Great Lakes Boating Destination: Sodus Point, NY

Published: Monday, August 29, 2022 12:00 pm
By: Dresden Engle

The village of Sodus Point is located on the shores of Lake Ontario at the mouth of Great Sodus Bay — the largest bay on this Great Lake, at 4.4 miles long and 2.5 miles wide. The resort area has been welcoming visitors for well over a century and has kept the charm of yesteryear through its Victorian B&Bs, restaurants in vintage buildings, and warm feelings of small-town America.

Boating on Silver Waters

Sodus Point offers a two-punch in boating adventure. The bay provides a smaller-lake feel and eye-candy experience with rich greenery, three islands to navigate around, and picturesque homes lining the shores and two peninsulas of Sodus Point.

The village has three public marinas (with showers), a yacht club and junior sailing association, the new Sodus Bay Outfitters (which rents kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards, plus can sell you all the groceries, gear, and gifts you want and need), and the new Freedom Boat Club, which rents motorized crafts.

Ideally located off the beaten path, north of major roadways, the busiest thoroughfare at Sodus Point is the channel connecting Lake Ontario with Sodus Bay. Yachts, sailboats, pontoon boats, jet skis, canoes, and kayaks traverse the bay named “Assorodous” (modern translation: Sodus) by the Iroquois as “Land of Silver Waters.” One glance at the shimmering water readily explains why that name was given.

Sodus Point is officially part of New York’s Finger Lakes region and is midway between two medium-sized cities, Rochester and Syracuse. Quick road trips from Sodus Point provide more wineries, waterfalls, and waterways than one can endure.

But, frankly, there is no need to venture from Sodus Point since the village delivers waterfront views unfold at every turn and magical boating experiences, as well as fishing for bass, pike, trout, salmon, and more.

From the water looking east from Sodus Point, you can see one of two lighthouses plus the moonscape-conjuring Chimney Bluffs, a geological wonderment for the eyes that is wonderfully accessible to hikers and beachcombers. Looking west, you can see the picturesque stone historic lighthouse hovering over the cliffside.

History Immersed in Lake Ontario

Sodus Point’s rich history is directly related to its location on the shores of Lake Ontario. The history includes 19th-century happenings — the War of 1812, when the British crossed Lake Ontario from Canada, and the Underground Railroad when enslaved Americans crossed Lake Ontario to reach Canada.

The well-preserved Sodus Bay Lighthouse celebrates its 150th anniversary this year (origin date is 1871 but recognized this year due to Covid-canceled events). The lighthouse location is also a museum of local and American history and nautical adventures.

A centrally located visitors’ center at Sodus Point offers brochures and maps, including a self-guided walking tour.

Long Walks on the Beach

Another celebration for residents and visitors is the recent recognition in June 2022 of Sodus Point Beach as one of the top four “Best Preserved Beaches” in the nation. The others recognized by the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association are the Outer Banks beach in North Carolina, a beach along the Massachusetts shoreline, and Waikiki Beach in Hawaii.

The man-made beach was created in 1833 to stabilize the lake’s entrance to the bay. The recent Sodus Point Beach Project was initiated to address the continued flattening of the beach as sand washed and blew up shore. The work involved harnessing natural means to widen the beach and meet flood-protection goals. The community was energetically engaged, and many volunteered to plant grass on newly created dunes.

Food, Fun, and Nightlife

The resort village has a variety of restaurants on and off the water, plus pubs and clubs that offer live music and dancing. Locally crafted beer, wine, and cider are plentifully poured year-round, and menus feature locally sourced foods.

Summer brings an outdoor concert series to the Sodus Bay Lighthouse Museum, and fireworks light the skies to celebrate the Fourth of July and Labor Day. A new summer event, Sodus Point Splash, launched this past August and will return in 2023, with bands on the beach, an art fair, and family activities.

Sodus Point is built and ready to serve visitors, welcoming all to its silvery waters that provide gold-medal-worthy boating adventures and tourism experiences.