One of the great summertime activities in Toronto is to take the ferry over and visit the islands. For those of us without cottages, or ways to escape the city during the summer, the islands offer a break that feels like a getaway right in the heart of the city.

The Friends of Toronto Islands free Android app I think most Torontonians will find handy when traveling to the islands. It’s very simple and provides great information.

The app offers a complete schedule of ferries going to and from each island, so you will be able to see the next arrival or departure from your smartphone and can plan accordingly without the wait, unless everyone is leaving at the same time.

For each route, the next three departure times are shown. Times change colour as it gets closer to departure. Blue means there is more than 15 minutes until departure, orange indicates 10 minutes from departure and red indicates five minutes from departure. In addition, if you cannot wait for a ferry, the main screen gives users the ability to call for a water taxi.

This app from the Friends of Toronto Islands is very simple and easy-to-use, but it does not go beyond simple ferry schedules and links to water taxi companies. The potential for this app is great and should be explored.

For example, through this app, visitors should be allowed to purchase ferry tickets, book picnic tables, bicycles and boats rentals, and include maps of the islands for those who have never visited, or aren’t quite sure where to go.

To go even one step further, this app could include a link to make a complaint or suggestion to Parks staff to ensure the islands remain as clean and safe as possible.

This would require some coordination on the City’s part, but could be well worth it as it would make the process to purchase, book and rent much more convenient. 

In the meantime, if you are looking to visit the islands this weekend, or at some point during the summer, I recommend downloading this app as a safeguard against missing your ride back to the city.

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Rob Kirsic writes the App of the Week column for Toronto Standard. Follow him @robertkirsic.

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