Exploring Jordan Harbour Marina: A Hidden Oasis

About Jordan Harbour

Jordan Harbour sits on the south shore of Lake Ontario between Grimsby and Port Dalhousie — a shallow, almost land-locked bay eight miles east of one and five west of the other. Stone breakwaters just east of the entrance create a protected basin, which is what makes it a usable harbour when the lake is up.

The marina is a seasonal operation. Slips are let for the season rather than by the night, and the harbour is quiet in a way that the bigger marinas along this shore are not.

History of Jordan Harbour

Early history

Long before the marina, Jordan Harbour was a natural bay. The area's history is rooted in the indigenous cultures who lived along this shore and relied on Lake Ontario and its surrounding ecosystems for food and trade.

As European settlers arrived, the harbour's sheltered position made it a useful point for local trade and transport, moving goods and people through the region and helping the surrounding communities grow.

How the marina came to be

The change from natural bay to working marina came with the stone breakwaters. They created a protected basin suited to docking and sheltering boats, and the marina facilities followed from there.

The replica ship

For decades the harbour's most recognisable landmark was a two-masted vessel built as a replica of a 1500s ship. Anyone who drove the QEW past Jordan Harbour knew it. Its masts came down in 2021 and the hull was dismantled in 2024, so it is no longer there — but it is still what most people picture when they think of this harbour.

The marina today

Floating docks run from 20 to 40 feet and sit in 5 to 14 feet of water. Depth in the entrance channel is 14 feet. The marina takes boats up to 60 feet long with a maximum beam of 20 feet.

Ashore there are washrooms and showers, a double-wide launch ramp, and trailer storage for the season. Seasonal dockage is charged per linear foot of boat length, with a lower rate for slips without shore power.

For current rates, availability and what is running this season, call 905-562-7888.

On the water and nearby

• Fishing: the harbour is a well-used spot for anglers. Bass, perch, trout and salmon are all common in this part of the lake, and the breakwaters and dock edges hold fish.

• Wine country: Jordan Station sits in the middle of Niagara's vineyards, and there are wineries and tasting rooms within a short drive of the dock.

• Eating nearby: there is a hotel with a restaurant and bar next to the marina, and more options in Jordan Village a few minutes away.

Jordan Harbour Marina, 2793 Beacon Blvd, Jordan Station, Ontario. Call 905-562-7888 to ask about a seasonal slip.