Houseboat rentals Trent-Severn Waterway and Kawartha Lakes
About Trent-Severn
Enjoy an unforgettable journey as you discover the history-filled paradise of the Trent-Severn Waterway and Kawartha Lakes
Embark on a captivating journey along the Trent-Severn Waterway and Kawartha Lakes, an enchanting natural paradise that unveils the true essence of Central Ontario. Stretching across 386 kilometers, the Trent-Severn Waterway presents a remarkable blend of natural wonders and engineering brilliance, captivating all who venture along its serene path. Begin your adventure at our Peterborough base, conveniently located just a short drive outside of Peterborough town along the Otonabee River. Whether you’re seeking a houseboat rental or a luxurious vessel from our fleet, prepare to relax and unwind as you absorb the area’s rich history and the tranquility of its picturesque towns and vibrant cities along your journey.
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Our base on the Trent-Severn Waterway is located along the Otonobee River, in Peterborough. Horseshoe Bay Marina, previously known to locals of the Peterborough area as Willow Bend Marina, has recently undergone a full refurbishment in time for our 2024 season opening. The location of our Peterborough base offers our customers an idyllic starting point for exploring the stunning waterways of the region. Situated roughly mid-way along the Trent-Severn Waterway, this base provides easy access to the vast network of lakes, rivers, and canals that the region has to offer. From here, our customers can embark on their epic cruising adventure, discovering the natural beauty of the Kawarthas and beyond.
Travel connections
- 3.3km Peterborough (CYPQ)
- 125km Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
- 7.4km Peterborough
Sounds interesting? Find out More
Our base on the Trent-Severn Waterway is located along the Otonobee River, in Peterborough. Horseshoe Bay Marina, previously known to locals of the Peterborough area as Willow Bend Marina, has recently undergone a full refurbishment in time for our 2024 season opening. The location of our Peterborough base offers our customers an idyllic starting point for exploring the stunning waterways of the region. Situated roughly mid-way along the Trent-Severn Waterway, this base provides easy access to the vast network of lakes, rivers, and canals that the region has to offer. From here, our customers can embark on their epic cruising adventure, discovering the natural beauty of the Kawarthas and beyond.
Travel connections
- 3.3km Peterborough (CYPQ)
- 125km Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
- 7.4km Peterborough
Sounds interesting? Find out More
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Trent-Severn map
Le Boat Base
Navigable waters
No navigation beyond this point
No license or experience required
Never handled a boat? You don’t need a license or prior experience to be the captain of your own houseboat. Our base teams will show you everything you need to know before you set off safely on your houseboat cruise.
The perfect boating region for…
Fishing
The lakes and rivers of the Trent-Severn Waterway offer great fishing opportunities including Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Muskie, Panfish, Carp, Catfish and Walleye. Fishing regulations and seasons apply, so it’s important to consult local fishing regulations and guidelines before fishing in the Trent-Severn Waterway.
Nature
The Trent-Severn Waterway and the Kawartha Lakes are well-known as a nature-lovers paradise. Filled with many species of wildlife to discover, the area will deliver plentiful daily spottings.
Family
The Trent-Severn Waterway and Kawartha Lakes have everything you could need for the perfect family vacation. Make a splash with watersports, then discover all the adventure Canadian culture has to offer at the towns and cities along the way.
Outdoor activities
The region is well-known for its access to nature and the great outdoors. Some favorite local experiences include paddling, cycling, birding, and wildlife viewing in area parks such as Kawartha Highlands and Mark S. Burnham Provincial Park.
Interactive map
Le Boat base
Point of interest
Route suggestions
To help you get an idea of how far you can travel in the time you have, here’s a selection of routes to and from our bases in this region. You dont have to stop at all the places listed or follow the route exactly. So long as you return your boat to your end base by the date you’ve booked – you’re free to enjoy your cruise however you like. For a comfortable pace, allowing you time to regularly stop and explore, we’d recommend an average of 2 – 4 hours cruising each day.
Please note: Any route suggestions and itineraries on the Le Boat website are examples only and any of the suggested potential routes, attractions, restaurants, towns, villages or sections of the waterway included in them may not always be open or accessible at time of cruising.
= Click the arrow icon on each route suggestion, to flip the 'card' and reveal more details.
The Classic Kawartha Lakes Cruise
The Classic Kawartha Lakes Cruise
Peterborough RETURN via Bobcaygeon
Scroll down using the grey bar to the right
Overview
A cruise northwards take you through the iconic lift lock in Peterborough and on to the open waters of Kawartha Lakes, reknown for their friendly lakeside towns and welcoming holiday vibe.
Top highlights:
- Pass through the world’s highest lift lock in Peterborough
- Kayaking in Burleigh Falls
- Bobcaygeon – a bustling and friendly tourist hotspot with a beach, boutiques and eateries.Â
Example itinerary:
The following is only an example, you can explore this area in whichever order you want, so long as your boat is back at the end base at the end of your vacation
- Peterborough Lift Lock:Â The Peterborough Lift Lock (Lock 21) is one of only two hydraulic lift locks on the waterway as well as the highest lift lock in the world. If you want to know everything there is to know about the highest lift lock in the world, visit the Parks Canada Visitor Centre right beside the lock.
- Lakefield:Â Known for its stunning natural beauty, Lakefield is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. From its picturesque lakes and rivers to its lush forests and scenic trails, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this charming town. Enjoy a beautiful boardwalk along the Otonabee River and a lovely beach.Â
- Young’s Point:Â Young’s Point (Lock 27) is a popular overnight mooring location for many boaters due to the beautiful park area next to it. Good fishing is also found at this lock.Â
- Burleigh Falls:Â Recreational boating, particularly canoeing, has long been popular around Burleigh Falls. The area has also been popular with fishermen since the days of the pioneers and in recent years, the rapids have become a firm favourite among kayaking enthusiasts.
- Lovesick Island: Lovesick Lock (Lock 30) is located on an island, and therefore only accessible by boat – a unique feature on the Trent Severn Waterway. The natural beauty of the setting and island seclusion makes this lock station an extremely popular overnight stop.
- Buckhorn:Â Visit Adam and Eve rocks. This pair of large rocks, left behind by a glacier, comes with a romantic legend. Apparently, if a couple holds hand and touches them, their lives will be eternally blessed.
- Bobcaygeon: Bobcaygeon, pronounced “bounce ca-je-wan-unk”, is a popular tourist destination and is famous for being the home of the first lock in 1834. This town bustles with high-end shops and friendly service, offering something for just about everyone to enjoy. Don’t miss the Bigley family of shoe and clothing stores or a chance to grab a famous Kawartha Dairy ice cream cone. Visit the beach or any of the cozy shops right next to the lock.
The Classic Kawartha Lakes Cruise
Peterborough RETURN via Bobcaygeon
Scroll down using the grey bar to the right
Overview
A cruise northwards take you through the iconic lift lock in Peterborough and on to the open waters of Kawartha Lakes, reknown for their friendly lakeside towns and welcoming holiday vibe.
Top highlights:
- Pass through the world’s highest lift lock in Peterborough
- Kayaking in Burleigh Falls
- Bobcaygeon – a bustling and friendly tourist hotspot with a beach, boutiques and eateries.Â
Example itinerary:
The following is only an example, you can explore this area in whichever order you want, so long as your boat is back at the end base at the end of your vacation
- Peterborough Lift Lock:Â The Peterborough Lift Lock (Lock 21) is one of only two hydraulic lift locks on the waterway as well as the highest lift lock in the world. If you want to know everything there is to know about the highest lift lock in the world, visit the Parks Canada Visitor Centre right beside the lock.
- Lakefield:Â Known for its stunning natural beauty, Lakefield is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. From its picturesque lakes and rivers to its lush forests and scenic trails, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this charming town. Enjoy a beautiful boardwalk along the Otonabee River and a lovely beach.Â
- Young’s Point:Â Young’s Point (Lock 27) is a popular overnight mooring location for many boaters due to the beautiful park area next to it. Good fishing is also found at this lock.Â
- Burleigh Falls:Â Recreational boating, particularly canoeing, has long been popular around Burleigh Falls. The area has also been popular with fishermen since the days of the pioneers and in recent years, the rapids have become a firm favourite among kayaking enthusiasts.
- Lovesick Island: Lovesick Lock (Lock 30) is located on an island, and therefore only accessible by boat – a unique feature on the Trent Severn Waterway. The natural beauty of the setting and island seclusion makes this lock station an extremely popular overnight stop.
- Buckhorn:Â Visit Adam and Eve rocks. This pair of large rocks, left behind by a glacier, comes with a romantic legend. Apparently, if a couple holds hand and touches them, their lives will be eternally blessed.
- Bobcaygeon: Bobcaygeon, pronounced “bounce ca-je-wan-unk”, is a popular tourist destination and is famous for being the home of the first lock in 1834. This town bustles with high-end shops and friendly service, offering something for just about everyone to enjoy. Don’t miss the Bigley family of shoe and clothing stores or a chance to grab a famous Kawartha Dairy ice cream cone. Visit the beach or any of the cozy shops right next to the lock.
The Rice Lake Cruise
The Rice Lake Cruise
Peterborough RETURN via Campbellford
Scroll down using the grey bar to the right
Overview
Time to slow down, enjoy the water and the great outdoors and embrace the quiet villages and small-town charm on this leisurely cruise to the south of Peterborough. Â
Top highlights:
- Fishing in Hastings
- The powerful tumbing water (when the gates are open) at Healey Falls
- Quaint shops and eateries in CampbellfordÂ
Example itinerary:
The following is only an example, you can explore this area in whichever order you want, so long as your boat is back at the end base at the end of your vacation
- Peterborough/Ashburnham: Known as the “Electric City”, this bustling metropolis has something for everyone. Here you can find plenty of great shops and restaurants, as well as stellar local bakeries participating on the region’s famous ‘Butter Tart Tour, each serving up their take on this Canadian classic treat.
- Hastings: Hastings offers a perfect blend of small-town charm and outdoor adventure. Take a leisurely stroll along the waterfront and marvel at the picturesque views of the shimmering water. Fishing enthusiasts will find themselves in paradise as the village is renowned for its excellent fishing opportunities.
- Healey Falls: Take a walk to the dam, a short distance from the lock. If the gates are open, you’ll experience the power of the water as it crashes through the gates and tumbles down the rocky steps into the waterway below.Â
- Campbellford: Immerse yourself in the surroundings of this picturesque town as you stroll along the downtown streets lined with quaint shops, restaurants, and inviting boutiques. Unique attractions include a swing bridge, the Memorial Military Museum, and a giant replica of Canada’s two-dollar coin. The town also has famous donuts, a cheese factory and a chocolate plant.
The Rice Lake Cruise
Peterborough RETURN via Campbellford
Scroll down using the grey bar to the right
Overview
Time to slow down, enjoy the water and the great outdoors and embrace the quiet villages and small-town charm on this leisurely cruise to the south of Peterborough. Â
Top highlights:
- Fishing in Hastings
- The powerful tumbing water (when the gates are open) at Healey Falls
- Quaint shops and eateries in CampbellfordÂ
Example itinerary:
The following is only an example, you can explore this area in whichever order you want, so long as your boat is back at the end base at the end of your vacation
- Peterborough/Ashburnham: Known as the “Electric City”, this bustling metropolis has something for everyone. Here you can find plenty of great shops and restaurants, as well as stellar local bakeries participating on the region’s famous ‘Butter Tart Tour, each serving up their take on this Canadian classic treat.
- Hastings: Hastings offers a perfect blend of small-town charm and outdoor adventure. Take a leisurely stroll along the waterfront and marvel at the picturesque views of the shimmering water. Fishing enthusiasts will find themselves in paradise as the village is renowned for its excellent fishing opportunities.
- Healey Falls: Take a walk to the dam, a short distance from the lock. If the gates are open, you’ll experience the power of the water as it crashes through the gates and tumbles down the rocky steps into the waterway below.Â
- Campbellford: Immerse yourself in the surroundings of this picturesque town as you stroll along the downtown streets lined with quaint shops, restaurants, and inviting boutiques. Unique attractions include a swing bridge, the Memorial Military Museum, and a giant replica of Canada’s two-dollar coin. The town also has famous donuts, a cheese factory and a chocolate plant.