killarney ontario
Great-Lakes-Sailing.com
|
Killarney, ON Lat: 45° 58.226 Long: 081° 30.902 |
|
Quick Reference:
|
Important Numbers
|
|
DISTANCES
|
|
DESCRIPTION The village of Killarney Ontario is one of the many gems along the North Channel of Georgian Bay. The first settler was Etienne de la Morandiere, a fur trader who served with the British in the War of 1812. His original trading post on Drummond Island was destroyed by fire and in 1820 he relocated to what is now Killarney Ontario and build a successful trading post. This makes Killarney one of the oldest communities in northern Ontario. Commercial fishing has always been an important part of the local economy and that continues to this day with a successful fishing company based in the village. Killarney was only connected to the Ontario highway system in 1962. The village however has never lost its focus on its natural water route and there are many services available to a cruising sailor. Killarney Ontario is adjacent to Killarney Provincial Park - one of the finest Provincial Parks in Ontario. |
|
APPROACHES Killarny Ontario is located on Killarney Channel, a narrow, 1.25 nm channel between the mainland and George Island. This is a navigable channel and follows the rules for buoyage - i.e. upstream from east to west with red buoys to starboard and green to port. FROM THE EAST Sailing along the coastline from the east, follow the SMALL CRAFT ROUTE (Click here for a more complete description of the SMALL CRAFT ROUTE.) Monitor your passage carefully, staying within the marked route. as shoals and rocks abound. On the north side of the east entrance to Killarney Channel is Red Rock Point with an ISO WHITE light visible 9 mi/7.8 nm in good weather. Ahead will be the F GREEN buoy "E1". Alter course to starboard to pass between between them and enter the channel proper. The village is approximately .8 nm up the channel on your starboard. FROM THE SOUTH Coming from Georgian Bay, watch for the ISO WHITE light on Red Rock Point, visible about 9 mi/7.8 nm in good weather. As you cross the channel mouth, watch for the F GREEN buoy "E1". Leave it to your port and round it to take a westerly course into the channel. Note the charted obstructions and rocks between E1 and Northeast Point on George Island. FROM THE WEST Follow the SMALL CRAFT ROUTE. You can follow Lansdowne Channel or go south, around Partridge, Centre and Badgeley Islands. Both routes are well-charted and well-marked. If you take the Lansdowne Channel route, care needs to be taken as you pass Maxwell Point on Badgeley Island. Badgeley Rocks are marked with a RED spar buoy (E14). On your starboard will be a Fl RED buoy - "EA2". E14 marks the southern edge of foul water while EA2 marks the shipping channel on the south side of foul water. To be safe, stay closer to E14 as you pass between them. A quick glance at your chart will give you the picture. Once clear, bend your course to the port so that you leave the RED buoy "E12" on your port and the GREEN buoy "E11" on your starboard. This will bring you safely past Ann Long Bank. Once clear of E11, bend your course to starboard until you can leave the GREEN marker "E7" on your starboard.. Hold a southeast course leaving the RED buoy "E4" on your port. The opening to Killarney Channel will be dead on your bow. Proceed up the channel to the village which will be on your port. NOTE Killarney is not a Port of Entry to Canada. You cannot use the CANPASS telephone system to clear in. Closest options if you are coming from the United States would be Tobermory or Little Current. |
|
MARINAS, YACHT CLUBS, MOORINGS, ANCHORAGES There are 6 marinas/docks along the waterfront of Killarney Ontario. The following are listed from east to west. Killarney Mountain Lodge (800) 461-1117 VHF 68 Killarney Mountain Lodge is located at the east end of the village. It has transient docking for 2-3 dozen boats. There is a fuel dock (diesel and gasoline) and a pumpout station. There is water and power to each slip. There are washrooms and showers available as well as a sauna and heated swimming pool. Other amenities include picnic areas and BBQ grills. There is also a very good restaurant on-site and a comfortable bar with internet access. Killarney Government Dock The Government Dock is managed by Herbert Fisheries. There is limited space. There is no fuel dock or pumpout station. There are no water or power hookups. Washrooms are available. Herbert Fisheries operates a very popular fish and chips stand by the dock and you can assume the fish is very fresh. Channel Marina (705) 287-2326 VHF 68 Channel Marina is adjacent to the Government Dock. The marina has several slips for transient sailors with vessels up to 30 feet. There is no fuel dock or pumpout station nor are there hookups for water or power. There is a store that carries camping supplies. And, for those who love ice cream, their ice cream parlour is a popular place to enjoy a cool treat. Gateway Marina (705) 287-2333 VHF 68 Gateway Marina has about 2 dozen slips for transient sailors. There is no fuel dock but there is a pumpout station.Water and power are available at slips. There are washrooms, showers and laundry facilities. Amenities include picnic areas, BBQ grills, a ship's store and a popular cafe. Internet access is available. Sportsman's Inn (705) 287-9990 VHF 68 The Sportsman's Inn is the largest marina in Killarney with 140 slips, the majority open to transient sailors. There is a fuel dock (diesel and gasoline) and a pumpout station. Water, power and cable TV are available at each slip. The marina has new owners and has undergone extensive rennovations. There are washrooms, showers and laundry facilities. There is a well-equipped chandlery on-site. There is also an excellent restaurant at the Inn. Other amenities include picnic areas and BBQ grills. Roque Marina (705) 287-9900 VHF 68 Roque Marina is the most westerly of the marinas in Killarney. There are about a dozen slips available for transient sailors. There is no fuel dock but there is a pumpout station. There is water and power available as well as washrooms, showers and laundry facilities. There is also internet access. Anchorage Anchoring is possible at the east end of the channel. There is a cove on the west side of Northeast Point. There is also a small cove just east of Bayfield Bluff. Both of these are on the shoreline of George Island. Depending on how many other boats are present, care needs to be taken when calculating swing room. |
|
REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE, PROVISIONING, BANKS/ATM's Killarney Auto and Marine can carry out basic engine and mechanical repairs. Pitfield's Killarney General Store is on the waterfront and can meet provisioning requirements. There is an ATM machine at Pitfield's. |
|
MEDICAL SERVICES Killarney Health Centre (705) 287-2300 is a clinic in the village. The nearest full-service hospital to Killarney Ontario is Sudbury Regional Hospital (705) 523-7130 in Sudbury ON, about 61 mi/104 km northeast. There is no pharmacy in Killarney Ontario. Thompson Pharmacy (705) 586-5858 is located in Sudbury ON, about 61 mi/104 km northeast. |
|
PLACES TO EAT Killarney Ontario has some very nice places where you can relax and enjoy a good meal or a cool beverage. The Sportsman's Inn has a terrific menu featuring not only steaks but also a range of seafood, all enjoyed in a dining room overlooking the channel. Killarney Mountain Lodge has an excellent restaurant as well as a comfortable bar/lounge and deck. There is entertainment on the weekends. Herbert Fisheries is a long-standing commercial fishing company. They operate a very popular fish and chip stand beside their plant. And you just have to know that the fish is as fresh as can be. |
|
THINGS TO DO/SEE/VISIT Killarney Ontario sits on the edge of Killarney Provincial Park, one of the crown jewels in the Ontario park system. Only 5 mi/8km away, this 485 km2 /120,000 acre wilderness park offers outstanding hiking and canoeing. Closer to town, there is a short walking trail to East Lighthouse with spectacular views. You can take a ferry from Killarney Mountain Lodge across the channel to George Island. There is a hiking trail that also offers outstanding views of Georgian Bay. In the village itself, there is an art gallery, a museum and gift shops featuring local art. There is also this Killarney Ontario site that will give you ideas on getting the most of your visit. Return to Georgian Bay OR Return to the North Channel Return to Home Page |
