Bay of Quinte: Waterway Adventure Guide

South Eastern Ontario / Sud-est de l'Ontario

The neighbouring cities of Belleville and Quinte West overlook the Bay of Quinte on Lake Ontario, which makes them popular destinations for pleasure boaters. On clear summer days, the lake is dotted with sailboats catching the breeze. This stretch of water is also famed for its fishing. The Quinte Fishing Series in Belleville attracts anglers from all over Ontario and beyond to cast their lines for walleye and bass. And the annual Kiwanis Walleye World Fishing Derby in Quinte West claims to be the largest walleye fishing derby in the world!

Each city is also built along a river—the Moira River in Belleville, and the Trent River in Quinte West. In fact, the first seven locks of the Trent-Severn Waterway are within the Quinte West city limits, so you can easily spend an enjoyable day paddling or motoring from lock to lock. The Moira River, on the other hand, should only be enjoyed from the shore within the Belleville city limits, as rapids make that stretch of the river extremely dangerous. Luckily, you can get a nice view from the 4.6-kilometre Moira Riverfront Trail, which is open to pedestrians and cyclists.

Also on land, you can enjoy superb views of the Bay of Quinte from Zwick’s Park in Belleville. The park hosts major events, including Pop-Ups on the Bay, a summer-long attraction featuring pop-up vendor stalls, live music and food vendors. And both Belleville and Quinte West have vibrant downtowns with lots of independent restaurants, bakeries and shops.

Place to Stop

Looking for a place to enjoy a meal with a view? Belleville and Quinte West offer gorgeous restaurant patios overlooking the Bay of Quinte, Belleville Harbour, the Moira River and the Trent River. Away from the water, you can catch a live theatre performance, learn fascinating historical stories, try your luck at a casino or go for a hike.

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Logistics

If you can’t wait to get onto (or into) the water, read this section to learn where you can hit the beach, launch your boat, or paddle your canoe, kayak or standup paddleboard.

Beach

The Frankford Tourist Park in downtown Frankford (one of the communities that makes up Quinte West) offers a small, sandy beach on the Trent River. You’ll also find a playground, a covered picnic pavilion, accessible washrooms, a campground, and free parking.

Boat Launches and Paddling Put-Ins

Here are some of the places in Quinte West and Belleville where you can launch your motorized or paddling watercraft into a river or lake. Centennial Park, located where the Trent River meets the Bay of Quinte, also offers a splash pad, playground, skate park, and free parking. 

Cautions and Notes

Water Services

If you’re looking to rent a boat, book a fishing charter, go scuba diving or find a marina in Belleville or Quinte West, you’ve come to the right section.

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No boat? No problem! You can rent one from retailers, clubs and specialized companies in Belleville or Quinte West—whether you’re looking for a kayak, a houseboat or something in between. 

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The waters of Lake Ontario and the Bay of Quinte are rich with all sorts of sportfish, including walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, lake trout and perch. Anglers come from all over to try their luck in the region’s annual fishing competitions. Although not based in Belleville or Quinte West, the following fishing charter companies offer guided trips in nearby waters. Note that most fishers will need an outdoors card and/or a fishing licence from the Government of Ontario to fish in Belleville and Quinte West.

Do you need gas, repairs, boating supplies or a slip to dock in? Check out these Belleville and Quinte West marinas (note that not all services are available at all listed marinas).

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Other Services

Belleville and Quinte West offer restaurants and cafés for every budget, whether you’re craving a hearty breakfast, delicious international fare or a juicy burger. Both communities also have a full array of convenient services, including grocery stores, gas stations and banks/ATMs. Independent shops and boutiques keep both downtowns lively, and you can find national chain retailers, too.

The Trent-Severn Waterway

Stretching 386 km from Quinte West on Lake Ontario to Port Severn on Georgian Bay, the Trent-Severn Waterway is a stunning canal route of lakes, rivers, and 42 historic locks. Operated by Parks Canada, this National Historic Site is a must-visit for boaters, paddlers, and sightseers. With campsites, washrooms, mooring, and more, it’s easy to plan a trip of any length. Trenton, the eastern gateway, offers a perfect starting point for your waterway adventure in South Eastern Ontario.

Explore the Trent-Severn

Accommodations

A variety of accommodations are available in Quinte West and Belleville, from national brand hotels to small inns, bed and breakfasts, and campgrounds—all of them with free parking! No matter what your taste and budget, you’ll find a great place to spend the night.

Visitor Information

You can’t miss the Belleville Chamber of Commerce Visitor Centre (5 Moira Street East): It’s located in a log cabin in downtown Belleville! Swing by year-round to pick up maps, guides, brochures and other information about Belleville and Quinte West. Check the website for current hours.Discover Belleville offers visitor information for the city. The Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board covers both Belleville and Quinte West, as well as neighbouring communities. And the South Eastern Ontario regional tourism organization promotes the entire waterfront from the Bay of Quinte to the Ontario-Quebec border.

Plan your visit

Plan more fun!

Don’t forget to check the region’s events calendar for vacation inspiration. Here are a few additional useful links for planning your next adventure in Quinte West and Belleville.

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This content was created in partnership with Ottawa Road Trips and is current as of June 2025.