From Whitby west to Frenchman's Bay is a distance of 4.5 miles.

To the west of the harbor you will see the arched roofs of the Ontario Mental Health center with the abandoned old complex immediately inland.

West of Whitby the coastline is low clay banks rising to a height of 50 feet, 4 miles WSW of Whitby. 2.8 miles west of Whitby is Richardson Point ( 43° 50' N, 78°59' W) which is only 16 feet high and wooded. Pickering Beach is just west of Richardson Point with summer cottages along the shoreline.

Approaching Frenchman's Bay from the east you can not miss the huge wind generator that now dwarfs the 8 containment domes of the now (temporarily) closed Pickering nuclear Generating Station complex are easily visible to the east at Moore Point.

The complex is conspicuous with it's 285 foot tall cylindrical vacuum tower with a radio tower mounted atop with air obstruction lights. There is a microwave tower located 0.2 miles north of the plant also with air obstruction lights.

Frenchman's Bay Lights. Frenchman's Bay entrance light (506) is located on a crib to the east side of the outer end of the entrance with an elevation of 25 feet, at the west entrance, light (506.5) is located on a crib with an elevation of 25 feet in a white circular tower with green upper part on the crib standing 16 feet high. A submerged power cable crosses the entrance of the bay.

In the extreme SE corner of the bay you find Swans Marina (4) where the rescue vessel was recently berthed. B&H Mobile Marine Service has a dock at the East Shore Marina and does all kinds of engine repairs and carries an extensive parts inventory.Genco Marine Chandlery also operates a store in the East Shore Marina.

Frenchman's Bay, located near Pickering, with it's shallow harbour is a popular area for pleasure craft .
Apart from the large shopping area of Pickering Town Centre,nearby, there is little else to do within walking distance of the harbour. It is possible, however, to enjoy the scenery of the surrounding countryside, by taking either a dinghy around the shore or by walking the trails.
Local buses run from the harbour to Pickering, about ½ an hour away on foot. But there is a Bank, convenience store and laundromat about a ¼ of a mile from the marinas on Liverpool Road.
An interesting place to eat is the restored Liverpool House, a 10 minute bus ride away at Liverpool and Hwy 2 ,the dining room is formal, the dress code smart casual. In the same area on Hwy 2 Kingston Rd. are several other restaurants to suit all tastes, from the usual fast-food type to those specializing in Pastas, casual Italian and salads.

Frenchman's Bay is located 16 miles NE of Toronto and 1.3 miles WNW of Moore Point. The bay is well sheltered, though shallow and is protected from the lake by Fairport Beach which is a low sand bar lying across the western portion of the bay on the south side. The entrance channel to Frenchman's Bay is said to be 100 feet wide and is dredged periodically to maintain a depth of 8 feet. Caution is advised as when water levels are high or when there are storm waves since the boulder break walls my be underwater or obscured. At high water times privately maintained buoys are deployed to mark the entrance.

There are many new things are happening on the east side of Frenchman's Bay. There is still occasional wreckage and construction but improving all the time.

Several construction barges will be found after entering the harbor to the north, where the ruins of an abandoned marina are awaiting reconstruction.

We would like to thank Maggie of UK Sailmakers for this update. For 2002 Facilities within the harbor.

Deletions are : Port Pickering Marine no longer exists. This site is now owned by the City of Pickering and is slated to be a park. Winston's Mobile Marine Service who was located here is now is now four kilometers away at Bayley and Brock in Pickering.

Now, before I make the harbour sound too bad let me say that it is close to Toronto and in spite of the closing of the plant I doubt that we will see and Chernobal here. It is somewhat outside of the Greater Toronto area and is one of the closest options for full time live aboards. A place you can get on with it and not be driven crazy. East Shore Marina has gone out of their way to provide facilities for live aboards with a live aboard lounge and for the buck it is well worth consideration as either a stop or a place to finish your vessel to head out.

Pickering Yacht Club is located at East Shore Marina, and this year celebrates its 25th anniversary. We understand that there are approximately 20 berths some of which are available to recipicoating clubs. Facilities will be the same as East Shore Marina, you would check in at the main office or travel lift.

Genco Marine Chandelery located in East Shore Marina. All Ontario Marine Services located in East Shore Marina Nautically Yours, Maggie offers sail and canvas repair service. Located at Liverpool Road and Old Orchard, a six minute walk north of East Shore Marina.

For those needing to get ashore and relax there is Waterfront Restaurant located at Swans Marina, offering fine dining,or a few blocks away Bravehearts Tavern and Masseys Restaurant are also located at Liverpool Road and Old Orchard.

NE of Richardson Point 0.6 miles there are seven conspicuous radio towers with air obstruction lights. Moore Point lies 1.8 miles WSW of Richardson Point, then Duffins Creek enters the lake followed by and Simcoe Point 3.2 miles WSW of Richardson Point.

Obstructions between the points. Caution is advised in this area as shoal water extends offshore 0.4 miles between the points of land. A submerged water intake extending 0.4 miles offshore is found 1 mile WSW of Richardson Point with at a depth of 30 feet. 2.7 miles WSW of Richardson point is a submerged sewer out fall marked with a privately maintained buoy.

There are two stone Groynes, part of the Generating Station Complex 0.15 miles long and 250 feet apart extending offshore to the East of Frenchman's Bay 0.7 miles, . Anchorage or entry in this area is PROHIBITED. There area privately maintained lights on 33 foot high skeleton masts on the outer ends of the groynes while the groynes are flood lit.

The Pickering Ajax Rescue Unit had a rescue launch located at Frenchman's Bay and monitor the radio.