Ashbridges Bay I Outer Harbor I Toronto Island I Downtown I West Gap I Ontario Pl |
Toronto Islands |
Toronto Island island is a City of Toronto Park located a ferry ride away from downtown. It has been popular for years with the people of Toronto and offers an almost rural setting in the heart of a world class city. To reach Toronto Island and its facilities from the mainland one takes the ferry from the foot of Younge Street . The round trip fare is $ 5 for adults, or $ 2 for seniors and sails on average every 15 minutes. Hanlan's Point is at the west end and can be reached directly from the mainland by its own ferry. Hanlan's Point has long been a favorite overnight location for visiting area boaters, visiting with its space for up to 150 boats. Located on the western side of Blockhouse Bay it is operated by the Toronto Island Marina. If you do not check into the marina you can expect them to visit to collect the fees when tied up to the wall. Next to the ferry terminal there is a restaurant and bar overlooking the ferry dock where you can wait on the patio or inside for the return ferry to downtown . The Toronto Inner Harbour is a very busy place and all boat operators here are expected to possess a Toronto Harbor License. The harbour is full of small craft and racing activities as well as commercial traffic so you must be on watch and mind the rules of navigation particularly giving way to small sailing craft while not hindering the navigation of larger commercial vessels. For our purposes we will tour Toronto Island from the ferry port where a large graphic details the paths and destinations. Visitors should remember that this is a large piece of property and that one must be prepared to do some walking to explore it. Toronto Island Marina ( 5 ) is an almost forgotten destination by todays Torontonians since the completion of the new waterfront developments on the mainland, which is of course a blessing for visitor. It is a recommended stop particularly for those with children providing you can find a transient berth. The park like setting and modernized snack bar and bar overlooking the docks and the city skyline. To the west Toronto Island yacht Club [ Island YC Website ] occupies the western edge of Muggs Island which is on the east side of Blockhouse Bay. This is a private club facing Hanlins Wall. The club has a dining room and facilities for reciprocating yacht club members, monitors channel 68. The Royal Canadian Yacht Club occupies South Island and part of Center Island to the east of the ferry terminal. Its impressive clubhouse is viible on approach and one enters the mooring facilities from the channel west of the clubhouse which is marked by red range lights after dark. Royal Canadian Yacht Club is long established and has extensive facilities which include everything from a formal dining room through snack bar, and of course the licensed lounge. There are repair facilities available along with all expected services for members of reciprocating yacht clubs. There is, as might be expected, a dress code for clubhouse activities. You might care to visit their web site for more information. To the east Queen City Yacht CLub [ Queen City YC Website ] is found on Algonquin Island. The club has 6 feet of draft available and offers transient mooring for members of reciprocating yacht clubs. The club is serviced by a private launch which lands next to the sunken barge the Rapids Queen. Details of the facilities are found below and are typical for a Toronto area club. They do not take reservations but do monitor CH 68. QCYC phone is 416-203-0929. Other sights to see and places to visit on the Toronto Island range from scheduled festivals and activities to a nude (clothing optional) beach at the far end of the island at Hanlan's Point. |
Royal Canadian Yacht Club
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Toronto Island Marina
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Queen City Yacht Club
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Island Yacht Club
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Ashbridges Bay I Outer Harbor I Toronto Island I Downtown I West Gap I Ontario Pl |
Not all private facilities are open when we visit. But, we do visit everywhere we write about. E Mail Your current club or marina information to Cruising Canada |