In simple terms, a waypoint is a saved digital marker representing a precise geographic location, defined by latitude and longitude. On marine GPS units or marine navigation apps, waypoints appear as points that you have specifically selected and stored, allowing you to easily return to them or navigate around them in the future. Commonly used waypoint locations include favorite fishing areas, marinas, channel entrances, hazards such as rocks or wreckage, safe anchorages, and scenic spots worth revisiting.

Waypoints have revolutionized marine navigation, replacing traditional reliance on visual references or paper charts. Before electronic waypoint navigation, mariners had to depend on visual landmarks, compass bearings, and extensive plotting on charts. Now, waypoints make navigation easy and precise by clearly indicating critical positions at a glance. Because waypoints remain stored digitally, boaters can revisit the exact same locations repeatedly, ensuring accuracy and consistency each time they travel.

Between regattas, tall ship festivals, and vintage boat shows, there are dozens of opportunities to boat-up to waterfront events in Ontario and Quebec. The Vintage Boat Show in Gravenhurst, for instance, brings over 120 classic vessels to the heart of wooden boat country. On a larger scale, tall ships are scheduled to visit Toronto, Midland Harbour, Brockville, and Quebec City this summer.  

To maximize enjoyment at these epic events, plan ahead for crowded harbors:

• Bring enough fenders to raft up against other boats.
• Pack extra line to anchor in deeper areas offshore.
• Look into Uber or shuttle services from alternative marinas.
• Bring extra fuel and provisions in case you can’t get ashore to restock or refuel.

Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River, Georgian Bay, and other area waterways are known for sudden weather changes that often bring strong winds, big temperature swings, and related complications. 

• Check the weather forecast before departing, and monitor conditions while you’re on the water—visually and on a weather radio. 
• Prepare for adverse conditions—ranging from fog and limited visibility to lightning and violent winds. 
• Add a “plan B” to your float plan—with coves, marinas, and other places along your route to take shelter or even go ashore quickly if needed.

The combination of tight passages, seasonal traffic, and strong currents typically affects boating travel times in Quebec and Ontario. Some narrow channels in Georgian Bay, for instance, only allow for one-way traffic when larger watercraft are present. Expect some instances where you will need to pause and enjoy the majestic scenery while waiting for sightseeing boats and other large vessels to exit narrow corridors.

Strong river currents may also affect your itinerary, particularly if you’re traveling upstream. Even under ideal conditions, the St. Lawrence, for instance, is no “lazy river.” Boaters frequently encounter strong winds and tidal currents near the river’s estuary. Strong currents are also common near lock openings, bridges, and other narrow areas along the Rideau Canal and the Ottawa River. Plan ahead and pad your ETA to allow for currents, wind, and lock traffic. 

• For more information, check out:

• • Top Ten Beginner-Friendly Tips For Navigating The 1000 Islands

An extensive network of buoys, markers, and beacons helps boaters navigate waterways in Ontario and Quebec safely and with confidence. Understanding the ins and outs of lateral buoys, cardinal buoys, and special buoys can make a huge difference. These markers help boaters find safe channels, follow restrictions, and steer clear of hidden hazards.

Lateral buoys are the familiar red and green markers that designate the sides of a channel. Even though they may vary between floating buoys and stationary signs—with or without flashing beacons—red and green navigation markers have the same meaning throughout North American waterways:

• Red markers indicate the starboard (right) side of the channel when boats are returning to the harbour from open water and/or heading upstream against the current. Pro Tip: Remember the three “Rs” for “RED, RIGHT, RETURNING.”
• Green markers designate the port (left) side of the channel when boats are heading upstream or returning to the harbour from open water.
• When in doubt, look for the red and green buoys and guide your boat between them. Or follow this rhyme to keep your boat in a safe channel: “RED AND GREEN, STAY IN BETWEEN.”

In large bodies of water, like Lake Ontario and Lake Huron, boaters may not see another red or green channel buoy until they return to the marina. But they’re a big help in narrow passages and other areas where there is a risk of running aground.

Cardinal buoys help boaters navigate safely around shallow water and other hazards. These distinctive yellow and black markers indicate the safest direction to travel based on “cardinal” points: north, south, east, and west. After confirming the directional orientation of the buoy with a compass or GPS unit, remember to avoid the water on the opposite side because that’s where the danger lies.

• North Buoy: Means the safest water is to the north of the buoy. The top is marked by two black arrows pointing upwards and a black (top) over yellow (bottom) color scheme.
• South Buoy: Signals that the safest water lies to the south. It has two black cones pointing downwards and features yellow (top) over black (bottom) coloring.
• East Buoy: Shows that the safest water is to the east. The top of the buoy has two black arrow pointing away from each other, like a diamond—with a black (top), yellow (middle), and black (bottom) color pattern.
• West Buoy: Indicates that the safest water is to the west. Topped with two black cones pointing towards each other (tip to tip) like an hourglass, it’s marked with yellow (top), black (middle), and yellow (bottom) coloring.

Special buoys come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors—each with a specific purpose to help boaters stay safe on the water. They mark hazards and highlight restrictions and designated areas, making navigation easier and safer for everyone. These include: 

• Caution Buoys: Typically yellow markers that warn of potential dangers or unusual conditions ahead, such as underwater structures or strong currents.
• Hazard Buoys: Usually orange-and-white cylindrical buoys that mark specific hazards like rocks, reefs, or shallow areas. Pro Tip: Keep an eye out for floating Javex bleach bottles. In some areas, they’re used to warn boaters about shoals and other hidden underwater dangers.
• Anchorage Buoys: Yellow buoys with anchor symbols that designate safe areas for anchoring.
• Mooring Buoys: Provide a secure spot to moor a boat. They’re typically white with either a blue or orange stripe.
• Control Buoys: Display specific information or instructions—such as speed limits or restrictions. 

For more information on navigation buoys, see Buoys, Beacons, and Lights, Oh My on the Wavve Boating Blog.

In addition to boating speed limits and no-wake zones, be aware of marine protected areas (MPAs) throughout Ontario and Quebec. Boating restrictions are enforced in these designated areas to help minimize human impact on marine life and other sensitive habitats. 

Common boating restrictions include:

• No-anchoring areas
• Approach distances for whales, dolphins, and porpoises
• No-take zones—fishing, hunting, and all other resource removal is prohibited
• No-stay zones—anchoring and fishing is prohibited
• Access restrictions and/or designated boating corridors
• Speed limits
• No-wake zones

In Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park, for instance, boat speed and noise restrictions are enforced during whale breeding and feeding season, which runs from May 1 to Halloween. Boaters must also maintain a 400-meter distance from Beluga and Blue whales during that period. Note: throughout Canada, boaters must slow down to 10 knots and keep a 100-meter buffer from all other whales, dolphins, and porpoises on a year-round basis—but a good rule of thumb is to maintain a 200-to 300-meter cushion. 

If you’re boating in Ontario’s Fathom Five National Marine Park, anchoring is prohibited in designated areas to protect the park’s underwater vegetation and shipwrecks. Speed restrictions and no-wake zones are also in place to protect swimmers and divers and to minimize disruption to wildlife and prevent shoreline erosion. 

Boating restrictions near the Kingston Inner Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary along Lake Ontario are designed to minimize disturbances to the nearly 150 species of migratory birds that nest in the area. Boaters must maintain a distance of at least 140 meters from any shoreline or island within the sanctuary, and that includes anchoring or docking.    

Outside of MPAs, there are also speed and no-wake restrictions throughout the region. Unless otherwise posted, speed and no-wake restrictions generally apply to areas within 30 meters of the shore, dropping the maximum speed to 5 knots. This common rule helps to protect swimmers and docked or moored watercraft and prevent shoreline erosion. Remember to monitor your navigational app and keep an eye out for signs, buoys, and markers that designate restrictions.

Navigating locks and moveable bridges in Ontario and Quebec opens up a broader network of waterways to explore, and it adds to your adventures. By knowing basic bridge and lock protocols, you can arrive prepared and remove uncertainty and stress from the equation.  

Here are some keys for transiting locks and moveable bridges like a pro:

• Check the operating hours for all moveable bridges and locks on your route. Confirm   whether they follow a schedule or operate on demand.
• Plan ahead for delays. Bridges frequently need 5-to-10 minutes to open. And expect most locks to require 15-to-45 minutes to clear. Plus, commercial shipping vessels move to the front of the line on the St. Lawrence River locks, regardless of when recreational boats arrive.
• Purchase lock passes online to avoid the stress and delays from paying at the locks.
• Bring extra fenders to protect your boat from lock walls and other watercraft if you need to raft-up in the lock
• Learn how to notify the bridge tender or lockmaster to request a bridge or lock opening. Some facilities use horn blasts while others use VHF radios or phones.
• Approach all bridges and locks cautiously. Follow any posted signage and signals, and adhere to staff instructions to ensure safe passage. Pro Tip: Expect strong currents where channels narrow around the bases of bridges and while entering and exiting locks.
•  Follow protocol to queue up at bridges and locks. Vessels line up in order of priority:

1.     Military and emergency watercraft
2.     Government vessels
3.     Commercial vessels
4.     Recreational watercraft

• Enter and exit locks and moveable bridge areas slowly, remembering to avoid creating a wake. 

• Don’t be “that boater”—maintain patience, especially during busy periods with multiple boats transiting at once.

For more information on locking through, see Tips on Navigating Locks on the Wavve Boating Blog.

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About Wavve Boating

Founded in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, Wavve Boating (Wavve) is a mobile application designed for the recreational boater. With nautical charts from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration and Canadian Hydrographic Services, Wavve has been growing their consumer base across North America since May of 2018. Available on all Apple and Android devices, Wavve offers a simple platform so anyone can boat like a local. For more information visit https://wavveboating.com.