Canada is home to beautiful oceans, lakes, and rivers that make for wonderful boating excursions. In Canada, before you board any recreational watercraft that has a motor, including a motor boat, and explore the diverse and stunning country, you are required to have a Pleasure Craft Operator Card. The card is similar to a driver’s license that proves you are competent to safely operate a motor boat. One who operates a motor boat in Canada must keep the card on them at all times.

You can acquire a Pleasure Craft Operator Card by successfully passing a multiple choice exam which is given out by a private government accredited organization. Applicants must receive a score of at least 75% to pass the exam and receive their Pleasure Craft Operator Card.

There are private accredited organizations that help prepare applicants for the exam by offering classes which includes practice tests. There are also Home Study Guides that includes guides on CD Rom. Once you pass the test, you will be given your own Pleasure Craft Operator Card. This card is nontransferable and good for life. The price to take the exam is about $49.95 plus GST. The official Transport Canada accredited exam can be taken on the private organization’s website.

Once you have received your Pleasure Craft Operator Card, you can then to head out on Canada’s magnificent waters. Below are a number of Canada’s waterways where you can have a fantastic and memorable boating experience:

1. Muskoka and the Haliburton Highlands – Ontario: Located two hours north of Toronto, The Muskoka and the Haliburton Highlands is one of the most popular areas to have a fantastic boating experience. The scenery is absolutely beautiful and there are many communities where you can enjoy the sights, sounds, activities, attractions, restaurants, and night life. As well, there are a number of festivals, theatrical performances, music performance, concerts, and ballets. There are also great golfing places and shopping establishments.

2. Howe Sound – British Columbia: Not far from Vancouver, Howe Sound in British Colombia has a spectacular view of the coastal mountain range. The stunning mountains with the snow caps, beautiful water, magnificent scenery, immense forests, and delightful communities with beautiful shorelines and coves, makes this area very popular for avid boaters. There are also many places to stop for a picnic or hike a trail. Howe Sound is every nature lover’s dream.

3. Coastal Nova Scotia: Nova Scotia is a very popular place to enjoy a boating excursion. The shores of Nova Scotia are dotted with lighthouses, beautiful sandy beaches, wonderful communities, inlets, coves, islands, and saltwater marshes. Many wonderful towns reside along the shores where boaters can explore the culture and heritage and enjoy fine wine, fresh fish, lobster, chowder, and much more. There are also charming shops, theaters, picnic parks, entertainment, musical performances, recreational activities, fine dining, cultural attractions, and much more. As well, Halifax is a popular tourist city where there is much to see and do, including a number of Yacht Clubs.

4. Chaudi