Private island – Onaway Island – a luxurious idyll with a boathouse, helipad and secluded coves

Onaway Island is situated in the heart of the Muskoka region in Ontario, Canada, on the much sought-after Lake Rosseau – around 200 kilometres north of Toronto – and is accessible exclusively by water, traditionally by boat from Port Carling. The shores feature clear, deep water with a natural rocky bed; tranquil coves, sun-warmed rocks and sweeping views across the lake characterise the landscape. At the water’s edge, the three-bay boathouse with an upper storey and extensive jetties forms the island’s nautical centre, whilst a private helipad makes arriving by air effortless.

The wider area is one of the region’s ‘Big Three’ – Lake Rosseau, Lake Joseph and Lake Muskoka – renowned for their rugged granite shores, pine forests and the rare combination of natural idyll and first-class leisure facilities. In everyday life, residents benefit from Port Carling’s status as the ‘Hub of the Lakes’, with its boutiques, markets, grocery shops, delis, galleries, marinas and a diverse range of dining options, from casual cafés to lakeside restaurants with terraces. The journey from Toronto takes around two and a half to three hours via the A400/A11; for flights, Muskoka Airport (YQA) near Bracebridge/Gravenhurst serves as the gateway to the region, ideally combined with the island’s private helipad. Onaway Island thus combines maximum privacy on the water with a superbly accessible region that comes alive in every season – from boating, swimming and paddling in summer to golf, hiking and winter activities in the surrounding area.