From Trenton, it is a leisurely cruise east through the Bay of Quinte past The Narrows and Anderson shoal, 10 miles to the Norris Whitney bridge and the approach to Belleville. After passing under the bridge, follow the marked channel leading north into Belleville’s inner bays or the city’s first marina, Meyers Pier Marina.
Upon entering the marina through the rock breakwater, turn immediately to port for the fuel dock. The fuel dock has two diesel and gas pumps, as well as pump-out facilities. There are 172 slips with at least 18 reserved for visitors. The marina office, showers and washrooms are situated in the red-roofed building. For your convenience, they loan bicycles with large carrying baskets to make the trip into town for supplies. Also, just steps away is the Bayshore Trail, with links to many of the city’s parks and the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail.
You will find the rest of Belleville’s boating facilities by following the buoyed channel north from Meyers Pier, along the east shore and into the west or east inner bays. Downtown Belleville’s historic shopping and restaurant area is a short walk from any of the marine facilities. Once the site of a French mission and then a thriving Empire Loyalist settlement, Belleville became the centre of the lumber and railway boom. Its success is evident in the architecture of downtown. The restored 1873 City Hall in Market Square and magnificent homes surrounding the Corby Rose Garden are just a few minutes east on Bridge Street.
From Belleville, it is a scenic 27-mile cruise to our next port-of-call.A pleasant day’s run, there are several anchorages to stop for lunch and a swim along the way. The cruise takes you past Deseronto and south down Long Reach to Picton Bay and the town of Picton.
Turning south into Picton Bay, continue until it appears you will soon be onshore then pick up the marked channel around Chimney Point into the harbour. Although there are lots of permanent moorings in the harbour, there is room for anchoring with good holding reported and the speed limit in the harbour keeps the wakes to a minimum.
As you enter you will see the Prince Edward Yacht Club directly ahead on the starboard side. Around Brick Kiln Point to your port is the Prince Edward Cruising Club. Further into the harbour on the port side, you will find the Picton Harbour Park Marina with a fuel and pump-out dock in 12 feet of water. The fuel dock has gas and diesel, as well as showers and washroom facilities.
The quiet harbour offers excellent protection in all kinds of weather and the town of Picton has become a food and wine lover’s destination. This small historical town, the unofficial capital of “the county,” has classic old homes converted to first-class bed and breakfasts, inns and spas, as well as a vibrant downtown full of restaurants, craft stores and gift shops. The restored theatre offers a summertime menu of film and live productions. It’s truly no wonder cruisers come for a night and end up staying for several.This is a popular stop, particularly for boaters heading to and from the Thousand Islands, so reservations are recommended if you want a dock.