I’ve toured the waterways of Ontario, Canada extensively on my Sea-Doo watercraft for many years, but I’m still working on cruising all of them. Of the many I’ve already discovered, it’s not easy to pick a top ten. So I’ve applied some basic criteria such as accessibility, good launch, decent parking & services and available fuel. Most are already popular boating routes that are marked with navigation buoys, charted, within cell service and have enough towns, traffic and cottages that help is usually nearby if needed. With a couple of noted exceptions, most are also relatively sheltered routes where strong winds and big waves are normally less prevalent. Generally, this list is set up from least sheltered (10) to most sheltered (1), while the distances are approximate depending on how much exploring you do, so get out there and enjoy!
10. Trenton to Kingston
Round Trip Distance – 226 km
Highway Access: 401 exit 522
Water body(s): Bay of Quinte, inner channel of Lake Ontario
Launch(s): Centennial Park, Trenton
Lunch: Street vendors, Confederation Basin, Kingston
Fuel: Glenora Marina, Picton; Portsmouth Olympic Harbour, Kingston
Locks: none
Side Trip(s): Picton, Napanee
Sea-Doo Dealer(s): Bay Marine, Trenton; Cartronics, Napanee.
More Info: Southeastern Ontario Tourism
9. Penetanguishene to Parry Sound
Round Trip Distance – 180 km
Highway Access: 93
Water body(s): Severn Sound, inner channel of Georgian Bay
Launch(s): Public launch, Penetanguishene
Lunch: Henry’s Fish House, Frying Pan Island, Sans Souci
Fuel: Nautilus Marina (Honey Harbour); Henry’s; Parry Sound (various)
Locks: none
Side Trip(s): 12 Mile Bay
Sea-Doo Dealer(s): Factory Recreation, Midland; The Cove, MacTier.
More Info: BruceGreySimcoe Tourism; Muskoka Parry Sound Tourism
8. Parry Sound to Pointe au Baril
Round Trip Distance – 120 km
Highway Access: 400 exit 224
Water body(s): inner channel of Georgian Bay
Launch(s): Glen Burney Marina, Parry Sound
Lunch: Ojibway Club, Ojibway Island
Fuel: Ojibway Club; Pointe au Baril (various)
Locks: none
Side Trip(s): ride around Parry Island
Sea-Doo Dealer(s): The Cove, MacTier
More Info: Muskoka Parry Sound Tourism
7. Kingston to Morrisburg
Round Trip Distance – 260 km
Highway Access: 401 exit 615
Water body(s): St. Lawrence River
Launch(s): Public launch at foot of West St (3), Kingston
Lunch: Chrysler Park Marina, Morrisburg
Fuel: Gordon Marine, Gananoque; Ed Huck Marina, Rockport; Brockville harbour. Chrysler Park Marina, Morrisburg.
Locks: none
Side Trip(s): 1000 Islands, Boldt & Singer Castles
Sea-Doo Dealer(s): Ed Huck Marine, Rockport; Jim’s Performance Plus, Iroquois.
More Info: video; Southeastern Ontario Tourism
6. Kawartha Lakes
Round Trip Distance – 150 km
Highway Access: 28
Water body(s): Lovesick, Buckhorn, Pigeon, Sturgeon and Chemong Lakes
Launch(s): Public launch, Burleigh Falls beside Lock 28
Lunch: Bobcaygeon Inn (dock in front)
Fuel: Bobcaygeon (various); Wychwood Lodge Cottage Resort, Fenelon Falls; various marinas en route.
Locks: Lovesick, Buckhorn, Bobcaygeon
Side Trip(s): Big Bald Lake, Scugog River to Lindsay
Sea-Doo Dealer(s): Gateway Powersports & Marine, Peterborough; HB Cycle, Lindsay.
More Info: Kawarthas Tourism
5. Muskoka Lakes
Round Trip Distance – 200 km
Highway Access: 11
Water body(s): Lakes Muskoka, Rousseau and Joseph
Launch(s): Muskoka Wharf, Gravenhurst
Lunch: Crossroads Pub & Grill, Rosseau (public docks)
Fuel: Port Carling (various), Rosseau (marina), Bala (marina), Port Sandfield (marina)
Locks: Port Carling
Side Trip(s): Little Lake Joseph
Sea-Doo Dealer(s): The Cove, MacTier; Northland Recreation, Utterson.
More Info: video; Muskoka Parry Sound Tourism
4. Pembroke to Mattawa (overnighter)
Round Trip Distance – 300 km
Highway Access: 17
Water body(s): Upper Ottawa River
Launch(s): Pembroke Marina
Lunch: Snacks at convenience store, Rapides-des-Joachims (Swisha)
Fuel: Deep River Marina; Swisha Esso; Mattawa Marina
Transfer: Swisha (reservations)
Side Trip(s): Bird Rock
Sea-Doo Dealer(s): Pete’s Sales & Service, Petawawa.
More Info: Canadian Yachting article; video; Ottawa Valley Tourism
3. Huntsville Area
Round Trip Distance – 70 km
Highway Access: 11
Water body(s): Lakes Vernon, Fairy and Peninsula
Launch(s): Hunter’s Bay Public launch, Huntsville (foot of Yonge St S)
Lunch: The Cottage Waterfront Grill, Huntsville
Fuel: Huntsville Marine, Fairy Lake
Locks: no
Side Trip(s): no
Sea-Doo Dealer(s): The Cove, MacTier; Northland Recreation, Utterson.
More Info: Muskoka Parry Sound Tourism
2. Sparrow Lake to Honey Harbour
Round Trip Distance – 120 km
Highway Access: 11
Water body(s): Severn River, Severn Sound, inner channel of Georgian Bay
Launch(s): Lauderdale Point Marina
Lunch: Harbour House at Nautilus Marina, Honey Harbour or Port Severn (various)
Fuel: Big Chute Marina; Port Severn (various); Honey Harbour (various)
Locks: Swift Rapids, Big Chute
Side Trip(s): Whites Falls at north end of Gloucester Pool
Sea-Doo Dealer(s): St. Onge Recreation, Barrie; Leatherdale Marine, Orillia.
More Info: BruceGreySimcoe Tourism
1. Hastings to Peterborough
Round Trip Distance – 120 km
Highway Access: 45
Water body(s): Trent River, Rice Lake, Otonabee River
Launch(s): Hastings Village Marina
Lunch: Peterborough Marina or Holiday Inn
Fuel: Peterborough Marina; Bensfort Bridge Resort
Locks: Peterborough
Side Trip(s): Trent River east to Healy Falls
Sea-Doo Dealer(s): Gateway Powersports & Marine, Peterborough
More Info: Kawarthas Tourism
By Craig Nicholson, The Intrepid Cottager
