Leaving Picton Harbour, follow the buoyed channel out to the bay and then set course down Adolphus Reach heading for our final destination of Kingston.
Heading east into the well-buoyed North Channel along Amherst Island, you will find four anchorages – Kerr Bay, Wright Bay, Stella Bay and Preston Cove. On the north shore is well-protected Loyalist Cove Marina just east of the town of Bath. When heading to the Kingston area from Amherst Island, the first marina to consider is located at the west end of the city in Collins Bay. While appearing to be wide open, Collins Bay shallows significantly at the back half of the bay. Make sure you stay to the port side of the bay and pick up the private markers leading to Collins BayMarina, easily identified by the flags on the break-wall and sailboat masts behind.
The marina has 300 slips with room for 50 transients, both power and sail, to a maximum of 50 feet of length and 8 feet of draft. All docks are floating fingers, two feet above the water with power and water available at all slips.
Whether heading east from Collins Bay or arriving from the open waters of Lake Ontario, one of the first prominent Kingston landmarks are the dominating walls and block buildings of Kingston Penitentiary, overlooking Portsmouth Olympic Harbour.
Built to host the sailing events for the 1976 Olympics, Portsmouth Olympic Harbour’s basin is well protected from the prevailing wind and waves. The municipally run marina provides gas, diesel and pump-outs and has over 250 slips, providing spots for 30 or more transient boats.
Heading further east to Kingston Harbour, you will pass the first of the area’s Martello Towers. Also, what first appears to be another Coast Guard Ship and Station is actually the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes.
There are two entrances to Flora MacDonald Confederation Basin, so prior to arriving at the marina you are asked to reserve a slip by telephone or contact the marina on VHF channel 68 for instructions to determine which entrance to use.
The first entrance to the new basin for transient boats is found between the two breakwaters. Floating docks for transients, both for short-term docking and overnighting, are located behind the Radisson Hotel. The basin can accommodate vessels up to 140 feet in length in an average depth of 12 feet of water.
The second or older basin is entered by passing to the northeast of the Martello Tower inside the tour boat pier. You must clear the rock and timber ruined breakwall sections prior to turning to port into the basin. The inner basin has a select few transient slips on occasion, best suited to vessels under 30 feet. The marina has 400 slips with 225 reserved for transients. The docks have water and power at the slips and showers and washrooms are also available onsite. Ice can be purchased at the dockmaster’s office, located at the old basin.
One of the key reasons cruising boaters choose to dock in Confederation is its location in the heart of historic Kingston. Old City Hall is immediately opposite the marina and park. The local tourism information is located in the old train station in the park and all of the attractions and amenities of downtown Kingston are just a short walk away.
The city features a host of things to do and places to visit. A walking tour of the historic neighbourhoods close to the waterfront provides an interesting glimpse into Upper Canada’s past. Historic sights and museums abound in Kingston. The most popular is probably Old Fort Henry, where you can witness the life of a British garrison from the War of 1812.
Kingston features excellent shopping and the nightlife is superb, with live theatre and music, outdoor patios and cafes, and a variety of restaurants that cater to every taste. Provisioning of all types is available in the downtown area, including at the farmers’ market located behind the historic City Hall.
As well, for the adventuresome, the many dive shops can help you explore the area’s wrecks that make this one of the most popular diving destinations in Ontario. Our brief tour of Lake Ontario ends here at Kingston, where many boaters continue on to discover the Thousand Islands and St.Lawrence River or the history of the Rideau Canal.
If you are planning a cruise on Lake Ontario, the Canadian shore offers boaters an array of different landscapes and experiences. You can explore the historic towns from Niagara to Prince Edward County or enjoy the bright lights of Toronto. Alternately, you can seek out quieter harbours or enjoy the scenic anchorages from the Bay of Quinte to Kingston. Whatever your choice, Lake Ontario is a big water cruising destination waiting to be explored.