatest shot possible!

Lake of the Woods

The Lake of the Woods is a collection of about 14,600 islands with a shoreline of 65,000 miles, and a length surpassing Lake Superior. It’s Ontario’s second-largest inland lake, and it shares borders with Manitoba and Minnesota. Two-thirds of the water is contained inside the province of Ontario, which covers 1,465 square miles. The lake is 1.5 million acres in size and borders communities, small towns, and pure wilderness. Regardless of your skill level or desire for adventure, Lake of the Woods is a great lake for a cruise. Throughout the spring, summer, and autumn, you can enjoy diverse weather, gorgeous views, and a variety of species.

Lake Simcoe

Lake Simcoe has a lot to offer boaters in central Ontario. It is approximately an hour from Toronto and connected to the larger Trent-Severn Waterway. You can stay on Simcoe and sail on the beautiful lake, or you can explore one of its waterways and extend your voyage. Simcoe has a bit of everything, with a cottage country vibe mixed up with boater’s havens strewn about. There are beautiful port towns that cater to local boaters or those traveling through the Trent-Severn on longer excursions. Note that Lake Couchiching, which is connected to the Trent-Severn, boasts some of the purest and warmest water in Ontario.

The Kawartha Lakes

With a network of locks and canals connecting lakes and rivers to the Great Lakes and beyond, Peterborough and the Kawarthas, are at the heart of the Trent-Severn Waterway. And, this is why they provide some of the best inland boating in the world. You can sail the canals in sections, traveling from one location to the next, or in their whole over the course of a week or two. Small boats will find plenty of hotels along the trip, and cruisers will find overnight docking at the 45 locks.

Anglers hunting for their catch of the day, sightseers out for a day, wakeboarders behind a ski boat, and powerboaters and cruisers on a week-long trip will appreciate the Kawartha waters. You will find art galleries, museums, and other historical attractions along the Trent-Severn system’s lakes and rivers. And, this is because the waterway passes through numerous towns and localities. Note that there are approximately 130,000 watercraft that pass through the system each year.

Ottawa River

The Ottawa River isn’t only a destination for boaters; it’s also a place to explore on land and water, thanks to its proximity to the nation’s capital. Along its borders, there are sandy beaches and family entertainment, while the river itself offers some of Canada’s best cruising. On Lower Ottawa, you can go from Canada’s capital in the west to Montreal in the east and into the Upper Ottawa by passing through the Carillion lock. If you keep going east, you’ll reach the St. Lawrence River and its 1000 Islands. The Rideau Canal awaits you if you go west from Ottawa. As it reaches St. Lawrence, where Lake of Two Mountains and Lake Saint-Louis is located, the lower Ottawa widens, allowing for even more exploration inside its bounds. The Ottawa River is a Canadian showpiece for a touch of culture along Canada’s most historically significant waterway.

The Rideau Canal

The Rideau Canal & Waterway is located west of the Ottawa River and spans more than 200 kilometers with 45 locks. You can boat to the foot of Parliament Hill from the river that runs through Canada’s capital city. From there, you may immerse yourself in the city’s endless cuisine and entertainment options. The Rideau Canal, like many of Canada’s interior rivers, is rich in history. Firstly, it’s Canada’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. And, like the adjoining Trent-Severn waterway, it lines with historical structures and museums. If at all feasible, plan your vacation so that you may see the Rideau Canal from both a boater’s and a tourist’s perspective.

The Trent-Severn Waterway

The Trent-Severn Waterway is a scenic route through central Ontario for adventurers. It connects Lake Ontario and Lake Huron via 44 locks and gives boaters the opportunity to go almost anywhere. Big Chute at Lock 44 is one of the nicest stops. There, your boat will be lifted out of the water by a railway and transported 80 feet overland to connect you from Georgian Bay to the Severn River. The Trent-Severn has a rich history, which will be evident at every visit thanks to numerous art galleries, museums, and historical monuments. On the Trent-Severn, there is so much to see and do for a boater that it’s best to plan beforehand.

Lake Nipissing, North Bay

Northern Ontarians are well aware of Lake Nipissing’s grandeur, but it’s well worth the visit north for southerners. You may access one of Ontario’s largest lakes by going to North Bay and using one of the city’s many public launches. It is a massive body of water that connects to Georgian Bay in the west via the historic French River. It offers a plethora of interesting stops along its beaches. Callandar, in the southeast, boasts one of Ontario’s most underappreciated beaches. Also, North Bay Marina, on the city’s coastline, is a full-service marina for boaters. When the weather flips, Nipissing can be dangerous, so treat it like the Great Lakes, but visit during the summer and you’ll be surprised at what northern Ontario has to offer.