Boating in the Finger Lakes
The eleven Finger Lakes here in central New York are among our state’s finest natural features. These lakes were formed over two million years ago by receding glaciers, and they began as a series of north-flowing streams. Historically, the area was the territory of a number of Iroquois tribes, and is steeped in history, both Native and colonial, with several museums in many lakeside towns. Breweries and wineries abound, producing dozens of varieties of beer and wine; many are open to visitors.
Today, the Finger Lakes are surrounded by beautiful forest and their pristine waters allow for fishing, recreational boating, swimming, bird-watching and many other activities. In the regions around the lakes, people can also participate in hunting, hiking and biking.
Whether you opt to rent a boat from us or take your own craft out on the water, you’re sure to love cruising through the Finger Lakes. Mark's Leisure Time Marine, with locations in Conesus and Canandaigua, is your Finger Lakes boat dealer, so we’ve provided you with more information about some of the best boating opportunities in the area.
Owasco Lake
The only public beach for this lake is in Auburn at Emerson Park, and this is the only official place you can put in your boat. You’ll find two trailer launches here. For those who love kayaking and canoeing, the Owasco Inlet that feeds into the southern end of the lake is ideal. Here, the wetlands offer many great natural views for avid wildlife spotters
Cayuga Lake
Sailors love this popular lake for recreational boating. The best place to get on the water is at Allan H.Treman State Marine Park, but be forewarned that slips will go quickly during peak season. Cayuga is the longest Finger Lake and has one of the two islands in the Finger Lakes in its waters: Frontenac Island. Visitors to Ithaca, which is along the southern shore of Cayuga Lake, can enjoy the city’s bohemian vibe and will find plenty to occupy them, from beautiful waterfalls to hot-air balloon tours to the farmer’s market to wineries.
Seneca Lake
This lake is one of the deepest Finger Lakes, and it’s also the second-longest, at a whopping 38 miles. The average depth is nearly 300 feet, and 75 miles of shoreline provide you with plenty of lakefront recreational potential. There are campgrounds along the shore, as well as plenty of marinas and public boat launches in Geneva. The lake is accessible via the Old Barge Canal.
Canandaigua Lake
Boaters love to access this lake via the Canandaigua Lake State Marina at its northern end. The town of Canandaigua itself offers a few different marinas for launching, too. The lake’s name comes from the Seneca word for “chosen place,” which is a perfect descriptor of the scenic vistas you’ll find here. Viticulture is huge in this area, and many people like to visit the Naples Grape Festival to enjoy the wine industry in the area.
Keuka Lake
As a reasonably shallow and warm lake, Keuka is sought after by watersports enthusiasts, who love to cruise across the water on their wakeboards and water skis. Swimming is a popular diversion here due to the warmth of the lake, and the panoramic views are Instagram-worthy for sure. Fishing is another common activity on this lake.
We hope you’ve found a good boating opportunity on the Finger Lakes from our list! Still in search of the perfect boat? Come to one of our dealerships located in Conesus or Canandaigua to take a look at our full selection of new and used boats for sale. We also offer boat rentals, so if you don’t yet own a boat and want to try one out on one of the Finger Lakes, get in touch with us! If you require boat storage, we provide that, too. Mark’s Leisure Time Marine proudly serves the city of Rochester, New York.