There’s a moment that happens to many people the first time they truly experience the Thousand Islands.
It usually isn’t when they arrive.
It isn’t when they see the cottage.
And it isn’t even when they step onto the dock.
It’s somewhere out on the water.
Maybe it’s during a quiet morning boat ride as the river comes alive around them. Maybe it’s while navigating between islands, discovering hidden channels and shorelines that seem untouched by time. Or perhaps it’s sitting on a dock at sunset, watching the light dance across the St. Lawrence River while wondering why they didn’t discover this place sooner.
For many buyers, that’s when everything changes.
As waterfront specialists serving Kingston, Gananoque, the Thousand Islands, Rideau Lakes, Charleston Lake, Westport, Napanee, Loyalist Township, and communities throughout Eastern Ontario, we’ve had countless conversations with people who originally thought their waterfront search would begin and end in places like Muskoka or the Kawarthas.
Then they experience the Thousand Islands.
Suddenly, the conversation shifts.
They begin to realize that waterfront ownership isn’t simply about owning a cottage.
It’s about the lifestyle that surrounds it.
Quick Summary
The Thousand Islands is one of Ontario’s most desirable waterfront destinations, offering world-class boating, exceptional fishing, island living, vibrant waterfront communities, and easy access from Toronto, Ottawa, Kingston, Montreal, and the northeastern United States. Properties like 700 Tar Island showcase why more buyers are choosing the region for lifestyle, recreation, and long-term waterfront ownership.
Buyers searching for Thousand Islands waterfront properties are often looking for more than a cottage. They’re searching for a lifestyle built around boating, recreation, family, and unforgettable experiences on the St. Lawrence River.
More Than a Cottage Destination
The Thousand Islands isn’t a hidden secret.
In fact, it’s one of the most recognized waterfront destinations in North America. For generations, visitors from around the world have been drawn to its boating culture, natural beauty, historic landmarks, and remarkable riverfront scenery.
What makes it different from many traditional cottage markets is that life here revolves around the water itself.
The river becomes your road, your playground, and your connection to neighbouring communities.
One day might involve a morning fishing trip, lunch in Rockport, an afternoon swim, and an evening cruise through the islands. The next might be spent exploring new waterways, visiting friends by boat, or simply relaxing at the cottage.
No two weekends ever feel exactly the same.
That’s one of the reasons so many buyers from Toronto, Ottawa, Kingston, Montreal, and beyond continue to discover the region.
One of the most common conversations Sean and I have with buyers begins with a search for a cottage. More often than not, it evolves into a discussion about lifestyle. The buyers who fall in love with the Thousand Islands aren’t simply looking for a property. They’re looking for a place where they can spend more time on the water, more time with family, and more time enjoying the experiences that make waterfront ownership so rewarding.
A Boater’s Paradise Unlike Anywhere Else
If you’ve spent time on the water in the Thousand Islands, you already know something that’s difficult to explain to someone who’s never experienced it.
The boating here feels different.
With more than 1,800 islands scattered throughout the St. Lawrence River, every outing offers something new to discover. One day might take you through quiet island channels. Another could involve a cruise to Gananoque, Rockport, Brockville, or one of the many destinations that make the region so unique.
Many owners tell us they’re still discovering new places years after purchasing their property.
That’s part of the appeal.
The river constantly invites exploration.
For buyers who love boating, few waterfront destinations in Ontario offer the same combination of scenery, variety, accessibility, and adventure.
The Thousand Islands is also recognized as one of North America’s premier freshwater fishing destinations, attracting anglers in search of muskie, northern pike, bass, perch, and crappie.
But perhaps more importantly, it offers the kind of outdoor lifestyle that keeps families coming back year after year.
Experience Island Living in the Thousand Islands
The lifestyle is best experienced firsthand. Take a few minutes to explore 700 Tar Island and discover what makes island living in the Thousand Islands so special.
Property Snapshot
📍 700 Tar Island, Leeds & The Thousand Islands
🏡 3+1 Bedrooms
🛁 2 Bathrooms
🌊 Approx. 318 Feet of Waterfront
🌳 Over 1.4 Acres
🚤 Pontoon Boat Included
🛺 Golf Cart Included
💰 Offered at $675,000
👉 View Full Property Details Here
Why Buyers Love Thousand Islands Waterfront Properties
Every once in a while, a property comes to market that perfectly reflects the lifestyle people are searching for when they begin exploring the Thousand Islands.
700 Tar Island is one of those properties.
When Sean and I first visited the property, what stood out wasn’t just the waterfront or the cottage itself. It was how naturally the property captures the experience buyers are searching for when they imagine owning a place in the Thousand Islands. Easy access, beautiful boating, sandy shoreline, incredible recreation, and the feeling that you’ve truly left everyday life behind.
Located just a calm 10-minute boat ride from Huck’s Marina in Rockport, this turnkey waterfront retreat combines privacy, recreation, convenience, and exceptional boating access in one remarkable package.
Set on over 1.4 acres with approximately 318 feet of St. Lawrence River frontage, the property enjoys beautiful southern exposure, sandy shoreline, protected docking, and stunning waterfront views.
The cottage features 3+1 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, vaulted ceilings, warm wood finishes, expansive waterfront windows, and inviting gathering spaces designed to bring people together.
A lower-level guest retreat with kitchenette and private entrance provides additional flexibility for family and visitors, while the separate bunkie offers space for guests, hobbies, creative pursuits, or additional sleeping accommodations.
One of the biggest advantages of 700 Tar Island is that it’s truly turnkey. Most furnishings, a pontoon boat, golf cart, canoe, rowboat, sailboat, catamaran, dock systems, bubbler system, lawn equipment, and tools are included, allowing new owners to begin enjoying island life immediately.
Rather than spending the season preparing a property, owners can spend their time boating, fishing, swimming, entertaining, and making memories with family and friends.
Nearby, owners can enjoy renowned fishing, explore countless islands by boat, and even take advantage of nearby Grenadier Island Country Club with its private golf, tennis, bocce, and social opportunities.
This is the type of property that reminds buyers why they started looking for waterfront real estate in the first place.
What Buyers Should Know About Waterfront Ownership
Buying waterfront property is exciting, but it’s also different from purchasing a traditional home. One of the things Sean and I enjoy most is helping buyers understand those differences before they make a decision. Waterfront ownership can be incredibly rewarding, but every shoreline, waterway, and property offers a slightly different experience.
Not all waterfront properties offer the same lifestyle.
Some are designed around boating. Others prioritize swimming, fishing, privacy, sunsets, or year-round accessibility. The key is finding a property that aligns with the lifestyle you’re hoping to create.
One of the most common questions we hear is whether buyers should choose an island property or a mainland waterfront property.
The answer depends entirely on the buyer.
Mainland properties offer direct road access and convenience. Island properties provide a unique sense of escape and connection to the water that many owners find incredibly rewarding.
Properties like 700 Tar Island offer a balance of both, delivering the privacy and character of island living while remaining easily accessible from the mainland.
Working with a waterfront specialist can help buyers navigate important considerations such as shoreline characteristics, docking, access, water systems, seasonal use, and long-term property value.
Frequently Asked Questions About Buying Waterfront Property in the Thousand Islands
Why do so many buyers choose the Thousand Islands?
The region offers exceptional boating, fishing, island living, waterfront communities, and one of the most unique recreational lifestyles in Ontario.
Are island properties difficult to own?
Not necessarily. Many island properties offer simple ownership experiences, especially those with short and protected boat access from established marinas.
Is waterfront property a good long-term investment?
While every market is unique, waterfront real estate continues to benefit from limited supply, strong demand, and enduring lifestyle appeal.
What should buyers know before purchasing waterfront property?
Buyers should understand shoreline characteristics, access, docking, utilities, seasonal considerations, and how they intend to use the property.
Why work with a waterfront specialist?
Waterfront properties involve unique considerations that don’t exist with traditional residential real estate. Local knowledge and experience can make a significant difference in both the buying and selling process.
Discover Waterfront Living in Eastern Ontario
After helping buyers and sellers throughout the Thousand Islands and Eastern Ontario, we’ve learned that the best waterfront decisions start with understanding the lifestyle first. The property itself matters, but the boating, the waterfront, the community, and the experiences you’ll enjoy often become the things owners value most.
Whether you’re searching for a family cottage, island retreat, luxury waterfront home, or investment opportunity, the Thousand Islands continues to offer one of the most rewarding waterfront lifestyles in Canada.
Buyers from Toronto, Ottawa, Kingston, Montreal, and the northeastern United States continue to discover the unique combination of boating, recreation, accessibility, and waterfront living that has made the Thousand Islands a world-renowned destination.
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If you’re considering buying or selling waterfront property in the Thousand Islands, Kingston, Gananoque, Rideau Lakes, Charleston Lake, Westport, Napanee, Loyalist Township, or elsewhere in Eastern Ontario, we’d be happy to help.
Because sometimes the best way to understand the Thousand Islands isn’t to read about it.
It’s to experience it for yourself.
At Gazeley Real Estate Group, Jay Gazeley, Sean, and Turner specialize in waterfront, luxury, and lifestyle properties throughout the Thousand Islands, Kingston, Rideau Lakes, Charleston Lake, Gananoque, and Eastern Ontario.