5 Boating Activities to Try in Ontario This Summer

Boating activities in Ontario can include anything from a relaxed sightseeing or sunset cruise to paddling a quiet shoreline, fishing on Georgian Bay, or trying something more active like paddleboarding or sailing. That’s part of what makes summer here so easy to enjoy. You don’t need your own boat or a full cottage week to get on the water.

In this post, we’ll look at a few different ways to make the most of Ontario’s lakes, bays, and rivers this summer.

1. A Sightseeing or Sunset Cruise

A sightseeing or sunset cruise is one of the easiest boating activities in Ontario to try because you don’t need to rent equipment or even know your way around the water. You can just get on the boat, settle in, and enjoy taking in the sights.

Georgian Bay is typically a good place for this, because you can get wide-open views and still see specific things from the water. For example, Collingwood Charters offers sightseeing cruises from Collingwood Harbour that pass by the Terminals and head out toward Georgian Bay, along with sunset cruises that go out on the bay near the Nottawasaga Lighthouse.

For anyone who wants to enjoy Ontario’s water without renting gear or handling the boat themselves, a cruise is one of the simplest ways to turn a summer afternoon into an actual outing. 

2. Kayaking or Canoeing

Kayaking or canoeing is a better fit if you want a more hands-on boating activity. After all, you’re closer to the water, and you set the pace. The route you take can be as simple as paddling along a calm shoreline or as involved as planning a longer day trip.

For a classic lake-and-forest paddling trip, Algonquin is one of the easiest Ontario examples to picture. It’s practically built for it!  But if you want more of a river route, the French River may be a better fit, since it connects to Georgian Bay instead of feeling like a quiet inland lake paddle. 

Wherever you end up, paddling works well when the day doesn’t need to be packed with stops or a strict schedule. It’s still active, but it gives you more room to slow down and take in the water at your own pace.

3. Stand-Up Paddleboarding

Stand-up paddleboarding is a nice middle ground if kayaking or canoeing feels like too much of a plan, but sitting on a boat feels a little too passive. You still get to be out on the water and do something active, but you don’t necessarily need a long route or a full day built around it.

And unlike some other Ontario boating activities, location can really make all the difference here. A calm waterfront area can make the whole thing feel a lot more manageable, especially if you’re new to it. 

In Ontario, places around Bruce, Grey, and Simcoe, Niagara, and Toronto’s waterfront are good examples of where paddleboarding can fit into a summer day without turning into a huge production.

4. A Fishing Charter or Fishing Day

Fishing is one of the few boating activities that gives the day a clear purpose. Instead of just heading out on the water, you’re going out to catch something. Or, at the very least, spend a few hours focused on something other than deciding where to eat later.

You can keep it simple by planning your own fishing day if you already have access to a boat, gear, and a good spot. But if you don’t, a fishing charter can make more sense because the company handles the boat, route, equipment, and local knowledge for you.

Georgian Bay can be a great place for both kinds of fishing, especially if you want to get farther from shore and fish from the water instead of staying in one place. Collingwood Charters offers fishing charters around here, while other Ontario fishing areas like Lake Simcoe, Lake Nipissing, the French River, and Lake of the Woods can also work depending on the kind of trip you want.

5. Sailing or Another Wind-Powered Water Activity

Sailing is a different kind of boating activity because the wind plays a key part in the experience. It’s not the lowest-effort option on this list, but that’s part of the appeal. Wind-powered activities can give the day a more skill-based pace, which makes it a good choice if you want to do more than sit back and look at the water.

It’s not just sailing, either. Depending on where you go, wind-powered boating activities can include:

• Sailing. The classic option for those who want to be out on a larger boat and learn how the wind moves them across the water.

• Windsurfing. This one is more active and usually better for people who want something sportier.

• Kiteboarding. This may be a bit much for some, but it can be a good fit for people who want a more adventurous summer activity.

Lake Ontario is one place where sailing makes sense, especially around waterfront communities with sailing clubs, lessons, or charter options. You can also find wind-powered activities in areas like Orillia and Lake Country or around the 1000 Islands, depending on whether you want something structured or more adventurous.

Ready to Try Boating Activities on Georgian Bay This Summer?

You don’t need to plan a full road trip to try some Ontario boating activities this summer. Sometimes, the easiest place to start is close by, especially if you’re already near Georgian Bay.

Collingwood Charters offers boating activities like sightseeing cruises, sunset cruises, and fishing charters from Collingwood Harbour, giving you a simple way to get out on the water for an afternoon or evening. 

Whether you want to take in the views, catch a sunset, or spend time fishing from the water, book your cruise or contact us today to help make the most of the summer season.