Wolfe Island | Ferry by Foot

Travelling to Wolfe Island by Foot or by Bike

Please note: The Wolfe Island Ferry is currently docking at Dawson's Point (approximately 4km from the village). Unless you are an avid cyclist, driving your vehicle on the ferry is recommended at this time. 

Walk on. Wait less. Relax more. 

By: Mike Hector

Photos: Heidi Csernak and Suzy Lamont

Situated five kilometers South of Kingston Ontario, Wolfe Island sits where the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario meet. Largest of the world famous 1000 Islands, Wolfe is home to a community of over 1,400 residents and is a popular detour for both visitors to Kingston and locals.

During peak season, lineups for the Wolfe Island Ferry can be incredibly long as countless vehicles que-up for their spot on the ship. The ferry can only carry so many vehicles per-trip, which results in congestion and prolonged wait times. Until now!       

Introducing, our revolutionary and game-changing Ferry By Foot initiative! Thanks to this handy and intuitive guide you’ll be able find nearby parking options in Downtown Kingston, ride the Wolfe Island Ferry (like a boss), bypass lengthy vehicle lineups - and reduce your carbon footprint while you’re at it.

Boom.

1.    Find parking before heading to the ferry dock.

There are several options for parking in Downtown Kingston, many within convenient walking distance of the ferry terminal at the foot of Barack Street. The closest two parking lots (Frontenac & Drury) can both be accessed from Queen Street and are within a block of the ferry dock. To simplify the payment of fees, both of the recommended lots are compatible with the HonkMobile parking app.

2.    Visit the ferry terminal

The Wolfe Island Ferry Terminal is a great starting point before boarding. Inside you’ll find access to public restrooms, and a seating area where you can evade the sun for a while. Ferry passengers waiting at the terminal can also get their hands on information pamphlets and there is always a dock attendant at the terminal ready to assist or answer any questions.

3.    Wait in the right spot

On both the left and right hand sides of the boarding ramp are staging areas for cyclists and pedestrians. Wait in one of these spots and you’ll be safely out of the flow of traffic and well positioned to board the ferry. Also, it’s a good idea to be on the lookout for several locals of the feathered variety.

The seagulls that frequent the ferry dock are especially friendly, and sometimes can be quite bold. Keep an eye on your snacks - or toss a few morsels to them if you feel so inclined.  Take heed, that once you make friends with one seagull, you just made friends with his entire fleet of buddies.

4.    Board at the right time

Remember to pay attention to the Mate and crew members as you board the ferry. The “Mate”  will be the crewmember directing people and vehicles on and off the ship. Once arrivals have disembarked from the ferry, the Mate will signal pedestrians and cyclists to board.

5.    Tips for cyclists

Cyclists and pedestrians are asked to line up in the same staging area, however there are a couple of useful tips if you’re travelling to Wolfe Island by bike.

• For safety reasons, cyclists are to

  walk their bikes on and off the ferry.

• Once aboard, keep bicycles to the sides of the ferry in suitable areas.

• Large groups of cyclists travelling together will be lined up in one lane and treated like a vehicle.  Every load is different but the Mate tries to stage the bikes in one specific area not scattered all over the deck.

6.    Enjoy the ride!

On both sides of the ferry, there are two upper levels with outdoor bench seating. These offer passengers a great spot to sit, shoot some photos and enjoy the scenery. As you board, head to the upper deck on the starboard (right) side of the ferry to capture some fantastic panoramic shots of Kingston from the water.

Situated below the upper decks is a pair of indoor passenger quarters to either side of the vessel. There are also restrooms (including an accessible washroom) conveniently located onboard the ferry. If you have any questions, there are always a pair of deckhands that will gladly assist passengers.

It’s also worth mentioning that it can get fairly windy on the upper decks. Even on a warm summer day, the winds can get a tad chilly so be sure bring some long sleeves or a jacket just in case.

7.    Disembark safely

Similar to how you boarded the ferry, you can disembark from both sides. However, walking off from the starboard (right) side makes it easier and safer to reach Main Street as you’ll hit the sidewalk and avoid the path of vehicles boarding the ferry. Again, remain on board until vehicles have cleared the deck and the Mate give pedestrians and cyclists the signal.

Enjoy your visit to Wolfe Island

Thank you for taking the time to read our Ferry By Foot Guide!

For visitors planning to spend the day, walking or biking on the ferry is the most convenient and efficient way of travelling to Wolfe Island. Traffic congestion and wait-times are reduced while visitors can travel to, from, and around Marysville with ease!

Now that we’ve covered the best way for visitors to travel to Wolfe Island it’s time to get you up to speed on what to do once you get there! Check out our super-handy companion blog:  The Top 7 things to do in Marysville. It’s full of tips and ideas that will help you make the most of your visit to Wolfe Island!