Toronto Centre Island Trip and Toronto Dragon Boat Festival

Toronto Dragon Boat Festival is an annual event held on the quiet, relaxing, beautiful Toronto Islands which are just a short ferry ride away from the city’s downtown core.

The Toronto mainland dock is near the base of Bay Street, south of Queens Quay. You can get there by subway to Union Station and get on a southbound streetcar, either the 509 or 510.

There is a central dock on the Toronto mainland from which three ferry routes serve the islands. One goes to Hanlan’s Point, one goes to Centre Island and the third goes to Ward’s Island. You can walk between the three docks on the islands. So you can’t really take the wrong ferry.

Ferry between Toronto and Centre Islands

You may also take a ferry taxi to the islands and this is your only option when ferry workers are on strike.
Toronto Skyline and Water Taxi




Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario

Ducks
Ducks Jump into Lake Ontario Following Mom

Sailing on Lake Ontario
Sailing on Lake Ontario

Toronto Centre Island Beach
Toronto Centre Island Beach

There are changing/shower facilities by the beach.
Beach on Toronto Centre Island

Toronto Dragon Boat Festival is a two-day event that combine the excitement and competition of dragon boat races, multi-cultural food and entertainment and community spirit.

Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival is organized by the Toronto Chinese Business Association in collaboration with GWN Dragon Boat. Each year, the Festival welcome 120-150 teams with over 5,000 athletes to Toronto Island.

Free cultural entertainment and great food are highlights of the festival for me.


LOCATION
Address: The Dragon Boat Festival takes place on Toronto Island. Access via a short ferry ride from the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal.

Jack Layton Ferry Terminal:

9 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON M5J 2H3 (at the foot of Bay St at Queens Quay, just west of the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel)

Participants to take the passenger ferry to Centre Island. On Saturday, the ferry will start at 6:00 AM and every 30 minutes after OR the ferry will depart whenever it is fully loaded. On Sunday the ferry will leave at 6:30 AM and every 30 min after.