Rental

Canoeing on the French River

As a relatively untouched place by modern society, the French River is a great tourist destination for fishermen, paddlers and outdoor enthusiasts. The 110 kilometer river has many established canoeing routes along the historic French River and beautiful Georgian bay.

Let's get started!

We went to Hartey Bay Marina, which is about a 3.5 hour drive north of Toronto. Once you get there, you will need to register at the front office and then they'll redirect you to the dock to get set up. 

From here, it's pretty much a "choose your own adventure." Whether you're here for a one day or a few days, make sure to map out a route to take. You can ask the people working there what route would best suit your needs. Invest in a map if you're heading out for a few days! 

Notes:

  • Canoe rental is $35/day. There's a $10 launch fee and a $10 parking fee. All their canoes are 16 ft Nova Crafts and seat two people (but we seated three). They come with paddles, life jackets and safety equipment. You can visit the site here for other rental options. Try to reserve ahead of time to ensure availability! 
  • Check here for a map of the river and popular routes you can take. 
  • Experience the French River by renting a cottage, go backcountry camping, canoeing, kayaking or fishing! 
  • The current can get pretty strong once the river opens up, so be ready to paddle! 
  • Remember to pack bug spray, sunscreen and tons of water! 

Let's be real here

Canoeing gets pretty tiring after the first few hours. We spent 6 hours out on the water with a lunch break on an island. We also didn't have a map, so we didn't go out too far. But we did end up in a swampy area with tons of wildlife. We ended up seeing a baby bear, which Chechi scared off because she got too excited. Typical. 

Happy Adventuring!

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A Toronto Islands Kind of Adventure

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As one of Toronto's top attractions, Toronto Islands is a great escape from the city life. Spend the summer day taking part in one of the many activities that the islands offer.

Let's Get Started

To get to Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, you can either take the TTC or walk there. It's located at the foot of Bay Street at Queens Quay. 

TTC: From Union Station, take the 509 Harbourfront or 510 Spadina streetcar south to the Bay and Queen Quay stop. Head south down the street to reach the ferry terminal. 

Walk: From Union Station, walk south down Bay Street. You'll eventually reach the park entrance via the walkway between Westin Harbour Castle hotel and Harbour Castle condominiums. It only takes 10 minutes. 

Toronto Islands: You'll need to take the ferry to get to the island. Depending on what activities you want to do, you can choose which section of island to visit. Enjoy the ride over and spend the day out in the sun exploring.

Notes: 

  • Ferry rides: $7.25/adult; $4.75/student(19 and under) or senior; $3.50/junior (14 and under). The price is for round-trip. The ferry comes about every half hour. It's a 15 minute ride. Peak hours are from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m, so try to avoid those times if you can. 
  • Bike Rentals: You'll need an identification card to rent. It's cash only and there's a deposit fee as well that varies depending on which bike you're renting. The minimum rental is 1 hour and you're only given 5 minute leeway before you're charged for another half hour, so be punctual! You can choose between a single bike, tandem bike, two-seater or 4-seater quadricycle. Rental is on Centre Island, but feel free to explore both ends of the islands. 
  • The island has Centreville, beaches, canoeing and kayaking, bike rentals, festivals (depending on the day), restaurants and picnic areas. 

Happy Adventuring!