There is no better way to experience the beauty of the St. Lawrence River than from the bow of a boat. The spray in your face – the wind in your hair – it’s a feeling like no other. The magnificence of the sparkling water, set off by the picturesque islands, offers a potent reminder of why the 1000 Islands has been the choice of vacationers from around the world. Take off and try tubing, head out on water skis, explore the islands, and stop for a quick swim or a picnic.
Be sure to bring your own boat. Clayton makes it easy to get your boat into the water. The Village provides a public launch and docking at many points along the river including a 200-foot floating dock complex in front of the Village. Clayton also has a number of well-equipped full service marinas where you can buy gas, supplies, dock for the evening, or rent watercraft such as kayaks, paddleboards, small fishing boats and pontoon boats.
If you don’t have your own boat, you can enjoy the guided pleasures of a boat tour. The scenic vessels leave Clayton throughout the day and travel beneath the 1000 Islands Bridge to near-by Alexandria Bay, romantic Boldt Castle and around the islands into Canada. Cruises also take passengers to Rock Island Lighthouse. You’ll learn about Clayton’s colorful past filled with bootleggers, pirates and local “river rats”.
The Thousand Islands Regional Dock and Clayton Cruise Ship Terminal is conveniently located on the edge of the main shipping channel along the St. Lawrence River. The dock sits on the shoreline in front of Frink Park along Riverside Drive in downtown Clayton
The dock is able to host a wide scale of vessels including tall ships, yachts, tugboats and cruise ships. The facilities are a U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Coast Guard Certified 105c Port of Entry.