Jernie's Hub

The Toronto Islands are a chain of small islands in Lake Ontario. The most popular ones are the Centre Island, the Ward's Island and the Hanlan's Point.

The Centre Island hosts Centreville, a children's amusement park. There are several swimming beaches on the islands, including Centre Island Beach, Gibraltar Point Beach, Hanlan's Point Beach (which includes a recognized 'clothing optional' section) and Ward's Island Beach. Also, the Toronto City Center Airport lies at the north-western tip of the Islands.

Recreational boating is also popular on the islands. Hence, the Islands are home to the Island Yacht Club, Queen City Yacht Club and the Royal Canadian Yacht Club. There is a public marina, the Toronto Island Marina, and several smaller clubs including the Toronto Island Sailing Club, the Sunfish Cut Boat Club and the Toronto Island Canoe Club. There is also a dragon boat regatta course and grandstand.

You can check this website link for more detailed information on Toronto Islands: http://www.toronto.ca/parks/island/index.htm



As we sail off to the islands, the view of Toronto waterfront and skyline looks amazing.

The view when we were approaching the Centre Island.

Just after few minutes we disembarked the ferry and headed towards the park area to relax and enjoy the soothing atmosphere of the waterfront. This place is certainly beautiful; pretty landscape, the recreational land and water activities available, a long stretch of beaches, park areas where people can rest, play and have family picnic/barbeque.

The Manitou Beach
The Pier
Manitou Beach

We spent some time at the beach area and subsequently decided to go for canoeing.

The Boat House located south-east of Centreville amusement park offers canoe, rowboat, paddles, kayak, pedal boat rentals. One can pay with a credit card or cash, with cash payment they require to leave an identification card with them. For the canoe rental, we paid CAD 20 per person per hour. Since all the canoes were taken at that moment, we were advised to make a reservation and wait for specified time. I was quite concerned to take my bag with us in the canoe so I was looking for a safety place to deposit our things. Lockers are provided in the Boat House for CAD 2.00. We hopped into the canoe with our vests on. My friend, Maricel volunteered to steer the boat. I thought I could also do it but after so many years, I wasn't sure if I could still do it well.

The Boat House

In my hometown Loreto (Dinagat Island), we learned to paddle a boat and swim at our very early years. Our house lies right next to the river leading to the open sea. We didn't have formal swimming lessons though, but good enough to stay afloat and to swim from a distance to the shore. Wearing a vest was not even available to us then.

Anyway as we started to navigate, our childhood memories came rushing to our minds. Paddling a boat is very much a part of our lives. Each time we go to the farm and to visit the fish coral, we have to take the boat. We had a good laugh talking about those good old days. We covered quite a distance for an hour. Certainly, we had so much fun.

The Cabel Cars above
The Royal Canadian Yacht Club



After the boat ride, we went to the Centreville to take the cable car ride. A good retreat from a strenuous canoeing. The ticket costed CAD 4.75 per person. It was a relaxing ride.

From there we went to the Olympic Island for the photo sessions. I didn't know that Maricel is a photography enthusiast. She had her camera, various lenses and a tripod. She has no choice but to take me as her model. We spent the rest of the evening taking photos. Until now, I don't know if I had given justice to her photography as I haven't seen the photos yet.

The Toronto Skyline from the Olympic Island

Ferry sailing off to Toronto

We took the ferry back to Toronto at around 8pm. It was such a great trip.