Howe, Simcoe, and Wolfe Islands are all in Frontenac Islands Township on the St. Lawrence River, part of Frontenac County. The township’s council consists of the mayor, deputy mayor, 1 councillor representing Howe Island, and 2 representing Wolfe Island.
(Looking for info on Amherst Island in Loyalist Township? Check out our About A.I. page)
HOWE ISLAND
Howe Island is 31 km 2 and 13 km long and is the fourth largest of the Thousand Islands. The population in 2011 was 602, expanding in the summer months.
There are no schools or retail stores on Howe Island, but it is connected by 2 ferries, one on either end.
FERRIES:
Howe Island’s cable ferries are $8 (return single car visitor fare, only paid when going TO the island):
The Howe Islander (County Ferry) on the west end goes to the mainland east of Kingston (15 cars) and runs 24 hours a day.
The Township Ferry on the east end of Howe Island (2991 Howe Island Drive) takes 3 cars and goes to the mainland west of Gananoque side. It runs its 3 minute crossing from 6:30 AM to midnight. 30 min break daily at 11:15am and 7:15 pm. Regular maintenance occurs on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
There is an unofficial website that has queue cams at www.howeferries.ca
The official Frontenac Island Ferries info can be found here.
AMENITIES:
KFPL Library Branch
Fire and Rescue team
A portion of the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail
St. Philomena’s Catholic Church
ANNUAL EVENTS:
A one-day outdoor music festival in July called Rockin’ The Rock.
SIMCOE ISLAND
Simcoe Island is 6 km long and 1.5 km at its widest point. The population in 2017 was 82. It is accessible by on-demand cable ferry (scroll down for details) from Wolfe Island.
WOLFE ISLAND
Wolfe Island is is 124 km2 and 29 km long, and is the largest of the Thousand Islands. The population is 1400, doubling or tripling in the summer months.
FERRY:
Wolfe Island Ferry from downtown Kingston. Schedule and island side dock information may change, so check the MTO website to be sure.
AMENITIES:
Fire Department
Post Office open 6 days/week
A medical clinic, including appointments 2 days a week, walk-ins Thursdays, and Lifelabs pickup
2 elementary schools: Marysville P.S. and Sacred Heart C.S.
KFPL Library Branch
Community Centre including a skating rink
3 churches: Anglican, Catholic, and United
Fargo’s General Store which carries groceries, LCBO outlet, and a little bit of everything
Big Sandy Bay beach, wetlands and woodlands
4 mapped bicycle routes
Wolfe Island Boat Club (rent lasers, kayaks, paddle boards, canoes)
Several places to eat and drink
Several small businesses and shops
A seasonal food, art and products market at Wolfe Island Commons
Old House Museum (open weekends)
Waste transfer site (including organics) open 2 or 3 days/week, depending on the season
ANNUAL EVENTS:
A two-day music festival in August called the Wolfe Island Music Festival
Wolfe Island Classic 5K 10K and kids 1-mile races in July
