Border Programs & Licenses
Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC):
Boat operators require proof of competency to operate a boat in Canada. Proof of competency can be one of: Pleasure Craft Operator Card that meets the requirements of the U.S.A. or your home state. The "Boat Safety Course completion card is recognized in both Canada and the U.S.
NEXUS card:
This program is a bi-national, Canada-United States agreement for pre-approved, low-risk travelers entering Canada or the U.S. by air, land, and marine ports of entry. A Nexus card allows faster processing by CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) and CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection), for faster border crossings. Boaters can call a Telephone Reporting Centre (TRC) 30 minutes (minimum) to 4 hours (maximum) prior to arrival in Canada. Everyone in the boat must be a NEXUS member, otherwise regular reporting procedures must be followed. (A NEXUS card can be used instead of a passport when entering the U.S. by land or water.)
To cruise Canada:
You MUST HAS A PASSPORT and we highly recommend getting a NEXIS card. The NEXIS card will make everything so much easier!
U.S. Citizens entering Canada:
Americans require photo ID and proof of citizenship to enter Canada. More important - Americans returning home must have additional identification to comply with U.S. rules. American citizens may be refused entry to Canada due to criminal, security lists or medical reasons.
Designated Reporting Stations:
The captain of a boat arriving in Canada must report to Canadian Border Services Agency immediately upon arrival at designated reporting stations. As a convenience, many marinas are eligible and have instructions posted by the docks with toll-free phone number to call. It is illegal to dock or anchor in Canadian waters before checking in. Kingston Mills, the first Rideau Canal lock, is an official "Canada Customs Telephone Report Site", where you can receive a Customs Report number - as long as it's your first stop after entering Canadian waters.
Boat Papers:
Have your boat license or registration information, and full names, citizenship, birth dates, and addresses of all persons on board. You may also require vaccination papers for pets. You should be prepared to wait for an inspector or to move your boat to another location if required. Be sure to keep all passengers on board until you have cleared entry procedures. Make an entry in your ship's log with date, agent's name, location of entry, and clearance number for reference in any future disputes. You can phone Canadian Customs, part of Revenue Canada, toll free at 1-800-265-5633 24 hours a day.
It's recommended to fly your vessel's national flag at the stern when reporting. You may also fly a yellow quarantine flag at the starboard spreader or radio mast. A Canadian courtesy flag worn by foreign boats is always appreciated.
The Captain and Passengers:
U.S. citizens should arrive with boat "papers" and photo ID. Other foreigners must carry their national passport and a visitor's visa where required. Canadian "landed immigrants" must carry the Permanent Resident Card to re-enter Canada after travelling outside Canada.
Guns:
Most guns and weapons are prohibited from being brought into Canada. Anyone who enters with a gun, and does not declare it to the CBSA can face prosecution, and the firearms, and vehicle used to carry them, may be seized.
Holding Tanks (black water):
Many provinces (like Ontario) have laws that require boats to have a holding tank and pump-out deck fitting connected to toilets on board. There are no gray water (sink water) laws in Canada.
Phone access:
When entering Canada, Canada Border Services Agency officers can request phone passwords, but cannot access information stored "remotely or online". Refusal means the device could be "detained for a forensic examination". (When entering the U.S.A., border agents cannot force you to unlock a phone, but could detain you or even seize your device if you refuse. And if you're a Canadian, they have the authority to refuse you entry.)
Things to remember:
Have the required paperwork for the boat and all passengers before you arrive. When reporting at the border, just answer yes or no unless asked for details. Agents are trained to detect lies, so just tell the truth. Canadian border agents are only concerned about what you bring into Canada - guns and certain foods are not allowed. Do not attempt to be friendly or make jokes. Check the latest rules before you travel.
Cruising Canada - Most Looper's favorite section of the Grea
PETERBOURGH HYDRALIC LOCK
THE BIG CHUTE MARINE RAILROAD
Leaving the Erie & Oswego Canals, crossing 52-miles along Lake Ontario thru the Thousand Islands, to Kingston, you will notice dramatic changes in the water as well as the landscape. From the Trent Severn thru Georgian Bay & the North Channel to Mackinac Island in the USA, it will appear you are in a whole different Country. You are! If you select to detour & side trip to Ottawa and Montreal, it becomes a 'Twight Zone' experience as you will believe your vessel magically transported you to Europe. It is all so close, but seemingly so far away, and a whole new cruising experience. While we don't wish to take anything way from the wonderful experience of cruising the Erie Canal to Buffalo and the Great Lakes, we can't help but highly recommending cruising Canada.
Along the Trent Severn, you can dock your boat right in front of the door on this one. It is as close to a 'Drive-thru window' for boaters as any place can get. We approve so much we've never passed it up without stopping for some Ice Cream.
Fact is fishermen from all over the world pay some really big bucks for "Fly in fishing, cabin & boat rental packages" to come here just for a weeklong experience so the best freshwater fishing in the world. It's true, nothing beats the taste of a fresh caught walleye cooked and eaten right at the shore. Georgian Bay is a prime fishing for Walleye, Lake Trout, Salmon, Rainbow trout and Brown trout. Walleye is also the most sought-after fish in Georgian Bay, and we thin it is the best tasting fish one can ever eat.
Cruising just doesn't get any better than this! Clean, crisp cool clear waters, beautiful Islands, landscapes and sunsets, fabulous anchorages, and great fishing (if you are so inclined).
YOU NEED A PASSPORT OR NEXIS CARD
Confederation Park City Marina - This is the preferred marina for Loopers. It is large, centrally located and just steps from Kingston’s downtown with its many restaurants, pubs, and shopping. You should call reservation in 24 hours in advance. This is a very popular marina that can be very busy. Washrooms, showers, and laundry are available as well as a convenience store. There are no fuel or service facilities. Kingston's most famous attraction is Fort Henry and a waterfront Marine Museum. Where to eat? – The Red House – it’s a hand’s down winner!
PETERBOURGH LOCK
Peterborough is home to the world’s highest hydraulic lift lock, a must-see location along the Trent-Severn Waterway. It is also the home of the world’s largest collection of canoes, kayaks in the world, the Canadian Canoe Museum. Long known for local food favorites, the region is home to 350 restaurants. We strongly suggest the Peterborough Marina and a plan to stop, shop and linger here for at least 2 days.
THE BIG CHUTE
Big Chute, Lock 44 The Big Chute Marine Railway at Mile 232.5 is 35-miles from Orillia. The Big Chute is the only marine railway in North America. It is 100 feet long and 24 feet wide. It works like a big cradle on railroad tracks to carry boats up and over a land mass. Plan on adding about 4 hours to your cruising day just to transit the Big Chute Railway. Much like a Lock, boats simply enter the cradle and into waiting straps which are like those you see on a travel lift. Once the boats are loaded into the straps, the cradle carrying the boat lifts the boat out of the water and over the land and lowers it back down in the water on the other side.
The Trent-Severn has a controlling depth of 6’ and a height of 22’. However, if your draft runs deeper than 5’, you risk not being permitted in. Loopers should plan on 8 to 10 travel days to make it from Trenton to Georgian Bay. The greatest influence on your time and distance traveled will be your wait time and time spent locking through all the Locks. The actual speed capability of your vessel will (for the most part) not make your voyage any faster. It will however increase your wait time at most of the locks.
GEORGIAN BAY
Georgian Bay promises to be nothing like the waters you’ve cruised before. The entire area is overwhelmingly beautiful. Most Loopers report Georgian Bay and North Channel not only the most spectacular, but also their very favorite portion of the entire Great Loop. Cruising from Kingston through the Trent-Severn, Georgian Bay and Canada’s North Channel is always one the major area every Looper claims as their favorite.
Georgian Bay and the North Channel open a whole new cruising environment. Here you have hundreds of incredible destinations which include some of the most beautiful anchorages the in world.
It's impossible to identify what makes an ideal cruise when one is cruising through the most ideal waters in the world. "The Looper's Companion Guide" directs you across and right through it on the very safest route to the very safest destinations. The route follows what is known (and charted) as, “Georgian Bay’s Small Craft Channel”. The scenery is breathtaking and will take you safely west along the north coast of Georgina Bay and North Channel. Summer just doesn't last long enough this far north, so remember we must all be south of Chicago (our only access to the inland rivers) before the end of October as the Harbor & Locks normally close for winter on October 31, possibly earlier depending on the weather.
Some places on America's Great Loop you just have to get off your boat and explore. Midland is one of a hundred of them. Midland, near the exit from Trent-Severn Waterway, is the starting point for your route across Georgian Bay to the North Channel. It is an amazing place to visit. From Wall Murals to a Butter Tart Festival, Midland is also famous for its Maple Syrup and 'The Royal Tea' is a British shop we always stop at. Leaving Midland, the route will take you along the north coast between the islands west to Killarney where the North channel begins. Along the way we will visit eight of the most popular and amazing destinations on this 165-mile journey from Port Severn to Killarney.
Killarney is your Gateway to the North Channel. It is a small boating community located on a ‘small craft’ channel. It is also on a more direct route from Lake Huron, as a result, don’t be surprised to see some mega yachts when you arrive. Sadly, these big babies are too big to cruise the Loop; they come straight up from the open waters of Lakes Huron & Michigan. This is a great stop with lots to see and do. Whatever you do, you must stop at Herbert Fisheries. It is a top ten fish & chip restaurants in Canada!
KILLARNEY TO LITTLE CURRENT IS only 24-miles, but you will cruise through the most beautiful and peaceful Benjamin Island anchorages on your way, and we highly encourage spending a night or two at anchor.
No mention of Little Current is complete without a salute to Roy Eaton and his "Cruisers' Net" which broadcasts each morning on VHF 71 from the Anchor Inn during July and August. Roy’s Cruisers' Net provides marine weather forecasts, local and international news, sports, and community. Loopers can call in their positions and local conditions and relay messages to others. Operating out of the 2nd floor of the Anchor Inn, Loopers are encouraged to visit.