Preparing for Your Trip
- Bringing your boat into Canada
- Currency
- Customs requirements
- Fishing licences and regulations
- Travel Information Centres
- Weather conditions
- More information
Bringing your boat into Canada
You can trailer or cruise your boat into Canada. Customs officers stationed along highway border crossings and at harbours issue permits, which must be returned upon departure as proof that the boat has left the country. Many destinations offer remote area border crossings that require you to register by telephone.
For more information on Canada Border Services, click here.
Telephone 1-800-461-9999 for general customs information toll-free from anywhere in Canada. If calling from outside of Canada, dial (204) 983-3500 or (506) 636-5064 (long-distance changes apply). Fax (416) 954-9421
Prevent the spread of invading species
Clean boats insure clean waters ... when transferring your boat or equipment there are some important things you can do to prevent the transport of harmful invasive species from one lake or river to another.
For more information contact the Invading Species Hotline 1-800-563-7711 or click here.
Currency
We recommend that visitors use Canadian funds in Ontario. Currency-exchange offices are conveniently located at most Ontario Travel Information Centres at the U.S./Ontario border. They offer the current rate of exchange and are open daily.
The current rate of exchange is also offered at currency-exchange booths at international airports (Toronto, Ottawa) and at all banks, trust companies, and credit unions. Banks are /generally open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday; to 6 p.m. Friday. Most trust companies are open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and Saturday mornings.
To use our Currency Converter, click here.
Customs requirements
All persons, including U.S. Citizens, travelling by air or sea between the United States and Canada (including in transit passengers who are transferring planes in the U.S.) are required to present a valid passport or Air NEXUS card, according to a new American law, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI).
US Visitors can continue to use such documents as their birth certificates and drivers' licences to cross the Canada-U.S. border by land until June 1, 2009, though may be asked to verify their citizenship with such documents as a passport or a birth certificate.
Naturalised U.S. citizens should carry a naturalisation certificate. Permanent U.S. residents who are not citizens are advised to bring their Alien Registration Receipt Card (Green Card).
For more information on Canada Border Services, click here.
Telephone 1-800-461-9999 for general customs information toll-free from anywhere in Canada. If calling from outside of Canada, dial (204) 983-3500 or (506) 636-5064 (long-distance charges apply).
For border wait times, click here.
Fishing licences and regulations
Residents of Canada
Ontario residents and Canadian residents living outside of Ontario need an Outdoors Card as well as a licence to fish in Ontario. Applications for the Outdoors Card and fishing licence are available at most sporting-goods stores, bait and tackle outlets, many tourist outfitters, and at district offices of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.
For more details on how to get your Outdoors Card and fishing licence, click here.
Non-residents
Non-residents of Canada need to purchase a fishing licence to fish in Ontario. You can buy one at more than 2,000 locations throughout the province, including tourist outfitters' camps and lodges, sporting-goods stores, and bait dealers. Fill out a form, pay your money, and fish anytime thereafter.
For current licence prices, click here.
Non-resident fishing licences can be ordered over the phone from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources at 1-800-667-1940.
Travel Information Centres
Ontario's Travel Information Centres are operated by the Ministry of Tourism and Recreation. They provide tourist information for the entire province and supply brochures and public restroom facilities.
Call or drop in to the centre for brochures, special-interest publications, maps, and directions. Call 1-800-ONTARIO (1-800-668-2746) to verify current hours.
For a list of Travel Information Centres in Ontario, click here.
Weather conditions
Due to Ontario's vast size, temperatures can vary greatly from region to region and even within the regions themselves. Generally, our weather is considered continental, with the lowest temperatures being recorded in January and the highest in July.
Generally, Northern Ontario experiences a colder climate than Southern Ontario. Temperatures are given in degrees Celsius (°C) with the Fahrenheit (°F) equivalent often added - for an exact conversion of °C to °F, multiply the °C by 9, divide by 5, and add 32.
For detailed information about Ontario's climate, click here.
More information
For more tips, facts, and resources to help you get the most out of your Ontario travel experience, no matter where you're visiting from, click here.
