Fav Southern Ontario PWC Jet Ski Launches…
Photo © by Virgil Knapp for Ontario Tourism
Related: Fav Waterfront Restaurants
For experienced Sea Doo riders and beginners, here’s an update of my best Sea Doo launches in Southern Ontario. Each of these top Sea Doo launches has good road access, lots of maneuvering room, ample parking, good water depth, a smooth ramp and dock facilities for your PWC adventures (see How To Launch Safely).
Many also have bathroom/changing rooms and are free. They are also good for any recreational boaters. In alphabetical order by nearest town name, here are some of my favourite choices for launching my Sea-Doo watercraft for a great day on Sea Doo tour in Canada on Sea Doo, jet ski or waverunner personal watercraft.
Sea Doo Launches – Barrie (Lake Simcoe)
Located near downtown on Kempenfelt Bay, this recreational boat launch at Barrie Marina provides west shore access for ride on Lakes Simcoe and Couchiching (Fee for launch & docks; ample paid parking (except for Barrie residents with a permit); restrooms; food available nearby.) For southern Lake Simcoe access, see next Bradford below. Other options: Tiffin Boat Launch (Tiffin & Lakeshore) on Kempenfelt Bay with free launch, paid parking.
View Barrie Marina, Lake Simcoe in a larger map
Sea Doo Launches – Bradford (Lake Simcoe)
Located on the east side of Yonge St (Hwy 11) at the south end of Bradford, this marina launch for recreational boaters provides southern access for a Sea Doo tour up Holland River to Lake Simcoe (Fee for boat launch & dock includes parking; outhouse). For western Lake Simcoe access, see Barrie Above.
View Bradford Launch, Holland River in a larger map
Sea Doo Launches – Burleigh Falls (Kawartha Lakes/Trent Severn Waterway)
Located just south of Lock 28 off Highway 28, this public launch for recreational boaters provides eastern access for westbound ride on Kawartha Lakes. (Free boat launch & dock; fee for parking; restrooms; fuel and convenience store across the road.) For westbound ride, see Long Beach below. See Sea Doo tour article.
View Burleigh Falls Public Launch in a larger map
Sea Doo Launches – Gravenhurst (Muskoka Lakes)
Located on Steamboat Bay Road off of Hwy 169 at Muskoka Wharf, this public launch for recreational boaters provides southern access for a Sea Doo tour on the Muskoka Lakes (Free boat launch & dock; ample free parking; outhouse + restrooms in nearby hotel; fuel on site; restaurant nearby.) For northern access launch, see Rosseau below. Other Options: free recreational boat launch & parking at foot of Bailey St, Port Carling and at MIlford Bay Rd, Beaumaris (recommended by David Heard).
View Muskoka Wharf, Gravenhurst in a larger map
Sea Doo Launches – Hastings (Rice Lake/Trent Severn Waterway)
Located on the south side of the Trent River just west of Lock 18 off County Road 45, this public launch for recreational boating provides eastern access for a westbound ride on Trent Severn/Rice Lake/Otonabee River (Free boat launch & dock; ample free parking; restrooms; restaurant nearby.) See Sea Doo tour article & video.
View Hastings Marina Public Launch in a larger map
Sea Doo Launches – Hawkesbury (Lower Ottawa River)
This public launch for recreational boating is located at Confederation Park, Hawkesbury (Paid boat launch includes dock & ample parking, restrooms). Be careful, this ramp is very steep. Read Sea Doo tour article.
Sea Doo Launches – Huntsville (Lakes Vernon, Fairy & Peninsula)
Located at the foot of Yonge St at Avery Beach, this public launch for recreational boating provides south shore access to Hunter’s Bay for a ride west to Lake Vernon or east on the river thru Huntsville to Fairy Lake and Peninsula Lake (Free boat launch & dock; ample free parking; outhouse; restaurant with docks on river in town.) See Sea Doo tour article.
View Avery Beach Public Launch, Huntsville in a larger map
Sea Doo Launches – Iroquois (St Lawrence River/1000 Islands)
Located just west of the Iroquois Power Dam and Seaway Lock, this marina launch for recreational boating is a good alternative to Morrisburg for the ride to Kingston when the gates of the dam are not open for the passage of small craft (Fee includes boat launch and parking; dock & restrooms). See Sea Doo tour article.
Sea Doo Launches – Kingston (Rideau Canal/1000 Islands)
Located just west of downtown, this marina launch for recreational boaters provides western access for an eastbound ride through the Thousand Islands to Brockville, northbound ride on Rideau Canal, or westbound ride on Bay of Quinte. (Fee for boat launch & dock; limited parking; restrooms; restaurant and fuel on site.) See Kingston Sea Doo tour Article. Other Options: launch & parking at Collins Bay.
Sea Doo Launches – Lefaivre Marina (Lower Ottawa River)
Tucked away in the sleepy little village of Lefaivre, located on County Road 24 midway between Ottawa and Montreal, this public recreational boat launch provides good access for cruises both up and down stream on the Lower Ottawa River (Paid launch & dock, ample parking, restrooms, on site fuel). Read Sea Doo tour article.
View Lefaivre Marina in a larger map
Sea Doo Launches – Long Beach (Kawartha Lakes/Trent Severn Waterway)
Located on the west shore of Sturgeon Lake and accessed by Long Beach Road off Highway 35 at Cameron, this marina launch for recreational boating is a western launch site for an eastbound ride of the Kawartha Lakes. (Fee for boat launch & dock, limited parking, restaurant with restrooms, fuel nearby). For westbound ride, see Burleigh Falls above. Read Sea Doo tour article.
View The Landings, Long Beach in a larger map
Sea Doo Launches – Morrisburg (St Lawrence River/1000 Islands)
Accessed from Highway 401 at exit 750, this public recreational boat launch is located on the St Lawrence River at the foot of Ottawa St (where it becomes Lakeshore Drive) and provides good eastern access for a Sea Doo tour through the 1000 Islands to Kingston and back (Free launch & dock; ample free parking; restrooms; restaurant and fuel nearby.)
View Morrisburg Public Launch in a larger map
Sea Doo Launches – Orillia (Lake Couchiching/Trent Severn Waterway)
Located in downtown Orillia’s Couchiching Park, this public launch for recreational boaters provides west shore access to Lake Couchiching for ride on that lake and Lake Simcoe (Free boat launch & dock; ample free parking; restrooms; restaurant and fuel nearby.)
View Orillia Public Launch in a larger map
Sea Doo Launches – Pembroke (Upper Ottawa River)
Located at the foot of Albert St in downtown Pembroke, this public recreational boat launch provides access to the Ottawa River for a Sea Doo tour west to Mattawa and beyond (Fee for launch & dock; ample free parking; restrooms; fuel, chip truck.)
View Pembroke Marina Launch in a larger map
Sea Doo Launches – Penetanguishene (Southern Georgian Bay)
Located at the foot of Main St, this public launch for recreational boating is good western staging point for a ride north to Parry Sound (shorter option than launching from Sparrow Lake) or east into the Trent system at Port Severn (Fee for boat launch & dock; ample free parking; restrooms; restaurant on site, fuel at nearby marina). Other Options: Victoria Harbour free launch & parking (recommended by Paul Molto). See Sea Doo Tour article.
View Penetanguishene Public Launch in a larger map
Sea Doo Launches – Peterborough (Otonabee River/Trent Severn Waterway)
Take the Asburnham exit from Highway 115 By Pass north in Peterborough to Maria St and hang left to first street after Rogers Cove Public Park on Little Lake. This public recreational boat launch provides good access for a southbound ride on the Otonabee River to Rice Lake and beyond (Free launch & dock; ample free parking at nearby park; restrooms; fuel nearby either at gas station on Lansdowne or at Peterborough Marina.) See Sea Doo Tour article.
View Mark Street Public Launch, Peterborough in a larger map
Sea Doo Launches – Port Severn (Southern Georgian Bay)
Located off Hwy 69 at exit 153, this resort launch for recreational boating provides southern access for westbound ride on Severn Sound and north on the inner channel of Georgian Bay to Parry Sound (Fee for boat launch includes dock & parking; outhouse). See Penetanguishene (above) for alternate launch for Southern Georgian Bay. Other Options: free launch & parking beside Rawley’s Resort (recommended by Paul Molto & Linda Simpson); free launch & parking at Big Chute Marina (recommended by Paul Molto). See Sea Doo Tour article.
View Muskie’s Resort Launch in a larger map
Sea Doo Launches – Port Stanton (Sparrow Lake/Trent Severn Waterway)
Located west from the South Sparrow Lake Road exit off Hwy 11 near Port Stanton, this recreational boat launch at Lauderdale Point Marina provides east shore access for westbound ride from Sparrow Lake through Severn River/ Gloucester Pool and on to Honey Harbour (Fee for launch includes parking & dock; restrooms; fuel and snacks on site.) See Penetanguishene or Severn Falls (above) for alternate launch to ride Southern Georgian Bay only. See Sea Doo Tour article.
View Lauderdale Point Marina, Sparrow Lake in a larger map
Sea Doo Launches – Rosseau (Muskoka Lakes)
Located on Highway 141 just south of town (at foot of big hill), this public launch for recreational boating provides good northern access for a ride on the Muskoka Lakes (Free boat launch & dock; ample free parking; restrooms; fuel at marina next door, restaurant nearby. Note: on Fridays during the summer access may be more crowded due to farmer’s market on site).
View Rosseau Public Launch in a larger map
Sea Doo Launches – Trenton (Bay of Quinte)…
Sea Doo Launches – Trenton (Bay of Quinte)
Located beside Duncan MacDonald Memorial Gardens in Centennial Park near downtown Trenton at the mouth of the Trent Severn Waterway, this public launch for recreational boaters provides western access for eastbound ride on Bay of Quinte, Adolphus Reach and North Channel to Kingston. It’s also the staging location for riding the Trent Severn Waterway. (Free boat launch & dock; ample free parking; outhouse plus restrooms in nearby arena). See Sea Doo Tour Article.
View Trenton Public Launch in a larger map
Sea Doo Launches – Waubaushene (Southern Georgian Bay)
The marina launch for recreational boaters is a good staging point for Sea Doo tours into Southern Georgian Bay (Fee for boat launch includes parking & dock; restrooms). It’s an alternative to launching at Port Severn or Penetanguishene (see above). See Sea Doo Tour article.
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The tips and advice in this article are the opinions of the author, may not work in every situation and are intended only for the convenience and interest of the reader, who has the personal responsibility to confirm the validity, accuracy and relevancy of this information prior to putting it to their own use.