The most straightforward approach to the Niagara River starts about two-thirds of a mile offshore at the green bell buoy, which is left to port. Be wary of the five and six-foot shoals between the buoy and the eastern bank of the entrance to the river as you head towards the river entrance and the Niagara-on-the-Lake range on heading 149.5º.The white buildings with red tops that come into view as you proceed towards the river entrance are the lighthouses on the west bank that form the front and rear of the range.
The Niagara River has a substantial current due to the great volume of water emptying from the Great Lakes. Depending on the time of year and the flows released by the hydroelectric plants at Niagara Falls, there may be currents up to four knots outbound from the Niagara River. On the east bank, the restored buildings of Old Fort Niagara can be clearly seen from several miles out to the west and north. As you approach the point, you will see the United States Coast Guard station’s red-roofed buildings.
Once you’re abeam the Coast Guard station, the course will put you in the centre of the river entrance. From here you may proceed up the river centre in deep water to either the Youngstown Yacht Club on the American bank or the Niagara-on-the- Lake Sailing Club on the Canadian bank.
As you head up the river towards the Niagara-on-the-Lake Sailing Club, you will first pass several large homes on the river and then the docks for Niagara River Jetboat Tours.You will then arrive at the Sailing Club’s transient fixed docks on the river side, with the clubhouse and the first of the lighthouses situated on the visitor’s dock that runs parallel to the river. Stop at the visitor’s dock or call ahead on VHF 68 to confirm your reservation and slip assignment. Given the popularity of this destination, advance reservations are strongly advised. 
Niagara-on-the-Lake Sailing Club is a full-service facility offering club member reciprocals, fuel, and pump-out and repair services with a haul-out and winter storage yard. Once at the Sailing Club, you are an easy walk or ride to the numerous attractions of historic Niagara-on-the-Lake. Stroll back through history and enjoy world-class theatre, fine dining, shopping, estate wineries, farm markets and historical sites.
Niagara-on-the-Lake, often called the loveliest town in Ontario, has a long and distinguished history. Originally settled at the close of the American Revolution by Loyalists coming to Upper Canada, the town is now home to the Shaw Festival and many cultural events throughout the summer season. It also has a multitude of galleries, restaurants, craft and gift shops along with the Apothecary Museum and many other attractions to keep boaters returning time and again.
Just a short walk away from the marina is the Fort George Historic Site, managed by Parks Canada. It brings history alive with the re-enactment of the garrison sights, sounds and smells on the eve of the War of 1812.You can truly sense the tension of battle preparations as the British Army soldiers practise their drills and fife and drum corps rally the troops with music.
While in Niagara-on-the-Lake, you can arrange trips to Niagara Falls and the many estate wineries of the Niagara Peninsula. The town offers some grocery, pharmacy and medical services, but you’ll need to do any major provisioning in St. Catharines.
From the mouth of the Niagara River it is a short seven mile cruise southwest past the entrance of the Welland Canal to the next port-of-call,Port Dalhousie, part of the city of St. Catharines.When travelling in this area, be sure to keep a watch for freighters transiting the canal and give them a wide berth.
The approach to the harbour at Port Dalhousie is straightforward with good water all the way into the breakwaters surrounding the Port Dalhousie Pier Marina basin and the inner harbour channel.
Approaching from the east, you’ll see the breakwaters of the Port Dalhousie Pier Marina basin on the east side of the main harbour entrance.
The marina, which has plenty of water and welcomes transients, is a great stop after or prior to transiting the Welland Canal. This is especially true if you arrive after dark, as it has a relatively straightforward entrance.The floating docks here are equipped with electricity and water. Showers, washrooms and a restaurant are also available, along with a travel lift and some repair facilities.
It is a pleasant walk to town from the marina along the Port Dalhousie Harbour Walkway, but you may simply prefer to cruise right into town. Heading down the centre of the channel, continue past the Port Dalhousie Pier Marina on the outside of the port breakwall. Before you pass the retired lighthouse, you will arrive at the Dalhousie Yacht Clubhouse, located to port, with the town docks to starboard.
The Yacht Club has slips on both sides of the inner harbour.The wall in front and north of the club is used for visitors from reciprocal clubs. Check in here for your slip assignment. The only fuel and pump-out facilities for both the marina and yacht club are next to the clubhouse building. At Port Dalhousie’s public docks, tie-ups with wooden cladding are available along the inner side of the west pier and for the first few docks. Operated by the City of St. Catharines, these are available to visitors on a first-come-first-served basis.
There is much to do while in Port Dalhousie.A wonderful beach at Lakeside Park on the west side of the harbour entrance offers plenty of fun for all ages, including an antique carousel ride for five cents. In town, there is a wide variety of restaurants, cabaret-style theatre at the Theatre in Port, and, of course, the historic Henley Rowing Course.
August brings the excitement of the annual Royal Canadian Henley Regatta to Martindale Pond. Since the “Henley” settled in St. Catharines in 1903, it has grown to become the largest of its kind in North America with over 2,700 men and women from over 150 rowing clubs competing for Henley Gold.
Those recreational boaters who need more necessities or want the facilities of a city will find these in nearby St. Catharines. This is a great spot for families to spend time discovering Lake Ontario fun in the sun while soaking in some history.