Boarding the historic schooner Kajama feels almost ordinary until the engine falls silent and the crew begins hauling the lines. Then the experience transforms.
Passengers are invited to help raise the sails, and what first seems like a novelty quickly becomes a hands-on lesson in traditional sailing as you feel the weight of the historic rigging. As the crew coils ropes and sings sea shanties, the atmosphere feels less like a performance and more like a tradition that has endured for generations.
Once beyond the harbour, Lake Ontario stretches into view, revealing a perspective few people ever see of Toronto’s skyline, with the CN Tower, downtown skyscrapers, and the Toronto Islands framed from the water. Midway through the sail, the crew fires the ship’s small cannon, a tradition that surprises first-time passengers and never fails to entertain.
Onboard, a licensed bar and galley serve drinks and casual fare while guests relax by the rail or chat with the crew, whose stories about the schooner and Toronto Harbour feel more conversational than scripted.
What sets this experience apart from a typical harbour cruise is its authenticity. There’s no theatrical pirate show or scripted narration—just a real sail aboard a historic tall ship.
For 90 minutes, you’ll experience traditional sailing alongside a working crew on a vessel that has remained in service for nearly a century, preserving a style of seafaring that’s rarely experienced today.
The Need To Know Details
- Location: 235 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON M5J 2G8 (Harbourfront, near the Power Plant Gallery)
- Duration: Approximately 2 hours, including 30 minutes of boarding and a 90-minute sail on Lake Ontario
- What to expect: Sail aboard the historic three-masted schooner. Help the crew raise the sails. Enjoy sea shanties, and watch the ship’s traditional cannon firing
- Food & drinks: A fully licensed bar plus snacks and light meals are available for purchase onboard
- Accessibility: The main deck is wheelchair accessible, but onboard washrooms are only accessible via stairs. Stroller access is available
- Pets: Leashed dogs are welcome onboard
- Reservations: Advance booking is highly recommended. Especially for sunset cruises and weekends, although walk-up tickets may be available if space permits
- Weather: Cruises operate in most weather conditions, with covered outdoor seating available if it rains. Dress for the forecast, as it can be cooler on the lake
