RegattaCentral

Dominion Day Regatta

  • Hosted By: Dominion Day Regatta Association
  • Sanctioned by RCA & ON (2024)
TRANSPORT TO THE ISLAND - ROWING AND PADDLING

To get to the regatta, all boats, trailers and participants must take a Toronto Island Ferry to the Toronto Island Park. Bicycles may be taken on the ferry although some restrictions apply during peak periods.

The Toronto Island Ferry leaves the mainland from the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, located at the intersection of Bay Street & Queen’s Quay West. Ferries dock on Toronto Island Park at either Hanlan’s Point, Centre Island or Ward’s Island.

  1. Passengers - The mainland Jack Layton Ferry Terminal is a ten minute-walk from Union Station, the city’s public transit hub. Public transit to the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal is also available from Union Station via the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and includes the 6 Bay bus and the Harbourfront LRT routes. If travelling to the ferry terminal by personal vehicle, user-pay parking is available nearby.

It is recommended that all regatta participants take the Centre Island ferry to Toronto Island Park as this is the Island on which the regatta is being held.

It is advised that passengers take the first Centre Island ferry run on July 1st. The DDRA will request a 7:30 a.m. ferry and it is possible that such a ferry will be scheduled. If not, the first ferry will run at 8:00 a.m. Later ferries become very crowded and the wait times can vary.

There will be NO early 7:30 a.m. ferry this year. The first ferry runs at 8:00 a.m.
 
So, we have negotiated a special offer with the Pirate Taxi water taxi service. They will open for us at 6:00 a.m. and are offering a discounted fare of $10.00 + HST to all participants, coaches, officials and volunteers (family, friends and spectators are very welcome to come on the Pirate Taxis with you but would pay the regular fare of $13 + HST). If taking a water taxi to the Island, returning to the mainland at the end of the day can then be done by ferry at no additional charge. 
 
In order to ensure that the regatta begins on time, we recommend that all rowing crews with races scheduled within the first hour, as well as all officials and volunteers, take an early water taxi in order to arrive at the race course by 8:00 a.m.

Pirate Taxi has two docks: a dock 375 Queen's Quay West, between Spadina and Rees by HTO West Park (there is lots of parking at Queen's Quay and Rees, almost across from the dock), and a dock at Harbourfront, 235 Queen's Quay West on the boardwalk by the water, right beside the big black sailboat (called Kajama), with parking nearby. See the Pirate Water Taxi Locations Map for more details.

You can pay by cash, debit or credit card when you arrive at the dock. Bicycles and wagons can be brought aboard at no extra charge. 

If you just have a few people in your group, go to the dock of your choice when you're ready. If your group is 5 or more, Pirate Taxi strongly recommends that you book a time in advance by sending an email to [email protected], with a contact name, the number in your group, your departure time, and which dock you'll be coming to.

Please book through email, but feel free to call (289) 499-1106 with any questions or visit piratetaxi.ca

On July 1st, ferries returning to the mainland from Centre Island depart the Centre Island Terminal at approximately 15-minute intervals.

See the Passenger Ferry Schedule for more information.

Passenger ferry fees are round-trip and are as follows:

      • Adults: $9.11
      • Seniors & Students (15 to 19): $5.86
      • Juniors (Under 15): $4.29

Groups of ten or more can receive a 10% discount.

It is highly recommended that you book ferry tickets online.

Additional passenger information is available by calling 416-392-8193.

 
  1. Boats & Trailers - Transport of boats and trailers to Centre Island will take place on Sunday, June 30th via the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport ferry. The DDRA will work with club contacts prior to this date to create a transport schedule. On June 30th, club contacts are then requested to advise Rob Cook, via text at 416-930-1041, of their approximate arrival time at the ferry dock. On the evening of July 1st, trailers will return to the mainland via the Billy Bishop Airport ferry. Details of the costs and timing of these departures are still being worked out with the Airport and an update will be provided when finalized.  Clubs are asked to assist in this process by emailing the names, email addresses and cell phone numbers of their drivers to Charlie Stevens at [email protected].

 

Participating clubs will be offered a $250.00 subsidy to offset the vehicle ferry cost. They will also be offered a $50.00 subsidy to provide for a dinner for their driver.