Harbourfront Canoe & Kayak Centre — Attraction in Toronto

My partner and I rented a tandem Kayak for two hours, plus an extra half an hour to get back to the Harbour. We made it there on time but it took us at least 30-40 minutes to be on our way. After we got our life jackets, we were waiting around to get someone to help us into a kayak while there was a group of staff just sitting a few feet away from us socializing with each other. It took at least five minutes for one of them to leave and run over the instructions with us and get us a kayak. We finally got on the kayak, but one of the pedals connected to the rudder just fell out while we were heading to the lake, so we had to go back. The employee tried to talk us into fixing the pedal ourselves and riding the same kayak while acknowledging that the pedal could fall out again, which I, frankly speaking, thought was ridiculous. They did end up getting us a new kayak, but, by that point, we were pretty disappointed with the lack of professionalism displayed by the employees.

For 2.5 hour rental, I don't regret paying $60, I think the price is reasonable. However, I will not be renting kayak from here again, as I found the staff to be unprofessional and lacking in enthusiasm to provide good service. Also, the fact that they were renting out a kayak without checking the pedals for the rudder are fully intact is just careless. I would not recommend renting from here, it might be better to seek other options available at the...

Amazing, independent kayaking experience here. They give you some guidelines and send you on your way to explore Toronto Island as you wish. We spent two hours which was enough for me but not enough for my more adventurous partner.

Of course, being out there for some time all you can smell and taste is salt. I get motion sickness on the road and on water - I was fine until we started our journey back to the Harbourfront area (about 1.45 hrs in to our time). I would do this again, solo or tandem, and also try the paddle boarding experience available on the island. 🚣🏽‍♂️

You can bring your belongings with you; they give you waterproof bags large enough for jackets, cellphones, backpacks, purses (but why bring all that stuff anyway! #Minimalist). Before sending you out they ask you to do a practice turn: easy stuff. But it’s also ‘easy’ to drift out of range and end up in the no boat zone where the Billy Bishop planes descend to land. Don’t do that, and don’t let the waves put you there either. 🌊

Sessions are only available when the weather allows for safe kayaking/canoeing. There are gendered pin-protected bathrooms on site behind the “sign-in” kiosk. There is also a helpline you can call if you require assistance while you’re out on the lake.

Great experience overall, and really great activity to instil/improve kids’...

Terrible Owners - Only care about themselves.

I booked two tandem kayaks with them and had one person drop out. I emailed them multiple days in advanced to explain the situation and asked them if I should change my booking since my group was inexperienced. I said I would do whatever they recommended. They said it was fine and nothing needed to change. However, when I showed up they refused to give a tandem kayak for one person, which is understandable enough in retrospect. They swapped us to a 3 person canoe and said we would get a refund.

When arriving back on shore I received a new invoice which was now charging for two canoes and I went to discuss the refund at the shop. The owner and her husband were very aggressive, refused to take any ownership of the matter, and blamed me for everything. I was being calm and accepted that there must've been an error on both of our ends, but they just laughed and continued being full of themselves. They said they would apply a refund to so that I would leave.

Experience with the equipment was fine and as expected. The other employees were ok, but did not provide any guidance on procedures.

I would not recommend renting from here. It would be a better experience to rent from somewhere else and donate some money to someone who...