THE BOATING SEASON IN WATERTON LAKES NATIONAL PARK
THE BASICS
- The 2024 boating season will run from May 1 to October 31, weather permitting, all boats will need to be out of the lake as directed by Parks Canada.
- Only Waterton cable seals are valid in Waterton Lakes National Park.
- For each and every launch, only boats and detachable gas motors with an intact and properly affixed and registered Waterton seal will be permitted on Upper and Middle Waterton Lakes. Seals are unremovable. Seals will be attached to and removed from boats and motors by trained and approved persons only.
- To launch a trailered or motorized watercraft or detachable gas motor in Waterton Lakes, it must have been registered, sealed, and quarantined for a minimum of 90 days prior to the date of launch. This includes new boats and motors. A 90-day quarantine is longer than most current sealing programs and is considered sufficient to eliminate any chance of live mussels being introduced.
- There is one locked launch site which is located at the marina in the Waterton Townsite. Boats and detachable gas motors cannot be launched elsewhere.
- There will be a fee for each seal. This fee covers affixing the seal and its removal upon launching.
HOW TO LAUNCH YOUR BOAT AFTER SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING THE 90-DAY QUARANTINE PROGRAM
- For boat launch and seal removal, make an appointment with Shoreline Cruises by email at cruise.info@watertoncruise.com or by phone at (403)859-2362. The phone is only monitored during the boating season, please use the email address outside of the boating season.
- You must give Shoreline 24 hours notice if you have to cancel your appointment.
- A fee will be charged for failing to give 24 hours notice of cancellation.
- Arrive at the marina at the appointed time.
- Alert staff at Shoreline Cruises.
- Visual inspection - your boat and/or detachable gas motor must be clean, drained, dried, and sealed properly.
- Upon successful inspection, Shoreline Cruises staff will remove and discard your Waterton seal, and unlock the gate at the boat launch as per your appointment.
- Launch your boat and/or detachable gas motor.
TO REMOVE THE BOAT FROM THE LAKE - IF YOU PLAN TO RETURN TO THE LAKE AT ANOTHER POINT IN THE SEASON WITHOUT HAVING TO ENTER A 90-DAY QUARANTINE
- To remove the boat and/or detachable gas motor from the lake, you will need to have a new seal applied if you wish to enter the lake at a later date. Make an appointment with Shoreline Cruises by email at cruise.info@watertoncruise.com or by phone at (403)859-2362. The phone is only monitored during the boating season, please use the email address outside of the boating season.
- Appointments must be booked within Shoreline Cruises' hours of operation.
- You must give Shoreline Cruises 24 hours notice if you have to cancel your appointment.
- You will be charged for failing to give 24 hours notice of cancellation.
- Arrive at the marina at the appointed time.
- Alert Shoreline Cruises staff who will unlock the gate at the boat launch as per your appointment.
- Remove the boat and/or detachable gas motor from the lake.
- Have a new serialized Waterton seal applied and properly registered.
- DO NOT DISTURB THE SEAL. Any tampered-with or broken seals will result in the need to complete another 90-day quarantine process.
TO REMOVE THE BOAT AND OR DETACHABLE GAS MOTOR FROM THE LAKE FOR THE SEASON:
- Make an appointment with Shoreline for the application of the seal.
- Arrive at the marina at the appointed time.
- Have a new serialized and properly registered Waterton seal applied.
- Remove the boat and/or detachable gas motor.
- Clean, drain and dry the boat.
- Take to usual storage.
- DO NOT DISTURB THE SEAL. Any tampered-with or broken seals will result in the need to complete another 90-day quarantine process.
Further Information
Improvement District #4 is charging $38 plus GST to attach motor boat seals and $5.43 plus GST to attach detachable gas motor seals. Each seal purchase includes one removal.
For an appointment contact Shoreline Cruises at cruise.info@watertoncruise.com or by phone at (403)859-2362. The phone is only monitored during the boating season, please use the email address outside of the boating season.
Online booking and payment are not available at this time. You must contact Waterton Shoreline Cruise Co. (403)859-2362 to make an appointment.
A missed appointment fee of $25 will be applied unless an appointment is canceled 24 hours before the appointment time.
You will need to tie your boat securely to the day dock and make another appointment by calling Shoreline Cruises at cruise.info@watertoncruise.com or by phone at (403)859-2362. The phone is only monitored during the boating season, please use the email address outside of the boating season. If the Shoreline Office is closed for the day, the next appointment will be the following day and you will be responsible for the cost of overnight moorage.
Contact Waterton Shoreline Cruise Co. for slip availability.
As long as the seal remains attached you may transport your watercraft elsewhere. The watercraft and trailer may not enter any other water bodies.
Owners can store their watercraft as they usually would. There is no requirement to store your watercraft in Waterton during the quarantine process. No additional storage space will be made available.
Seals are transferable from owner to owner (not boat-to-boat) with valid documentation.
Staff from Waterton Shoreline Cruise Co. will provide inspections, apply seals, and remove seals. Parks Canada will train Waterton Shoreline Cruise Co. staff on seal application and procedure.
Contact Shoreline Cruises Co. for rental information. Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards are also available for rent in the townsite.
Quarantine may take place at any time, provided that is for at least 90 days.
Any motorized or trailered watercraft and/or detachable gas motor used in Waterton Lakes National Park must have a Waterton seal applied in the park by Waterton Shoreline Cruise Co.
The seal and 90-day quarantine is required for any motorized or trailered watercraft and/or detachable gas motors operating in Waterton Lakes National Park.
Any seal applied in Waterton is valid only in Waterton Lakes National Park.
You will need to call and make an appointment with Waterton Shoreline Cruise Co. and bring your clean, drained, and dry watercraft and trailer to the Waterton Marina, where it will undergo a visual inspection. You will purchase a new quarantine seal and have it attached to your watercraft and trailer. Your watercraft and trailer will be quarantined for 90 days before it can be launched in Waterton Lakes National Park. This also applies to trailered motorized watercraft and detachable gas motors.
To enter park waters, the watercraft and trailer and/or detachable gas motor must go through the quarantine process to do so.
I completed the 90 day quarantine program, launched my boat for the day, and had it re-sealed upon removal. Do I need to complete another 90 day quarantine? No. You may re-enter Upper and Middle Waterton lake again, provided your new seal is still affixed when you arrive back. If your seal is broken or tampered with for any reason, such as use of your boat at another lake, only then would you have to complete a 90-day quarantine. Seals have unique serial numbers to track motorboats that have completed the program.
It is important to note that inspections are not limited to motorized craft, please click on the link for additional information.
https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/