Cruising the 1000 Islands -What You Need to Know :

by Gordon Couture #404

Summer 1999


The Saint Lawrence Islands National Park and Brockville City Islands fees are payable in cash (use Canadian for the best exchange rate) via drop box. Make sure you have a good combination of small bills and $1 and $2 coins. In 1999, the fee was $14 CDN for a 7.9, at both the National park and the Brockville City Islands.

You will need a New York and/or Ontario fishing license if you plan to fish.

The best launch locations in the middle of the 1000 Islands are Brockville (free city ramp and free nearby parking in 1999), and Ivy Lea (William's Marine) on the Ontario side, and the state park at Alexandria Bay on the New York side. In Brockville, the easternmost ramp (next to the park) has deeper water, but is pretty steep. This is the one we used in 1999. The other ramp is a couple blocks west, and has the trailer parking lot. However, this ramp is shorter, and not as deep or in good condition. It would be fine in a high-water year. Brockville also has a fine city marina. At Williams, check the water level at the ramp before launching. It was just slightly deeper than "OK" in September 1998, but the lakes are down this year. Their office closes early, around 6:00pm. They have a laundry, ice, and a restaurant next door. The Alexandria Bay state park ramp on the New York side is also good. You can stay overnight at the state park docks, but you will probably be the only sailboat. The state park has a small store, a huge pool for swimming, and a high bluff from which to view the river. The town is further than an easy walk, so this is not a good stop to re-provision. Alexandria Bay has docks and marinas, but caters mostly to powerboats. The report is that they have the best weekend nightlife, though. There is also a ramp/marina in Gananoque, but trailer parking is several blocks away. This marina is inaccessible during the "Poker Run" and fireworks. However, it is close to some of the more interesting park islands, including Mermaid, which attracts mostly sailors because of the deep water docks (seven of eight boats were sailboats when we were there, and you know how a bunch of sailors are when they get together). Clayton has a municipal dock that is somewhat exposed, and some private marinas that don't normally cater to transients. The best is the French Bay Agency. Call ahead for availability.

Charts and books - Richardson's Lake Ontario chart book (or the individual government charts) and the Ports (not Ports of Call) Lake Ontario and the Thousand Islands cruising guide (published by Overleaf Design Ltd.) are necessities. "Ports" is available at the bookstore on Main Street in Brockville or through the internet. The price (in 1998) was $34.95 + tax, U.S. or Canadian, depending where you buy it. Buy in Canada and save. It is a must and worth every penny. Be sure to check the current water level relative to chart datum. In late summer, the water can drop measurably in a week. A guide to the Brockville Islands is available free at the City Marina office.

Internet sites -

St. Lawrence Islands National Park, Canada

The Nautical Mind Marine Booksellers

Joe's 1000 Islands Boating Guide


Customs - Legally, you must check in with customs in both the U.S. and Canada each time you come ashore in one country after leaving the other. Check in can be by telephone, but in Canada, you may only call from an "official" phone. They are at all the marinas, but none are on the islands. A personal cell phone is not a legal phone-in location. Plan your trip accordingly.

Important phone numbers - Just about any phone number you may need will be in the "Ports" cruising guide.
William's Marine (613) 659-3163
Canadian Customs 1-888-226-7277



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updated: October 7, 1999
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