Boat, Fish, Sail, Or Paddle In Barrie, Ontario

Published: Sunday, July 1, 2018

Barrie, Ontario, is the perfect destination for recreational boaters and fishermen! Our location on Kempenfelt Bay, is the picture perfect place for all of your water-loving needs.

Fishing

Kempenfelt Bay and Lake Simcoe is famous for its sport fishing. The size of the lake, its location, and the wide variety of fish available all make it a true jewel for the beginner, intermediate, and professional anglers.

Get out with an expert! Heels Recreational Fishing Services offers guided summer and winter fishing trips within central Ontario. In addition to offering custom packages for individuals and families, they offer corporate turn-key fishing events for your company or organization. Contact Heels Recreational Fishing Services, www.heelsrfs.com, to fish with the pros. It is guaranteed to be a fabulous day out on the water!

Boating and Sailing

Catch the wind in your sails on a sailboat tour around Kempenfelt Bay with Chances ‘R’ Sailing excursions - www.chancesrsailingexcursions.com. The ship awaits your arrival. Their stunning 38 ft Hunter sails as if it has wings. Sailing three times a day for periods of over two hours affords each passenger a great sailing experience. Participate in some hands on sailing of the vessel or kick back and relax. Either way, you can enjoy the beauty of the lakeshore of Barrie - a freshwater inlet that is one of the best in the world.

If you have your own boat, visit one of Barrie’s two yacht clubs for an evening ride or special event. Visit www.kbyc.ca for more information on the Kempenfelt Bay Yacht Club. They have a healthy social and competitive membership of both sail and power boats. New members and visitors are always welcome! Only steps away from great restaurants, boutiques, and lots of entertainment and nightlife, whether you are visiting for the weekend or here for the season, let KBYC show you all that they have to offer.

Additionally, visit www.barrieyachtclub.com for more on the Barrie Yacht Club. Registered as a not-for-profit association in 1952, the Barrie Yacht Club has a rich history of sailing and fellowship activities. Many talented sailors have developed their skills at BYC with the various programs they offer. In addition to organized racing, they offer numerous social events and courses, as well as providing access to picturesque Kempenfelt Bay.

Canoes, Kayaks, and SUPs

If you’re looking for a paddling adventure, stand up paddleboards (SUP), canoes, and kayaks are also available for rent at a couple locations. You can paddle your way out onto the beautiful Kempenfelt Bay for a magical experience on the water!

Happy Paddling, www.happypaddling.com, is led by the husband and wife team of Mike and Ann Valin, seasoned trip leaders, sea kayak/SUP instructors, as well as Adventure Smart Instructor/Trainers. They are supported by a team of other professional instructors and trip leaders, all carrying a passion and love for open spaces and new adventures, and are committed to making your new endeavour in the great outdoors safe, fun, and enjoyable.

You can also try stand up paddleboarding out on the beautiful Kempenfelt Bay of Lake Simcoe with Northern SUP, www.northernsup.com. They are a multi-dimensional fitness and recreation business, exploring the waters in and around Barrie, Wasaga Beach, and Georgian Bay by paddle. Whether they are giving SUP lessons, providing rentals, or discovering the area through Adventure Tours, Northern SUP is on the water and loving every minute! Take a lesson, tour, or rent a paddleboard and try it yourself. Barrie is home to three beaches - Johnson's Beach, Centennial Beach, and Minet's Point Beach. Rent all the equipment you need here in Barrie this summer! There is no better way to truly experience Barrie than from its lakeside.

Diving

The deep, clear waters also provide an excellent opportunity to scuba dive. Dive in and explore the long forgotten shipwreck J.C. Morrison just off of Centennial Beach. The wreck of the J.C. Morrison is one of the most popular dive sites in the southern Ontario region. It is within an hour's drive of Toronto, and has plenty of room to allow divers to get geared up on shore. Typically done as a shore dive, it is a 10 minute swim out to the wreck, guided by a line that runs from shore. On a good day, there is great visibility making for a fantastic activity and a very popular diving area. Explore the depth of Barrie's history with a great adventure under Kempenfelt Bay with the historic J. C. Morrison.

Additionally, Barrie offers transient docking, as well as two public boat launches located at the bottom of Tiffin Street and another next to the City Marina, near the public docks, on Lakeshore Drive.

For everything you need to plan your next Barrie getaway, please visit www.tourismbarrie.com.