Island adventures are calling! And we’re not talking about the ones down south but rather those on Lake Ontario. If you happen to find yourself in Ontario’s Limestone city, that’s where you’ll find the first island of the world-renowned Thousand Islands, located just at the entrance of the St Lawrence River. Wolfe Island is a quick ferry ride away, home to a secluded beach and small village.

Located about three hours east of Toronto is Kingston, Ontario. From here you’ll need to embark on a 20-minute journey to reach Wolfe Island.

Head to the Kingston Dock either by foot or car and jump on the Wolfe Islander III: Ferry. You’ll get off at the Dawson Point Dock which is a five minute drive away from Marysville, the island’s local community.

According to Destination Ontario, Wolfe Island is the largest of the Thousand Islands and is known for having many white wind turbines. “The island is 29 kilometres long and forms part of Frontenac County and the Township of Frontenac Islands,” shares the site.

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“The island’s largest community is the town of Marysville, known for its main street lined with cafes, bakeries, restaurants and independent shops.”

If you’re in need of some eats, the small village offers a handful of cafes, bakeries, restaurants and shops to enjoy. There are also hotels and bed and breakfasts if you decide to stay for a night or two.

Wolfe Island is a cyclists’ paradise in the summer season, as the entire island is covered by four main cycle routes, according to Destination Ontario.

“The Red Route, for example, is the longest at 58 km and meanders through rural farmland. The Yellow Route is shorter at 18 kilometres and follows the shore of Lake Ontario,” shares the County of Frontenac.

For a real adventure, venture along its fifth route, the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail Wolfe Island Route. It spans 40 KM and is part of the massive route which travels 3000 km, connecting 170 communities and First Nations along the Canadian shores of the Great Lakes region.

Besides cycling, in the summer a trip to Big Sandy Bay is a must. This is a secluded beach, away from busy crowds,

“The extraordinary beauty and natural diversity of this ecological jewel in the southwest corner of Wolfe Island provides a wonderful escape,” shares Visit Kingston.

“Many visitors come to recharge and refresh with the uncluttered expanse of bay and sky. Visitors can commune with nature, watch birds and enjoy the beautiful secluded sand beach.”

If you want to extend your adventure, there is a 10-minute ferry that will take you to Simcoe Island which is a smaller island on the west side of Wolfe Island. You can also hop on another 10-minute seasonal ferry, which operates from spring to fall, that takes you to Cape Vincent, New York.

Fees for the Horne’s Ferry start at $5. You can see the full price list here.

Though in every season, there are fun adventures and experiences to partake in while visiting Wolfe Island. A chilli fest, corn maze, races, holiday performances and even a plowing match.

Whenever you get the chance to visit Wolfe Island, you are surely in for a treat.

We’ll meet you there!

Karen Doradea

Karen Doradea

Managing Editor, Toronto – Karen is a multimedia journalist based in Toronto. With a strong knowledge of reporting and editing through all forms of media, she has a true passion for storytelling. She carries several years of journalistic experience and has covered the Toronto scene from local stories to national news. When Karen isn’t publishing fire content, you can find her binge-watching sitcoms on Crave, at a must-try restaurant, or scrolling endlessly on TikTok looking for the next best thing – News never sleeps.

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