On the water

Windsor Essex is a paddler’s paradise – a peninsula surrounded by 3 remarkable water bodies – Lake St. Clair to the north, the Detroit River to the north and west, Lake Erie to the south. There are three great ways to make a splash in Windsor Essex!

  • In a kayak, the paddler is seated and uses a double-bladed paddle pulling the blade through the water on alternate sides to move forward
  • In a canoe, the paddler kneels and uses a single-bladed paddle to propel the boat forward.
  • For stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), a rider stands up on a large board and uses a paddle to move through the water.

Looking to plan your next on-the-water adventure in Windsor Essex? Check out the three zones below – our maps including launch points, tours & experiences and picture perfect vistas.


Know Before You Go: Paddlers can only be out during daylight hours as they have no navigation lights. Permits are not required along navigable waterways.  One can paddle to the U.S., as long as they do not anchor or tie/attach to another boat.  Proper reporting requirements to customs are also necessary.  If you are a Canadian and stay on the Canadian side of the Detroit River, there should be no issues.

 

On The Water Resources
Check out our paddling resources below before you hit the water to make the most of your trip in Windsor Essex!

Blogs
Use our blogs to plan your own paddling adventure! Whether you’re a pro out for an exhaustive open water adventure or a novice looking for a fun afternoon with the family. We have tips, tricks and hidden spots to make the most of the paddling options in Windsor Essex!

 

Explore Our Paddling Routes

Detroit River Route

Along the banks of the historic Detroit River, paddle to and explore Peche Island, a naturalized park with…

South Shore Route

One of North America’s Great Lakes, Lake Erie provides for spectacular views of nature, through an expansive shoreline…

North Shore Route

To the north, along Lake St. Clair, there are several worthwhile paddling launchpoints.  Start in the quaint town…



Share
Share
Windsor Essex Paddling Map
Toggle Layers
Detroit River
South Shore
North Shore
Instagram

Windsor Essex comes to life during patio season. ☀️ Browse our Patio Guide on our website to find all the best places to have food & drinks outside, including these great options:

🍺 GL Heritage Brewing Company
🍻 @frankbrewingco
🍽 @stonehouse1891
🍴 @shop.pressuredrop

#DiscoverYQG #OntarioTravel #ExploreOntario #TravelInspiration #Patios
...

88 4

Looking for a cold treat to help you kick off the week on a good note? 🍦 Head to the best ice cream parlour winner in the Best of Windsor Essex awards... Dairy Freez. #YQG #WindsorEssex #DiscoverOn #DiscoverCanada #DiscoverYQG #OntSouthwest #IceCream #foodie ...

232 3

#DYK that today is National Hamburger Day? 🍔🎉 Reward yourself with a tasty burger from one of the many great burger joints in the region, including @billystaphouse. #YQG #WindsorEssex #DiscoverOn #DiscoverCanada #DiscoverYQG #OntSouthwest #burger #foodie ...

35 2