By Adrienne Roman
You’ll wonder if you’ve landed in a chic pocket of Miami’s South Beach when you first set eyes on Friday Harbour, just an hour north of Toronto. This modern 600-acre community in Innisfil, on the western shore of Lake Simcoe, is the largest inland marina in North America.
Friday Harbour has everything you’ll need to unwind and enjoy the region’s country charm, by land or water. A full-service marina. An array of diverse dining options. Luxury shopping destinations. A one-of-a-kind 18-hole golf club. Two hundred acres of natural beauty waiting to be discovered in the Nature Preserve.
Quentironk
Lake Simcoe was once called Quentironk, or “beautiful water,” by the native Hurons who lived in the area in the 17th century. In 1793, the first lieutenant-governor of Upper Canada, John Graves Simcoe, renamed the lake in memory of his father, Captain John Simcoe of the Royal Navy.
Urban Lakeside Living
Friday Harbour is nestled on the shores of Big Point Bay, the fourth-largest lake in Ontario and part of the Trent-Severn Waterway, a canal system that runs 386 km from Trenton on Lake Ontario through to Port Severn on Georgian Bay.
Friday Harbour Membership
Enjoy the many benefits of Friday Harbour membership as the owner of a Ferretti Town residence. You’ll enjoy luxurious lakeside living complete with private boat slip, two-car garage, and rooftop terrace. Alternatively, Sunseeker’s sleek condominiums will be located next to the Nature Preserve, providing the serenity of the surrounding environment fused with touches of modern art and elegant urban design.
Friday Harbour members enjoy a suite of personalized services, including exclusive access to the majestic, timber-exposed Lake Club for dining and events, designed by renowned architects Graziani +Corazza; poolside service; a spacious fitness centre; indoor games room; private tennis courts and a movie theatre.
Harbour Master
N 44º23.409’, W 79º31.418’
Find The Harbour Master on Radio Channel 68
Friday Harbour Marina and its partners provide boaters with concierge service, fuelling, pump-outs, navigation advice, washing and polishing, executive detailing, winterization, and haul-out services. The impressive Harbour Master building has 24-hour CCTV security, restroom and shower facilities, laundry, and a comfortable boaters’ lounge with complimentary high-speed Internet access. Friday Harbour apparel, boating accessories, and grab-and-go food and drink options are available.
“Sail La Vie” Sailing School (saillavie.ca), onsite at the marina, offers both motorized and sailboat rentals, lessons and certifications, expeditions, and chartered boat and fishing tours.
The Promenade Shops and Restaurants
You’ll discover a foodie’s delight at The Promenade, where all of our restaurants pride themselves on sourcing their ingredients from local farmers. Be sure to try a favourite in many of our dishes this summer: the native Sumac spice, which is harvested in the area.
- FH Fine Foods: Gourmet fine foods, Friday Harbour apparel, and all your household needs.
- Avenue Cibi e Vini: Italian antipasti, salads, pizzas, pastas.
- Essence Juice Bar: Smoothies, juices, and health-focused food options.
- Fishbone Restaurant: Portuguese-inspired eating with Marina views.
- Marine Room Gastropub: A casual, family-friendly space with elevated pub choices.
- Parisienne: Classic French bakery with additive-free artisan breads, pastries, quiches, and cakes.
- Ren Sushi: Japanese haute cuisine with an assortment of bubble teas.
- The Beach Club Restaurant: Seafood-focused cuisine, salads, and assorted entrees.
- Zaza Espresso Bar: Italian coffees, pastries, paninis, pastas and pizzas.
- Starbucks: Everyone’s Friday friend!
- Crock a Doodle Pottery: Design your own ceramic masterpieces.
- Feather and Stone Boutique: Bohemian-inspired clothing, jewellery, and bath and body treasures.
- ADM Design & Décor: Stylish home and décor for creative living.
- Pawvengers: Pet boutique with food, accessories, daycare, walking, and grooming.
- Sweet Harbour Toy & Candy Co.: The place to go for hand-scooped Kawartha Dairy ice cream.
- LCBO: Find collections from the finest wineries and breweries at this convenient location.
- One 11 Beauty Bar: Everything you’ll need to feel your very best.
- Avi Gallery Inc.: Coming soon.
The Nest: Elevated Lakeside Golf
The Nest was recognized as a Design Excellence Honouree for its design by The American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA). Having planned and designed over 80 golf courses worldwide, award-winning Carrick Design Inc. is recognized as one of Canada’s leading architectural firms, inspired by each new landscape project.
The Audubon International Signature Sanctuary Program designated The Nest Golf Club as a certified Gold member, in recognition of the club’s ongoing dedication to the protection of its natural surroundings. Material from the Friday Harbour dredge was repurposed to shape The Nest’s many course elevations.
The Club, located at 3800 Friday Drive, is known for its varied challenges. Whether you’re a beginner or a veteran golfer, everything you’ll need to improve your game and maximize individual potential can be found here. Preview the course before you play with a virtual tour, explore the yardage guide, or view a detailed scorecard. The practice facility has a driving range and spacious putting and short game area green with two large bunkers.
With an array of league options, private and group instructional clinics, and plenty of children’s programming, find your best swing at Friday Harbour. Shop for your golfing favourites in the boutique Pro Shop, and enjoy spectacular menus with sunset vista views on the outdoor patio. To sharpen your skills during the winter months, try the state-of-the-art indoor golf simulator.
Protecting Land & Water
The essential connection between people, the land, and the water remains a top priority at Friday Harbour. The resort received a 2017 ISSA Canada Environmental Stewardship Award for environmental management.
The region’s river systems and lands all drain into Lake Simcoe, which is why the sustainability of the resort and harbour are monitored by the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, to ensure the area’s woodlands and wetlands are protected. This includes soil conservation; planting endangered butternut trees throughout the Nature Preserve to restore the population; reducing phosphorus to improve local water quality; and the protection and development of natural plants and grasslands, to encourage wildlife populations and enhance the ecological diversity of the Nature Preserve’s abundant flora and fauna.
A refined Stormwater Management System was also implemented to control runoff from the Marina. Water is collected and pumped to a pond within the golf course, where it’s used for irrigation, reducing demand on the municipal water supply and increasing groundwater recharge.
As members of Boating Ontario’s Clean Marine Program, the Marina also collects debris in Seabins throughout the year to ensure water health. It also has a program of collecting plastic bottles and bags, with the added ability to skim off surface oils and liquid pollutants. Native aquatic plants are regularly harvested, to safeguard balanced growth in the basin and to maintain and enhance habitats.
Friday Harbour Nature Preserve
Discover over 7KM of winding trails, on foot or by bike, along the “white cedar loop.” The Nature Preserve is a truly peaceful place to wander and explore the amphibian pond, turtle and bird nesting sites, and lush wetlands.
Live Events at The Pier
Summer 2022 Event Sneak Peek: Weekend Live Music Concerts, Fashion Shows, Food Trucks and Buskers, Beach Campfires, Wellness Workshops and Classes, Nature Walks, and Motorized Surfing Lessons with JETSURF Toronto.
Check the activity calendar for the latest Friday Harbour entertainment at fridayharbour.com/events
Your Friday Fun Starts Here:
Lawn Games, Cornhole, Giant Jenga, Connect-Four, Chess, Beach Bowling, Horseshoes, Lawn Darts, Kan Jam, Basketball, Volleyball, Badminton, Pickleball, Soccer, Ball Hockey, Bike Rentals (cruisers and mountain), Kayak and Canoe Rentals, Stand-Up Paddleboards, and more.
PIER Pillars
Friday Harbour All Seasons Resort follows the PIER pillars of Passion, Integrity, Excellence, and Respect, dedicated to offering its visitors and homeowners genuine lakeside adventures, created authentically through exceptional hospitality, all within the warm vibrancy of a European-inspired community on the picturesque shores of Lake Simcoe.
Discover your next destination. Fall in love with Friday. Every day.
