Sailing and boating enthusiasts can find everything they need at the municipal Port Franks Marina, Grand Bend Harbour and Bayfield Marina, which are open from Victoria Day Weekend to Thanksgiving Weekend. Boaters can take the “Safe Boater Get Certified Test” at either the Grand Bend or Port Franks marina office. There are also a number of private marinas in the area.
Since 2009, Grand Bend, Port Franks and Bayfield marinas have boasted Blue Flag status. Blue Flag marinas adhere to a code of conduct concerning environmental responsibility, clean water and established and well-practiced marina management.
LIST OF ACTIVITY AND EQUIPMENT SUPPLIERS
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BOAT RENTALS AND CHARTERS
Local outfitters offer boat cruises on the lake including Blue Line Fishing Charters (519-318-1102), Copper Blues Fishing Charters (519-331-4144), Grand Bend Fishing Charters (519-852-3410), Maitland Valley Fishing Charters (519-319-3931), Port Franks Charters (519-521-8785), Sail Huron (519-878-4141), and Xtreme Water Sports (519-238-5816 / 519-319-4864). Pricing varies by the amount of time out on the lake, the size of your group, and the boat.
Rent single and tandem kayaks and stand-up paddleboards by the hour or up to two days from 360 Bikes ‘N Boards (519-524-7171) in Goderich. River Adventures Grand Bend (519-868-RAGB) rents electric and gas-powered inflatable dinghies, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, and tandem kayaks by the hour. They also offer multiple, week-long, half-day camps for kids to learn about open water safety, navigating waterways using a variety of self-powered vessels (kayaks, canoes, paddleboards), and how to tie marine knots. Adult lessons include kayaking and paddleboarding. They even host a glow-in-the-dark group kayak along Parkhill Creek in Grand Bend. Westcoast Beach Store (416-836-8706) in Grand Bend offers daily standup paddleboard rentals and lessons. In Bayfield, head to the Marina Office (519-565-2233) beside the public washrooms, to rent a canoe or kayak. You can rent canoes, corcls (double-hulled, extremely buoyant, polyethylene boat), stand-up paddleboards, and single and double kayaks for use in Pinery Provincial Park (519-243-2220).
FEES
Grand Bend & Port Franks Fees
- One-day launch pass: $25 per launch
- Seasonal launch pass: $375
- Seasonal Dockage (serviced; greater than or equal to 25 ft.): $79 per foot
- Seasonal Dockage (serviced; less than 25 ft.): $1,896
- Seasonal Dockage (unserviced): $1200
- Transient Dockage (serviced): $2.30 per foot/day
- Transient Dockage (unserviced): $1.90 per foot/day
Additional Dockage at Grand Bend Harbour
- “Love Docks” Seasonal Dockage (serviced; greater than or equal to 25 ft.): $66 per foot
- “Love Docks” Seasonal Dockage (serviced; less than 25 ft.): $1,680
- Seasonal Dockage for Personal Water Craft: $600
AT A GLANCE MARINA CHART
| Municipal Marinas | Grand Bend 91 River Rd., May to Oct: 519-238-2000, Oct to May: 519-243-1400 press 3, grandbendmarina@lambtonshores.ca, | Port Franks 7574 Biddulph St., May to Oct: 519-243-2354, Oct to May: 519-243-1400 press 3, works@lambtonshores.ca, | Bayfield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operational | April - October 8am-8pm daily | April - October 8am-8pm daily | April - October |
| Coordinates | 43°18’83”N 81°46’09”W | 43°14’75”N 81°55’59”W | 43°34’53”N 81°42’16”W |
| Channel Depth | 6ft | 4 - 10ft | 8 - 10ft |
| Dock Depth | 6ft | 3 - 4ft | 9ft |
| VHF Channel | 68 | 68 | 68 |
| Seasonal Slips | 30 | 70 | 60 |
| Transient Slips | 35 | 0 | 20 |
| Gas & Diesel | ? | ? | ? |
| Washrooms / Showers | ? | ? | ? |
| Pump Out | ? | ? | ? |
| Electrical | 30 & 50 amp | 20, 30 & 50 amp | |
| WiFi | ? | ? | ? |
| Public Boat Launch | ? | ? | ? |
| Laundry Facilities | ? | ||
| Amenities | Picnic area, Oil, Marine toilet paper, AquaKem | Pavilion, Picnic area, Volleyball Court | Public phone, Shuttle, Picnic area, Canoe & Kayak rentals |
| Ice | ? | ? | ? |
| Visa, M/C, Debit, Cash | ? | ? |
PRIVATE MARINAS AND YACHT CLUBS
Private Marinas
Bayfield River Cottage Colony & Marina: 19 Fisherman's Rd. Wharf, Bayfield, 519-565-2632
Harbour Lights Marina: 27 Chart House Hill, Bayfield, 519-565-5150
R & R Marina: 9346 Lake Rd., Kettle Point, 519-786-5604
Seven Winds Marina: 10009 Superior St., Port Franks, 1-888-770-1009
Yacht Clubs
Bayfield Yacht Club: bayfieldyachtclub.com, 647-667-9056
Grand Bend Yacht Club: gbyc.ca, 519-238-6676
Port Franks Yacht Club: portfranksyachtclub.ca, 519-333-8673