Water Sports · Ontario
The Boathouse
A canoe and kayak rental on Toronto Island, good for an hour or two on the harbour lagoons with skyline views. Most visitors find staff friendly, though a few say beginner instruction was lacking.
What visitors say
The Boathouse rents canoes and kayaks on Toronto Island, and most people add it to an island day trip. Paddlers follow a suggested route through the island waterways, with a couple of lookout points and views of the downtown skyline.
Many recent visitors, including first-time canoeists, say staff were friendly and gave clear instructions that made paddling easy. Prices are called good, and one group was allowed to store their bags free while out on the water. An hour is enough to loop around and enjoy the views, though one kayaker wished they'd booked two hours to go slower. Equipment is basic but in decent shape, and life jackets may run small for larger paddlers.
It suits casual paddlers, couples and visitors wanting a short, easy outing. Weekend afternoons are busy, and boats can run out.
About one in six ratings is one star. One couple said they got almost no instruction, struggled with the current and ended early. Another visitor was frustrated that fishing rods shown on a poster weren't actually available to rent. If you're new to paddling, ask for a proper how-to before you set off.
Summarised from visitor reviews on Google Maps. Based on 138 Google reviews. Details change — confirm hours, prices and bookings with The Boathouse directly.