Top tips to beat Toronto Island ferry lineups this weekend

Toronto Islands are a go-to destination to escape the sweltering city for a few hours. This summer the lineups stretch well beyond the terminal. Toronto's Waterfront Parks Manager shares tips to help you make it on to the Islands.

14,000 expected to visit the island on Friday alone

Aiden McRae CBC News Posted: Jul 22, 2016 3:16 PM EDT | Last Updated: July 22, 2016

James Dann, the City of Toronto's waterfront parks manager, says if you want to avoid long lineups to take the ferry to the Toronto Islands, arrive at the terminal early and book your tickets online. (Amanda Grant/CBC)

The Toronto Islands are more popular than everfor people looking to beat the heat this summer. But arriving atJack LaytonFerry Terminal only to find daunting lineups hasleft some island-goersfrustrated.

James Dann, Toronto's waterfront parks manager, spoke with CBCMetro Morning Fridayabout thoselineups and the best ways to ensure you make it across the harbour to one of the city's favourite getaways..

Here are some of his tips:

Arrive early

According to Dann, thetraffic at the ferry docks peaksbetween 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Try to get there earlier in theday to beat the crowds.

Ticket sales ramp up on the weekend, Dann says, and just like the exodus of vehicles destined for cottages or campsites clogs GTA highways, congestion is bound to happen on the waterfront, as well.

No matter the number of people waiting to get on a ferry, the capacity for the fleetremainsaround 950, up from 750 passengers in years past.

What's the best way to beat the line for the TO Island ferries? Arrive early, waterfront manager James Dann says. pic.twitter.com/QXSu4z9AUw
—@metromorning

Buy your tickets online ahead of time

You can buy your tickets online before headingto the terminal.

But you have to be careful, sinceonline buyers have reported the websitewill crash if there aretoo many orders:

@metromorning seems like his advice to buy tickets in advance also crashed their server! Am trying to buy tickets for tomorrow and #fail
—@bitchelich

Consider differentways of getting to the Islands

"Part of the magic of the TO islands ... is that you need to get on a boat to get there," Dann said."And as much as there is a wait to get there, it is a magical place.".

Along with the ferry, you cantake a water taxi, or rent a canoe orkayak.

@metromorning Paddling is my & @brianjjackson's favourite way to avoid taking the ferry to the islands. pic.twitter.com/2aIpKXrBkN
—@cassandrajowett

Other fun ferry facts

Dannareshared a piece of ferry history: "Theyoungest boat is 60 years old, the oldest boatis actually older than the Titanic."

Dannhas heard many ideas to expand theinfrastructure that would connect the islandsdirectlyto the mainland, including bridges, tunnels and even gondolas.

For now, new boats are expected to arrive in 2019 and 2026. Until then, the current fleet of five ferries cantransport about 5,000 people an hour during peak periods.

In response to Dann'sconversationwithMetro Morning,Mike Layton tweeted this particularly memorable visitto the islands:

@metromorning On hot August Sat, @bretttryon & I got married on island, took the ferry back together. busy, but everyone celebrates with us.
—@m_layton

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