This post is sponsored by SouthEasternOntario.ca. Cover photo by Lyndsay Bigley, Brockville Tourism.
In spring, summer and fall, most of us crave being near water—whether we want to jump off a dock into a cool lake, paddle a kayak along a quiet river or just enjoy the breeze on a restaurant’s waterfront patio.
Fortunately, one thing South Eastern Ontario has lots of is water! From the wide St. Lawrence River to myriad lakes and babbling creeks, you’re never far from a shoreline in this region that stretches from Cornwall and SDG Counties in the east to the Bay of Quinte in the west. And a brand-new campaign (that I had a hand in writing!) called Waterway Adventure Guides is packed with ideas for making the most of them. Here are just a few of the suggestions you’ll find on the site, grouped by region. Click on the links at the top of each section to find more information on the places mentioned.
Cornwall and SDG Counties
Tucked into Ontario’s southeastern corner, Cornwall and SDG Counties are so close to Ottawa and yet worlds away in vibe.
- Bring your boat! You’ll find boat launches and water access in many communities, including Winchester, Chesterville, Crysler, Ingleside, Summerstown and Cornwall.
- The gorgeous Long Sault Parkway connects 11 islands along the St. Lawrence River. Cycle or drive from beach to beach and book a campsite to extend the fun.
- Dive through clear waters near Cornwall to see the remains of the Lost Villages, submerged forever during the creation of the St. Lawrence Seaway. (You’ll see lots of shipwrecks, too.)
- Cast your line in the Hoople Creek Basin, one of Eastern Ontario’s best places to catch pickerel.
- Watch ocean-going ships navigating through huge locks on the St. Lawrence Seaway in Iroquois.
- Bring your binoculars to spot water-loving birds at Cooper Marsh Conservation Area or the Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary.
1000 Islands Rideau Canal Waterways
Just south of Ottawa, the 1000 Islands Rideau Canal Waterways area includes picturesque waterfront communities perfect for a day trip or a quick weekend getaway.
- In Kemptville, rent a canoe, kayak or standup paddleboard at Rideau River Provincial Park, go fishing, or just kick back on the beach.
- Watch boats passing through the Rideau Canal locks in Merrickville, then shop for locally made candles, caramels and more.
- Look out over the St. Lawrence River from the ramparts of Fort Wellington National Historic Site in Prescott.
- In Westport, get a sweeping view of Upper Rideau Lake on a hike in Foley Mountain Conservation Area.
- The 1000 Islands are a water-lover’s paradise, whether you’re paddling through them in Thousand Islands National Park or admiring them on a scenic drive along the Thousand Islands Parkway.
- Craving a waterfront meal? You’ll find scenic spots in Rideau Ferry, Kemptville, Portland, Elgin, Westport, and Rockport, among many other places.
Brockville
A little over an hour from Ottawa by car or VIA Rail, Brockville is a great base for exploring the 1000 Islands and the St. Lawrence River.
- Take a sightseeing boat trip through some of the 1000 Islands. (Did you know there are actually 1,864 islands in total?)
- Learn about the ecology of the St. Lawrence River at the Aquatarium.
- Eat ice cream and piping-hot chips as you stroll along Blockhouse Island—which isn’t an island at all! It’s a pretty peninsula right downtown.
- If you do want to explore one of the nearby islands, hop aboard a water taxi.
- Scuba among the many submerged sculptures at Centeen Underwater Dive Park, or set your sights on the area’s famous underwater shipwrecks.
- Tie up your sailboat or motorboat at one of the city’s beautiful marinas, then go exploring.
- Take the kids to the safe and sandy beach at St. Lawrence Park.
1000 Islands Gananoque
Located where the Gananoque River meets the St. Lawrence River, Gananoque is another wonderful spot for seeing the 1000 Islands.
- Marvel at the 1000 Islands from the air during a helicopter ride, from the deck of a sightseeing boat cruise, at water level on a kayaking tour or from the shore along the Thousand Islands Parkway.
- See a play in a waterfront theatre that was once a canoe club boathouse.
- Learn about the St. Lawrence skiff, a sturdy little rowboat that Gananoque boat builders crafted for generations, at the Thousand Islands Boat Museum.
- Book a fishing charter and try to catch a big one, or get your own boat into the water at one of the town’s many launches.
- No boat? No worries—you can rent a kayak or a houseboat here.
- Take a refreshing swim from the sandy downtown beach at Joel Stone Heritage Park.
Kingston
Follow the Rideau Canal Waterway all the way from Ottawa and you’ll reach Kingston, the gorgeous Limestone City at the northeastern tip of Lake Ontario. Not surprisingly, it’s full of fun for water fans.
- Take a guided tour of the S.S. Keewatin, a beautifully restored 1907 passenger liner that once plied the Great Lakes, at the Great Lakes Museum.
- Paddle a canoe along the Cataraqui River.
- Rent a sailboat or bring your own to catch the breezes on Lake Ontario.
- Speaking of rentals, you can rent a bike and cycle for hours along the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail.
- Dive among countless 19th- and 20th-century shipwrecks just offshore.
- Take a scenic boat cruise—for a few hours or overnight—among the stunning 1000 Islands.
- Cool off at a beach—Kingston has six of them!
- Learn about military history at Fort Henry, strategically positioned where Lake Ontario flows into the St. Lawrence River.
Bay of Quinte
The Bay of Quinte includes the neighbouring cities of Belleville and Quinte West, both with ample waterfront along this Lake Ontario bay.
- Bring your fishing gear—the Bay of Quinte is popular with anglers who want to catch smallmouth bass, lake trout, perch, northern pike, and especially walleye.
- Pilot a boat through the first seven locks of the Trent-Severn Waterway in Quinte West.
- Cycle or stroll along the Moira Riverfront Trail.
- Browse food and vendor stalls and enjoy live music during Pop-Ups on the Bay, an annual summer attraction in Zwick’s Park in Belleville.
- Linger over a meal on one (or more!) of the half dozen waterfront restaurant patios.
- Take the family to the Frankford Tourist Park, where you’ll find a small beach, a playground and a covered picnic pavilion.
- Slip your watercraft into a lake or river at one of the many boat launches.