How to get away from it all not far from home: go sailing!

Breaking the routine, taking the time to relax or reconnect with nature does not necessarily require booking tickets to an exotic destination. Quebec’s waterways offer you all of this, from the comfort of your boat!

A bit like recreational vehicles, pleasure boats allow you to travel, discover new places and even stay there, all at the same time. Depending on the type of boat you own, there are several nautical circuits where you can venture out and make some nice stops.

A day full of activities

Looking for an easily achievable round trip in one day? Know that there are plenty of places to visit while descending the St. Lawrence River, starting from Montreal. Among others:

· Boucherville Islands : pass through the islands to admire the fauna and flora. The place is also the sanctuary of at least 240 species of birds.

· Varennes : at this height, the south channel of the St. Lawrence River is perfect for practicing wakeboarding or water skiing.

· Reluctant Another place to enjoy nature is the Îles de Contrecœur National Wildlife Reserve (NWA). This is made up of 22 islets, where you can find bald eagles and great blue herons.

· Sorel Tracy : Did the trip make you hungry? Make a stop at the Halte des 103 îles for a snack before starting the return journey. You can even spend the night there.

A multi-day trip

Your boat has a cabin to sleep in and you want a longer trip? Head to Lake Ontario! Leaving from Montreal, several activities await you:

· Salaberry-de-Valleyfield : Considered as the water sports capital of Quebec, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield has a marina very close to its downtown area. You can dock there to visit the city, eat or sleep. It is also possible to attend shows presented on a floating stage in the summer.

· Brockville : do you dive? Did you know that it is possible to visit shipwrecks at the bottom of the St. Lawrence? Here you will find schooners, wooden barges and even steamships. However, it is best to check with the Dive Brockville Adventure Center before diving.

· mallorytown : if you want to spend a night in the forest during your journey, you can land at Thousand Islands National Park and book an oTENTik there. Take the opportunity to stretch your legs while discovering the area.

· kingston : you’ve reached Lake Ontario, moor at the Confederation Basin marina in Kingston. As it is located in the heart of downtown Kingston, you can get off there and explore the city. It is full of historic buildings. It is also possible to visit Fort Henry. In addition, Kingston is host to many festivals in the summer.

This is just a taste of the various stops and activities on the way. But there are several others to discover, hence the beauty of walks and boat trips. As the saying goes: it’s not the destination that counts, it’s the journey!

A few tips before you go

If you do not yet own a boat, but plan to own one or rent one this summer, you will need to obtain a pleasure craft operator card, commonly known as a “boat licence”.

To do this, you must complete a boating safety course, then pass an exam administered by a company accredited by Transport Canada.1. The duration of the training is about three hours, as a rule.

Also, take the time to learn about the waterways you plan to take. Do not hesitate to browse the publications and Internet sites dedicated to boating, such as Québec Yachting. These contain valuable travel advice.

It is important to remember that the rules regarding alcohol consumption are the same on a boat as in a car in Quebec. Also, if you plan to sail in Ontario, be aware that it is illegal to drink alcohol in this province while your boat is in motion.

[1] Driver card (CCEP) — ​​FAQ, Transport Canada


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