Jet Ski to Best Points of Interest…
Big Chute Marine Railway Photo © by Craig Nicholson
Related: Must See Locks
So what are the top 10 Ontario jet ski sightseeing attractions for self guided PWC adventures? Ask any Sea Doo tour riders and whether they’re experienced or beginners, you’re bound to get a variety of opinions. Same goes from other recreational boaters. That’s because there are so many awesome sights along #ontariowaterways when I’m riding my Sea Doo GTX 155!
Of course, the best of all is simply the majestic splendour that Mother Nature has bestowed to this province’s 250,000 lakes and 100,00 kilometres (62,000 miles) of rivers – and the best way to appreciate it is on a Sea Doo personal watercraft, generically called a PWC or jet ski!
That being said, I have a personal top 10 list of sights, both natural and man-made, that really knock my socks off every time on my Sea Doo rides. So here are my best jet ski attractions, in alphabetical order…
Aerial view of Baie Finn
Top 10 Ontario PWC Sightseeing Attractions: Baie Finn
Location: Georgian Bay, near Killarney – Lat: 46° 0.605, Long: 081° 40.299
Also called Baie Fine, this is a peaceful, deep fiord in northeastern Ontario that’s about 11 kilometres (7 miles) long and ends at a sheltered anchorage called The Pool. It’s a great escape from the bigger waters of Georgian Bay and incredibly scenic too. Don’t miss a hike to and refreshing swim in nearby Lake Topaz (see video below). #rideneontario
Want to see Baie Finn for yourself? Check out my North Channel Sea Doo Tour.
Big Chute Marine Railway
Top 10 Ontario PWC Sightseeing Attractions: Big Chute Marine Railway
Location: Severn River, near Port Severn – Lat: 44.8847° N, Long: 79.6747° W
As it name suggests, this steep railway is built into the side of a huge hill to raise or lower boats on their journey through the Severn River in what’s known as Explorers’ Edge. It’s an amazing sight to see, but the best view is from the boat platform as it descends the west slope, so try to get a front position. #explorersedge
Want to see Big Chute for yourself? Check out my Severn River Sea Doo Tour.
Boldt Castle, 1000 Islands
Top 10 Ontario PWC Sightseeing Attractions: Boldt Castle
Location: 1000 Islands, near Alexandria, NY – Lat: 44.3445° N, Long: 75.9226° W
The 1000 Islands are spectacular enough on their own, but when you discover that someone built their own castle on one of them, it takes the eye candy in the great waterway to a whole new level. #thegreatwaterway
Want to see Boldt Castle for yourself? Check out my 1000 Islands Sea Doo Tour.
Inside Carillon Lock
Top 10 Ontario PWC Sightseeing Attractions: Carillon Lock
Location: Lower Ottawa River, near Hawkesbury – Lat: 45.570099˚ N, Long: 74.380891˚ W
The largest lock in the Parks Canada system is a truly impressive sight from above and makes a PWC rider feel pretty small when the lock walls are towering many stories tall on either side in the Ottawa River.
Devil’s Rock, Lake Temiscaming
Top 10 Ontario PWC Sightseeing Attractions: Devil’s Rock
Location: Lake Temiscaming, south of Haileybury – Lat: 47.419255˚ N, Long: 79.603859˚ W
Devil’s Rock is a well known and massive cliff on the west shore of Lake Temiscaming in northeastern Ontario, where if you look closely, you can spot the open ends of old mine shafts tunnelled deep in to the rock face. #rideneontario
Want to see Devil’s Rock for yourself? Check out my Upper Ottawa River Sea Doo Tour.
Ojibway Club
Top 10 Ontario PWC Sightseeing Attractions: Ojibway Club
Location: Georgian Bay west of Point au Baril on Ojibway Island – Lat & Long unavailable. Note: The map location link isn’t right either, so ask before trying to find it on your own!
The Ojibway Club is another one of those completely unexpected sights. You’re cruising along through the islands in Georgian Bay’s inland waterway, when suddenly out of nowhere the imposing façade of the Ojibway Club appears in Explorers’ Edge. #explorersedge
Want to see Ojibway Club for yourself? Check out my Georgian Bay Sea Doo Tour.
Old Fort Henry, Kingston
Top 10 Ontario PWC Sightseeing Attractions: Old Fort Henry
Location: St. Lawrence River near Kingston – Lat: 44.2303° N, Long: 76.4597° W
Most tourists see Old Fort Henry from inside looking out, but from your PWC on the great waterway, you can appreciate it from an invaders perspective – and don’t be shocked to have a cannon fired from the ramparts! #thegreatwaterway
Want to see Old Fort Henry for yourself? Check out my 1000 Islands Sea Doo Tour.
Canada’s Parliament Buildings
Top 10 Ontario PWC Sightseeing Attractions: Parliament Hill
Location: Lower Ottawa River at Ottawa – Lat: 45.4248° N, Long: 75.6992° W
The navigable section of the Lower Ottawa ends within a stone’s throw of Canada’s Parliament Buildings near the mouth of the Rideau Canal. The seat of our national government in Ottawa looks totally different from the water.
Top 10 Ontario PWC Sightseeing Attractions: Peterborough Lift Lock
Peterborough Lift Lock
Location: Trent Severn Waterway at Peterborough – Lat: 44.3075° N, Long: 78.3008° W
The world’s largest lift lock is a huge water tank that raises and lowers full of boats on their way to and from the Kawarthas. It’s an amazing sight, but the best view is from the tank itself as it reaches the top of its lift. #kawarthas
Want to see the Peterborough Lift Lock for yourself? Check out my Otonabee River Sea Doo Tour.
View from Bird Rock
Top 10 Ontario PWC Sightseeing Attractions: Rocher à l’Oiseau
Location: Upper Ottawa River, near Chalk River – Lat: 46.036324˚ N, -77.313403˚ W
Popularly known as “Bird Rock”, this sheer cliff face towers over the water, which is so deep that you can drive your PWC right up beside it. But for the best view, cruise around to the sheltered bay just around the south point and hike to the top of Ontario’s Highlands. #ontarioshighlands
Want to see Bird Rock for yourself? Check out my Upper Ottawa River Sea Doo Tour.
On any given day, I might add a couple more terrific sights to this list, but it’s a good start. What are your favourite Ontario PWC Sightseeing Attractions?
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.
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