Kiss ‘n’ Sail is Back! (And other exciting developments on the water)
PUBLISHED: JUNE 6, 2025
In This Blog:
- The Kiss ‘n’ Sail is back this summer! This short-term dock space will be available for recreational boaters to use for pick-ups and drop-offs, starting June 7th.
- The City of Toronto is establishing a Task Force to improve transportation in the Inner Harbour and to the Islands. We will play a leading role on the task force, which will help to accelerate and prioritize the goals set out in our Marine Use Strategy.
- Hoverlink recently announced an agreement with PortsToronto which provides them a location near Billy Bishop Airport to run a hovercraft ferry service to and from the Niagara Region, bringing the service one step closer to operations.
- How we helped improve debris management and marine safety over the past year.
In 2020, Waterfront Toronto, together with the City of Toronto, PortsToronto, and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) refreshed its Marine Use Strategy with recommendations to improve recreational and commercial boating in Toronto’s Inner Harbour. Since then, the Marine Coordination Committee (MCC) was formed to implement the recommendations, such as the launch of the Kiss ‘n’ Sail Pilot project in 2024.
The Strategy was organized around three principles:
- Mooring: How to support a growing interest in using all types of watercraft.
- Movement: Creating more connections to more destinations on, in, and over the water.
- Management: Finding ways to collaboratively and efficiently manage the Inner Harbour, between all of the organizations that that have jurisdictions, ownerships, and legacy agreements.
In January 2025, we were pleased that funding to advance recommendations of the Marine Use Strategy was announced as part of a $975 million tri-government investment for Toronto’s waterfront. Read more about recent funding agreement.
Mooring
The Kiss ‘n’ Sail is back!
On Toronto’s Waterfront, recreational boaters have very few places to temporarily dock their vessels to pick up or drop off friends, grab groceries, enjoy a meal, or run quick errands in the downtown core. To help address this gap, the Kiss ‘n’ Sail pilot program was introduced. Launched in summer 2024 by Waterfront Toronto, PortsToronto and CreateTO, this program dedicates 30 metres of dock space at Yonge Slip for short-term pick-up and drop-off use. Operated by York-Bay Marine Inc., the program offers a much-needed solution for boaters seeking quick and convenient access to the city.
After a successful first season that saw approximately 1,500 vessels use the service, Kiss n’ Sail is back for summer 2025 with improvements.
What’s new this year:
- The Kiss ‘n’ Sail will run from June 7 to September 30, in the same location as last year.
- A new wave attenuator to improve the user experience and safety.
Movement
Progress towards a new water-based transportation service
Hoverlink recently announced an agreement with PortsToronto to operate from a location at Billy Bishop Airport. The service would create a marine transportation link between the Island Airport and the Niagara Region, near the Welland Canal. While still in the planning stages, this service could create a new marine-based transportation route, improving access to Toronto’s waterfront for visitors and commuters alike.
Waterfront Toronto is also exploring ways to improve marine-based transportation within the Inner Harbour, and we plan to share the results of that study later this year. Stay tuned!
Management
Toronto Island Access and Inner Harbour Transportation Task Force
Ideas abound for new ways to improve access to the Toronto Islands and around the Inner Harbour. In April, the City of Toronto published a report recommending the establishment of a new Task Force to:
- Accelerate and coordinate short- and medium-term improvements to accessing the Toronto Islands
- Advance due diligence related to long-term opportunities to improve access to the Toronto Islands and Inner Harbour transportation in general
- Consult with interested members of City Council, marine users, community organizations, and the public.
Waterfront Toronto will participate as a standing member of the Task Force. The Marine Coordination Committee has already started work on some initiatives that the task force can build on. For example, our Water Taxi and Seabus Feasibility Study is almost complete, and we plan to share the results of the study later this summer – including possible next steps for expanding Water Taxi service in the near term.
Read the City of Toronto report: Improved Active Transportation and Water Access to Toronto Island Park
Debris Management
Members of the MCC joined the Floatables Strategy Working Group, which includes the University of Toronto (U of T) Trash Team. Efforts led by the U of T Trash Team and PortsToronto diverted 636kg of debris in 2024. We will continue to support the Working Group’s efforts. Read more about debris management.
Marine Safety
The increase in recreational boating since the COVID pandemic lead the MCC to explore ways to improve marine safety. In 2024, efforts included two enforcement ‘blitz’ days by the Marine Police Unit and PortsToronto to make boaters obey the harbour speed limit. Additional signage and speed markers are planned to be installed in 2025.
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