It’s been over fifteen years since I’ve explored the 1000 Islands, which is way too long considering that it’s only three hours from my home. That either tells you how many great paddling options there are around Eastern Ontario, or it tells you that I haven’t been paddling enough. Although I admit that mountain biking has been cutting into some of my paddling time lately, I’ve been paddling enough that my gear has remained in a perpetual state of dampness.
Bottom line is that Ontario and Québec have a ton of other great places to paddle, which has kept me from returning to the 1000 Islands sooner. But I hope that doesn’t diminish how incredible the 1000 Islands are for paddling. They truly are a paddling paradise, and unlike anything else that I’ve found around the world.
I think the coolest thing about the area, is that it blends a stunning coastal wilderness environment, with outdoor lifestyles, as many of the 1000 Islands are inhabited. On top of that, there’s a lot of boat traffic in the area too – from sea doo’s and zodiacs to sailboats and yachts, you’ll find it all in the 1000 Islands. The truth of the matter is that they’re there for the same reason I was – to enjoy one of the coolest wilderness/urban coastal environments in the world.
Joining me on my tour of the islands was Scott Ewart of 1000 Islands Kayaking Company. Based out of Gananoque, Scott and his team are responsible for putting a huge number of butts in boats every year. Whether you’re a first-time paddler, or an experienced paddler looking for the right route, these are the guys you want to connect with if you take a paddling trip to the Thousand Islands.
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