SUP Eco-Tours on Toronto Island offer a look into the natural world in Toronto's backyard.
We offer a breathtaking morning and sunset experiences through the lagoons of the Toronto Island with experienced guides with your choice of either SUP (defaults to touring board) or Kayak (defaults to recreational board). You will learn about Toronto & island history, ecology, paddling techniques, local flora & fauna and more. Minimum requirement for participation requires the ability to swim short distances and tread water even without a lifejacket on.
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NATURE IN THE CITY
Toronto Island is the only island chain in Western Lake Ontario, has a diverse collection of plants and wildlife, and holds deep history dating back to the first native American people. Did you know the location for Toronto, then called York, was chosen due to the prime natural harbour created by the Toronto Island, then a peninsula? The community of Wards and Algonquin Island is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Toronto and still houses descendants of the original inhabitants from the late 1800's. If you enjoy watching nature you don't have to go far out of the city. Toronto Island is in the middle of 2 major migratory bird paths and hosts over 200 species of bird. If you're lucky, you may also see turtles, American Mink, beavers, and a large variety of fish on your adventure. The path takes us zigzagging through special areas denoted Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest and Environmentally Significant Areas for their important flora and fauna in the ecosystem. Check out the publication (left) for an explorers guide to the Toronto Island. |
TRIP DETAILS
We start the tour by checking in on everyone's ability level and adjust the experience to suit the groups needs. If we have more beginners to SUP and Kayak we may spend more time with the paddling basics.
Once we get a feel for the skill level of the group, we begin the experience! We start with our very own pollinator garden which is full of native plants that support our local pollinators. We are lucky to have a little wetland nearby full of cattails, great bulrush and other plants. Everyone will all receive the necessary safety gear and equipment and we head out on the water. We have a limited supply of binoculars to hand out if you do not have your own. We launch across the lagoon from Sunfish Cut Boat Club and Algonquin Island, home to some of the residents of the island and their watercraft. Next the group will travel at a leisurely pace up the lagoon to Sunfish Cut where we see breathtaking views of the city. This is a great spot for our talk on the history of Toronto and formation of the island. We will continue on and see a whole lot more before we get back to our launch location 2 hours later.
On our tour we will see 2 Environmentally Significant Areas, 2 yacht clubs, Algonquin Island homes, and have over 10 stops for talking points. To get the most out of your tour, talk to your guides and ask questions. Play a part in the convesation and let them know what interests you.
Once we get a feel for the skill level of the group, we begin the experience! We start with our very own pollinator garden which is full of native plants that support our local pollinators. We are lucky to have a little wetland nearby full of cattails, great bulrush and other plants. Everyone will all receive the necessary safety gear and equipment and we head out on the water. We have a limited supply of binoculars to hand out if you do not have your own. We launch across the lagoon from Sunfish Cut Boat Club and Algonquin Island, home to some of the residents of the island and their watercraft. Next the group will travel at a leisurely pace up the lagoon to Sunfish Cut where we see breathtaking views of the city. This is a great spot for our talk on the history of Toronto and formation of the island. We will continue on and see a whole lot more before we get back to our launch location 2 hours later.
On our tour we will see 2 Environmentally Significant Areas, 2 yacht clubs, Algonquin Island homes, and have over 10 stops for talking points. To get the most out of your tour, talk to your guides and ask questions. Play a part in the convesation and let them know what interests you.
Please arrive early to the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal to ensure you get here on time. Have small children? Toss them on board for free. We've got mini PFDs. Just let us know prior to arrival and we'll have them ready. We will meet you at meet-up location at the Algonquin Bridge. We will be on the water for roughly 2 hours. After the tour we encourage you to check out the island beaches, parks, neighborhood and restaurants in the area. The Contact page has all the details you need for getting here.
Please arrive changed and ready to go. There are public washroom facilities (big brick building) at the entrance to Wards Beach at the corner of Fifth Street and Lakeshore Avenue and also at the Fire Station at 235 Cibola Avenue. As with all TISUP experiences on the water, you must have the ability to tread water and swim short distances to partake.
You will receive an automatic email once you book outlining your next steps. If you don't receive the email (if it's sent to junk mail), click here for instructions. Please plan your trip. Be prepared to forfeit your experience with no refund if you do not arrive on time. If tour does not reach the minimum amount of guests, we may cancel. You will not be charged until a minimum of 2 people have signed up or we decide to run the tour.
Please arrive changed and ready to go. There are public washroom facilities (big brick building) at the entrance to Wards Beach at the corner of Fifth Street and Lakeshore Avenue and also at the Fire Station at 235 Cibola Avenue. As with all TISUP experiences on the water, you must have the ability to tread water and swim short distances to partake.
You will receive an automatic email once you book outlining your next steps. If you don't receive the email (if it's sent to junk mail), click here for instructions. Please plan your trip. Be prepared to forfeit your experience with no refund if you do not arrive on time. If tour does not reach the minimum amount of guests, we may cancel. You will not be charged until a minimum of 2 people have signed up or we decide to run the tour.
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