Some tourists who go to Toronto Islands1, as a group of 12 to 23, prefer to ride something special – a water taxi, instead of the usual ferry boat!
A water taxi! Tita S, tell me about it. Well, a water taxi, water bus or sightseeing boat, is a watercraft used to provide public or private transport, usually, but not always, in an urban environment. Service may be scheduled with multiple stops (operating in a similar manner to a bus), or on demand to many locations (operating in a similar manner to a taxi). Taxi sizes vary from small boats carrying a few passengers to larger vessels carrying 10 or more passengers.
Toronto water taxis and canoe taxis operate in the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, as an alternate form of transportation to and from the Toronto Islands1. Some are themed (see below) and that definitely adds to the excitement of the ride, especially for the young and the young-at-heart.
Unlike the city-run ferry service, water taxis are privately-run and cost more to cover the same distance. The taxis offer services to those who are stranded on the Islands when ferry service is disrupted or ended, or to patrons who have missed boarding their cruise ships at various docks along the mainland. Inner taxis normally offer services within the inner harbor only.
Water taxis are licensed like land-based taxis, and are also regulated by boating regulations. These regulations require the operator to be a licensed commercial motor boat operator (SVOP) and have required life jackets for all occupants. Operators are also required to have Marine First Aid, SDV-BS (formally known as MED A3), and a marine VHF operator’s license (ROC-M). All certifications are issued by Transport Canada, except for the VHF radio license which is issued Industry Canada. All operator certifications are issued by federal bodies, unlike land taxis which receive certifications from provincial bodies (driver’s license).
The information was obtained from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_water_taxi.2
As of June 2019, there are 5 privately-owned, certified and licensed, water taxi companies which operate in the Toronto Harbour:
1. Tiki Taxi
This company offers a tiki-style water taxi, with real bamboo, reclaimed wood, fishing net, and a realistic synthetic thatched roofing.3
Tiki Taxi – Photo source: https://www.facebook.com/totikitaxi/photos/865502290448985
It is located at the intersection of Spadina and Queens Quay West. On Toronto Islands, you can request a Tiki Taxi from Centre Island, Hanlan’s Point or Ward’s Island. It operates seven days a week, from 11AM – 8PM, with a first-come, first-served basis on weekends.3
The current fleet is 8 Tiki Taxis, each with a maximum capacity of 12 passengers, as per Transport Canada Regulations. Larger groups will be split onto multiple boats.3
Photo source: https://www.facebook.com/totikitaxi/photos/1277735162559027
It operates 3 boats on weekdays, and 7 boats on weekends. Weekday departures average every 5-8 minutes, weekends every 3-5 minutes. Come early, before noon, on weekends to avoid wait times. Feel free to call +1 647-347-8454 to ask how long the wait for a boat is on busy weekends. Remember, all service is weather dependent.3
If you want service earlier than 11AM, you can call, but there is no late-night service, unless it is a busy weekend and the crowd has not cleared off the islands.3
Fares (in CAD) are one-way, on a per person basis: adults $10, children (10 and under) $5, with a minimum of 2 adult fares for Centre and Hanlan’s, and 3 adult fares to Ward’s Island. Rides can be shared with others going to the same destination. It does not offer group rates, unless the booking is over 100 people, prepaid.3
Photo source: https://www.facebook.com/totikitaxi/photos/1255438801455330
Private bookings are available during weekdays only, at a rate CAD230 per hour.3
Bikes, pets walking on their own, coolers, strollers, or anything you can carry or push yourself, are free of charge. Excessive baggage may result in an additional charge if it results in a slowdown of service.3
You can visit its website https://www.tikitaxi.ca/ or its Facebook account https://www.facebook.com/totikitaxi/
2. Toronto Harbour Tours
This company is located at 145 Queens Quay West. The dock is conveniently located at Pier 6, directly in the heart of Toronto’s Waterfront.4
It offers regular service to Centre Island. Trips to Hanlan’s Point and Ward’s Island are available upon request, subject to demand. It offers shuttle service on weekends from May to June. It runs daily from mid-June through to the start of September.4
Photo source: https://www.facebook.com/Torontoharbourtours/photos/2149490578450451
Departures are roughly every 15 minutes on weekdays. There are more boats on weekends, so departures are about every 5 to 10 minutes.4
Photo source: https://www.facebook.com/Torontoharbourtours/photos/a.504776472921878/992379310828256
It costs CAD10 for adults and CAD6 for kids (12 years and under), one way.4
Photo source: https://www.facebook.com/Torontoharbourtours/photos/1044139282318925
You do not need to book in advance. It runs enough frequent departures so you can just show up at its dock, grab your ticket, and get on the next available departure. However, on busier days, there could be a line but no worries.4
You can also book private transportation for groups, depending on availability of boats.4
Source of photos: https://harbourtourstoronto.ca/charters/
Sales Desk: +1 416-203-6994
Head Office: +1 416-203-7786
Email: info@harbourtourstoronto.ca
3. Toronto Harbour Water Taxi
This is Toronto’s longest running water taxi service, servicing Toronto Islands1 for over 20 years, privately owned and operated by Ralph McQuinn. It is located at 99 Harbour Square in the mainland, different from Jack Layton Ferry Terminal5. See map here: https://www.torontoisland.com/map.php
Regular fares cost CAD10 per adult and CAD5 per child (12 years and under). Infants under 1 year, and dogs are free of charge. However, the water taxi requires a minimum departure fare of CAD30. Special service between 1AM and 8AM is billed at CAD200 per hour.5
Photo source: https://i2.wp.com/www.torontoharbourwatertaxi.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/TorontoHarbourWaterTaxi-WaterTaxis-09.jpg?ssl=1
Quick charters are offered for a minimum of 5 people, or CAD50 minimum fare to or from: Billy Bishop island Airport (YTZ)-City Station, Island Yacht Club (IYC)-Bathurst, and Royal Canadian Yacht Club (RCYC)-Cherry Street. Pay CAD10 per additional person.5
The Water Limo is an exclusive service for larger groups of people and/or equipment. It covers trips to, and from Toronto Island, as well as custom locations across the Toronto Harbour. Water Limo 1 has 23 seats and Water Limo 2 has 12 seats. You have to book 24 hours in advance for single or full day rentals.5
Water Limo – Photo source: https://www.torontoharbourwatertaxi.com/toronto_harbour_water_taxi-water_limo-wl2-img1/#page-content
The Water Taxis and Limos can also be rented for parties, families, birthdays, weddings, film crews, and large events. From June – August, for a minimum of 3 hours, you will be charged CAD 200/hour (water taxi) or CAD300/hour (water limo). You can call Toronto Harbour Water Taxi (York Street Slip) at +1 416-203-8294 (for the water taxi) and +1 416-703-5466 (for the water limo).5
The summer schedule: Sunday – Thursday, 8AM – 12:00 MN, and Friday – Saturday, 8AM – 1:00 AM. Pick-ups after midnight require a reservation made prior to 11PM.
Photo source: https://www.facebook.com/TorontoHarbourWaterTaxi/photos/a.1288586964526676/2641281392590553/?type=3&theater
Winter service is 8AM – 12AM daily, but all runs require reservation so you better book in advance. For the schedules of other seasons or changes in schedules, visit https://www.torontoharbourwatertaxi.com/.
Photo source: https://i0.wp.com/www.torontoharbourwatertaxi.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/TorontoHarbourWaterTaxi-WaterTaxis-13.jpg?ssl=1
You can also go to its website for bookings and other information: https://www.torontoharbourwatertaxi.com/. They reserve the right to cancel or suspend service due to weather or customer volume at any time, without prior notice.5
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TorontoHarbourWaterTaxi/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/towatertaxi/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/realTOwatertaxi
4. Water Taxi Now
This is a pirate-themed water taxi service. (Pic – PNG – fr https://www.watertaxinow.com/) It has 2 water taxi locations: (a) Spadina Avenue/Rees Street; and, (b) Harbourfront Centre, Peter Street.6 Visit https://www.watertaxinow.com/about/#about-locations for the 2 locations and how to get there.
Photo source: https://www.facebook.com/PirateWaterTaxi/photos/3557983040937850
Water taxis operate from May till September. These are the hours of operation: 8AM – 12 MN (Sunday – Thursday). 8AM – 1AM (Friday), and 8AM – 1AM or later (Saturday).
Photo source: https://www.facebook.com/PirateWaterTaxi/photos/3433623756707113
Occasional service may be provided in April and October. You are advised to call +1 416-838-TAXI(8294) to confirm late night service, and if service will be suspended due to poor weather.6
Here are the admission prices (in CAD)6:
| LOCATION 1
Spadina Ave./Rees St. |
LOCATION 2
Simcoe St. |
|
| Adult | 10 | 11 |
| Child (10 and under) | 5 | 6 |
| Pets, Bikes, Strollers | free | free |
Payment is required prior to departure. Receipts are provided upon request. Cash or debit is accepted at both locations. Additional charges may apply when carrying large cargo, or if the total number of passengers on any given trip is less than 3. Rates are subject to change.6
Photo source: https://www.facebook.com/PirateWaterTaxi/photos/2962475530488607
Contact +1 416-838-TAXI(8294) or email info@watertaxinow.com. Other contact information: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/watertaxinow; and https://www.instagram.com/watertaxinow/. Visit https://www.watertaxinow.com/private-bookings/ for private bookings, https://www.watertaxinow.com/events/ for events, and https://www.watertaxinow.com/destinations/ for destinations (Centre Island, Hanlan’s Point, and Wards island).6
5. The Otter Guy, Inc.
This company is located at the South Building of 5 Queens Quay West, conveniently located at the foot of Yonge Street.
There is an adjacent parking lot so you can embark or disembark easily.7
It claims to be Canada’s largest water taxi fleet with 17 boats, and to have the longest passenger dock in Toronto City. 
Photo source: https://www.otterguy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/otterguy-gal-14.jpg
It also houses the Toronto Marine Safety School where they train commercial marine operators in the off-season, in conjunction with Georgian College and Transport Canada.8
Photo source: https://www.otterguy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/otterguy-gal-43.jpg
All drivers are Transport Canada-certified captains. Deck hands, cashiers and dock handlers are hired through the Canadian Sea Cadet program. The staff is multilingual and can speak over 40 languages.7
Photo source: https://www.facebook.com/OtterGuyWaterTaxi/photos/815963548589782
The regular boats are good for 12 passengers and there are smaller, agile 6-passenger boats for special trips.
Photo source: https://www.facebook.com/OtterGuyWaterTaxi/photos/814121678773969
Larger boats can accommodate up to 100 passengers. The May 1 till October 1 schedule is 9AM – 1AM daily.8
The standard destinations in Toronto Islands are Centre Island, Hanlan’s Point, and Ward’s Island.
Photo source: https://www.otterguy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/otterguy-gal-27.jpg
They also service Artscape Gibraltar Point, Humber Bay, Ontario Place, and some yacht clubs, at an additional rate.8
Rates inclusive of HST: CAD10 for adults, and CAD5 for children (12 years and under). Infants (1 year or less) are free. They accept cash as well as debit and credit cards, but a small service fee applies to the latter.8
The company also works with K-12 schools and several non-profit organizations to provide educational field trips. For inquiries, email fieldtrips@otterguy.ca.7
In the 2020 season, they will add Toronto’s only high-speed electric water passenger service. Their goal is to eventually replace their fossil fuel boats with green, electric vessels to address global warming. They will also upgrade their regularly-scheduled service from the Yonge Street Water Taxi Terminal to Ward’s Island as well as expand their service to include Humber Bay Shores, Ontario Place and eventually, Mississauga, to their growing points of departure.7
Telephone number: +1 416-995-6809
Email: GroupsAndCharters@OtterGuy.ca, FieldTrips@OtterGuy.ca, Info@OtterGuy.ca
See related posts: TORONTO ISLAND FERRIES: HISTORY AND FLEET and TORONTO ISLANDS FERRY TICKETS AND ISLAND DOCKS
Photo sources of cover picture-collage (top-bottom, l-r): https://www.facebook.com/PirateWaterTaxi/photos/3557983040937850, https://www.facebook.com/Torontoharbourtours/photos/1044139282318925, https://www.facebook.com/totikitaxi/photos/1277735162559027, https://www.otterguy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/otterguy-gal-43.jpg, and https://i0.wp.com/www.torontoharbourwatertaxi.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/TorontoHarbourWaterTaxi-WaterTaxis-13.jpg?ssl=1
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The following terms are defined for interested readers, especially those with “Senior-Moments”, not familiar with Toronto, and those too busy or lazy to Google such terms:
1Toronto Islands, also called the Island or Toronto Island Park, is a chain of 15 small islands at a total area of 332 ha., in the western part of Lake Ontario, about 1.6 km south of downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The islands are located just offshore from the city’s downtown, a 10-15-minute ferry ride from the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal2 at the foot of Bay Street and Queens Quay. Access to the Islands can also be through water taxi or private yacht. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Toronto Islands.”9
2“Toronto water taxi,” accessed August 6, 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_water_taxi
4https://harbourtourstoronto.ca/water-taxi/
5https://www.torontoharbourwatertaxi.com/
6https://www.watertaxinow.com/
8https://www.otterguy.ca/water-taxis/
9“Toronto Islands,” accessed August 6, 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_ Islands
Tita S Travels 
I feel really happy to have seen your limo taxi airport service webpage and look forward to so
many more. Helpful and Informative blog. Thanks for sharing this information with us.
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