Boating in Toronto Harbour

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Resident boaters must obtain a Toronto Port Authority Power Vessel Operators Permit. Please refer to the Toronto Port Authority for details.

As of September 15, 2009, operators of pleasure craft fitted with a motor and used for recreational purposes must have proof of competency on board at all times. Proof of competency can be shown through provision of a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC). Details may be found at Transport Canada Office of Safe Boating.

You can obtain both the required Toronto Port Authority Power Vessel Operators Permit and a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) through our Harbourfront Centre Sailing and Power Boating operation located within the Nautical Centre.

Launching Your Boat

If you wish to bring a boat into Toronto Harbour and need to launch it from a trailer you have two possible launch options. Unfortunately neither are downtown. These locations are east and west of the city core. Fees for launching at these locations may apply.

The ramp in the west is located in Humber Bay Park. This park is located in Etobicoke on Lakeshore Boulevard West just west of Park Lawn Road. Heading east towards the city exit at Park Lawn Road from the collector lanes of the Gardiner Expressway.

The eastern ramp is located in Ashbridges Bay Park on Lakeshore Boulevard East at the bottom of Coxwell Avenue.

In both locations follow the blue "Boat Launch" signs on Lakeshore.

To reach Toronto's Inner Harbour you will have to head into Lake Ontario and across Humber Bay from the west or navigate around the Outer Harbour East Headlands from the east. It is most important that you carefully monitor the weather including wind direction and speed. Taking a small boat on either of these voyages in adverse conditions is not advisable. Click on the yellow weather button at the top of this page for Environment Canada's most recent Western Lake Ontario Marine Forecast.

If you wish to launch via a crane or travel lift please contact Outer Harbour Marina at 416-778-6245 or another local service provider to make arrangements.