Around the Corner and a World Away
February 12, 2026
Outer Harbour Marina, operated by the Toronto Port Authority, offers a cottage-like escape without the highway. With rarely offered slips available in 2026, now is the time to visit this hidden gem.
As the 2026 season approaches, Outer Harbour Marina feels quietly refreshed. Tucked away beside Tommy Thompson Park, it’s a place many Toronto boaters know well, and just as many are still surprised to discover. “Around the corner and a world away” has long been a favourite way to describe it, and that sense of escape remains very much intact.
This year brings a few thoughtful updates to daily marina life, as Outer Harbour Marina has brought in new amenities to become truly full service. Added in 2025, The Dock Shoppe offers convenient access to common boat supplies and collectibles, while The Cottage convenience store—also introduced last season—makes it easy to grab everyday essentials. Together with the longtime feature Marina Café, these amenities make it easier to linger, whether that’s over a morning coffee, a pastry or a quick shop between outings. Now, boaters have everything they need right at arm’s reach. Over the summer months, the marina will also host relaxed community programming, including outdoor yoga and Pilates sessions on land, along with rotating pop-ups and visiting food trucks.
With more than 600 slips, Outer Harbour Marina is one of the largest freshwater marinas in Canada, yet it rarely feels busy. Its unique location stretching down a narrow spit of land offers sweeping views in two directions: the downtown skyline glowing at night on one side, and the Toronto Islands and newly opened Bidaasige Park on the other. Calm, sheltered waters make it especially inviting for newer boaters, while Lake Ontario is only a quick turn away for those ready to head out.
The marina accommodates everything from personal watercraft to 80-foot yachts, with wide slips, floating docks and staff support shaped by decades of hands-on experience. For those looking for added peace of mind, heated indoor winter storage—one of only two in the region—means boats are cared for year-round, alongside outdoor storage options monitored throughout the off-season.
Despite being just minutes from downtown, midtown, Leslieville, Corktown and the Beach, arriving at Outer Harbour Marina feels like leaving the city behind. Once you turn onto the drive, traffic noise fades, green space opens up and the water does what it always does best: slows things down.
For many boaters, it’s the closest thing to having a cottage in the city. There’s no need to battle highway traffic or plan around long weekends in cottage country. Instead, the rhythms of summer unfold right here—early mornings on the dock, quiet afternoons on the water, and evenings watching the skyline light up—offering the same sense of retreat, without the tiresome drive.
Outer Harbour Marina has long been a place where slips are passed down and familiar faces return season after season, with availability rarely opening up. This year, however, marks a moment of change, with an opportunity to welcome new members of the boating community and offer space to those looking for a new home on the water.
More than anything, the marina is defined by its sense of ease. There’s room to move, room to breathe and room for a community of boaters at every stage sharing the water, the views and a quieter side of Toronto that still feels like a secret.
