Power Boating - Cross Georgian Bay (9 - 10 Days)

Day 1

The Ports Cruising Guide Georgian Bay edition is an invaluable resource while traveling by boat in the Georgian Bay region and can be purchased online or at Georgian Bay marinas.

Travel from Midland or Penetanguishene today, stopping for the night at Beckwith Island, before going the distance to the Bruce Peninsula tomorrow.

Distance:

Midland/Penetanguishene to Beckwith Island (approximately 15 nautical miles)

Day 2

Cross the Bay, traveling to Wingfield Basin, a protected anchorage within the Cabot Head Provincial Nature Reserve. Ashore, you will find the Cabot Head Lighthouse and Museum within a short walking distance. View the artifacts in the restored keeper’s dwelling and climb to the lantern room for a view over Georgian Bay. (Open May 1 to Thanksgiving weekend, 9am – sunset).

Distance:

BeckwithIsland to Wingfield Basin (approximately 56 nautical miles)

Things to Do:

Cabot Head Lighthouse & Museum
PO Box 233, Lions Head
Location: Located at Cabot Head. Turn East off Hwy 6 onto Dyers Bay Rd. Follow through Dyers Bay and bear right for the shore road to Cabot Head - follow it to the end. (Please use caution when driving through Dyers Bay).
P. 519-795-7780
http://www.cabothead.ca
 

Day 3

Stop in Tobermory today and do some exploring. This quaint village is a great place to stop and stock up, and check out the local attractions. Unfortunately low water levels of recent years have made Flowerpot Island inaccessible to pleasure craft. Instead you can take a glass bottom boat cruise to the island, where you can disembark and hike the trail to the former lighthouse keeper’s quarters, passing the sea stack “flowerpots” along the way. Back ashore, hike the Bruce Trail from the terminus cairn on the south side of the harbour to the Parks Canada Visitor Centre, where you can learn about the history of the area, and climb the lookout tower for a bird’s eye view of Georgian Bay.

Distance:

Wingfield Basin to Tobermory (approximately 16 nautical miles)

Accommodation Options:

Blue Bay Motel
32 Bay Street South, Tobermory
P. 519-596-2392
http://www.bluebay-motel.com
Innisfree B&B
46 Bay Street, Tobermory
P. 519-596-8190
http://www.tobermoryaccommodations.com
Tobermory Princess Hotel
34 Bay Street South, Tobermory
P. 1-877-901-8282
http://tobermoryprincesshotel.com/

Dining Options:

The Grandview
8 Earl Street, Tobermory
P. 705-443-8776
http://www.grandview-tobermory.com/
Crowsnest Pub & Restaurant
5 Bay Street, PO BOX 98,, Tobermory
P. 519-596-2575
http://crowsnestpub.ca/

Things to Do:

Flowerpot Island
Tobermory
Parks Canada Visitor Centre
Chi sin tib dek Road, Tobermory
P. 519-596-2233
http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/on/bruce/ne/ne01_E.asp
Parks Canada Visitor Centre Lookout Tower
Chi sin tib dek Road, Tobermory
Location: 7374 Highway 6 (on Alexandra St off of Codrington St)
P. 519-596-2233
http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/on/bruce/ne/ne01_E.asp

Suppliers:

The Blue Heron Company
24 Carlton Street, Tobermory
P. 519-596-2999 / P. 1-855-596-2999
http://www.blueheronco.com
 

Day 4

Set your sights on Killarney today, a quaint fishing village along the north shore of Georgian Bay. Once ashore, begin exploring. Plan to spend some time canoeing, kayaking or hiking in Killarney Provincial Park the jewel of the Ontario Parks. Killarney Outfitters offers daytrips and half daytrips. Be sure to stop by Herbert Fisheries Mr. Perch for their amazing whitefish. You’ll find them in the red bus located directly on the dock.

Distance:

Tobermory to Killarney (approximately 46 nautical miles)

Accommodation Options:

Killarney Mountain Lodge
Village of Killarney, Killarney
Directions: In the Village of Killarney
P. 1-800-461-1117
http://www.killarney.com
 

Dining Options:

Herbert Fisheries Mister Perch
21 Channel Street, Killarney
P. 705-287-2214
http://herbertfisheries.ca/
Killarney Mountain Lodge
Killarney
P. 1-800-461-1117
http://www.killarney.com

Things to Do:

Killbear Provincial Park
#35 Killbear Park Road, RR#1, Nobel
Location: Take Exit #247 off Hwy 400 to Hwy 559 then west on Dillon Rd.
P. 705-342-5492
https://www.ontarioparks.com/park/killbear
 

Suppliers:

Killarney Outfitters
Killarney
P. 705-287-2828 / P. 1-800-461-1117
http://www.killarney.com/outdoor-guided-trips.php
 

Day 5

Back to the beautiful Bruce Peninsula today, and a stop over at Wingfield Basin, before heading further south tomorrow.

Distance:

Killarney to Wingfield Basin (approximately 46 nautical miles)

Day 6

Arriving in Lion’s Head today, you’ll be greated by a pretty little village with the limestone cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment in the background. The marina is home to the Lion’s Head Lighthouse, a replica lighthouse built by local highschool students in 1983, from the plans for the original lighthouse which was built in 1903. The Bruce Trail runs through town, offering hiking for enthusiasts, and there is a town beach complete with playground.

Distance:

Wingfield Basin to Lion’s Head (approximately 16 nautical miles)

Accommodation Options:

Taylor-Made B&B
31 Byron Street, Lion's Head
P. 877-434-9464
http://www.taylormade.bb-bruce.com
 

Dining Options:

Lion's Head Inn
8 Helen Street, Lion's Head
P. 519-793-4601
http://www.lionsheadinn.ca
Marydale's Restaurant
76 Main Street, Lion's Head
P. 519-793-4224
Rachel's Bakery and Cafe 50's Diner
79 Main Street, Lion's Head
P. 519-793-3982

Things to Do:

Bruce Trail
Bruce Peninsula Section - Wiarton to Tobermory
Location: See trail map for details - White Blazes are main trail, Blue Blazes are side trails
P. 905-529-6821 / P. 1-800-665-4453
http://www.brucetrail.org
Lion's Head Beach
1 Forbes Street, Lion's Head
P. 1-800-268-3838
http://www.explorethebruce.com
Lion's Head Lighthouse & Marina
Lion's Head
Location: Take Cty Rd 9 east off Hwy 6. Turn left and follow the signs to the harbour
P. 1-800-268-3838
http://explorethebruce.com/things-to-do/lighthouses/

Day 7

Make your way back to Beckwith Island today, and make it your resting spot on your way to Beausoleil Island tomorrow.

Distance:

Lion’s Head to Beckwith Island (approximately 53 nautical miles)

Day 8

Make your way to Beausoleil Island today, home of the Georgian Bay Islands National Park. This park is accessible by water only, and offers camping, hiking, swimming and park interpretation for overnighters as well as daytrippers. Pick up a visitor’s guide at any of the docks within the park for all the information. Beausoleil Island features several docks to choose from for the night. Tie up and spend the rest of the day exploring.

Distance:

Beckwith to Beausoleil Island (approximately 15 nautical miles)

Things to Do:

Georgian Bay Islands National Park
Honey Harbour/Beausoleil Island
Location: By boat only - Beausoleil Island
P. 705-527-7200
http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/on/georg/index_E.asp
 

Day 9

Return to Midland or Penetanguishene today, and spend some time visiting these historical communities before making your way home.

Distance:

Beausoleil Island to Midland/Penetanguishene (approximately 6-10 nautical miles depending on location)

Accommodation Options:

Knights Inn, Midland
751 Yonge Street, Midland
P. 705-526-2219
http://www.knightsinn.com/hotels/ontario/midland/knights-inn-midland/hotel-overview
1875 A Charter's Inn
290 Second Street, Midland
P. 1-800-724-2979
http://www.chartersinn.com/
Diverse Rentals and Vacations Floatel
708 Champlain Road, PO Box 5025, Penetanguishene
P. 705-549-2991
http://www.hindsonmarine.on.ca/

Dining Options:

Cellarman's Ale House
337 King Street, Midland
P. 705-526-8223
http://cellarmans.ca/
Dino's Fresh Food Deli
319 King Street, Midland
P. 705-526-2431
http://dinosfreshfooddeli.com/
Henry's
3282 Ogdens Beach Rd, Midland
P. 705-528-1919
http://www.henrysfishrestaurant.com/
The Boathouse Eatery
177 King Street, Midland
Directions: At the Town Dock
P. 705-527-7480
http://www.boathouseeatery.com/
The Library Restaurant
526 Hugel Street, Midland
P. 705-528-0100
http://www.thelibraryrestaurant.ca
The Olympia
924 King Street, Midland
P. 705-529-3873
http://www.olympiagardens.com/
Ciboulette et Cie
248 King Street, Midland
P. 705-245-0410
http://www.cibouletteetcie.ca/
The Ladybug Café
342 King St., Midland
P. 705-526-4851
http://ladybugcafe.ca/
Lilly's Italian Eatery
223 King Street, Midland
P. 705-245-0909
Blue Sky Family Restaurant & Tavern
32 Main Street, Penetanguishene
P. 705-549-8611
http://www.shopmidland.com/microsite/index.cfm?listingid=1000983
World Famous Dock Lunch
4 Main Street, Penetanguishene
Directions: Penetanguishene Town Dock
P. 705-549-8111
http://www.penetang.com/docklunch/?listing.action=reviews

Things to Do:

Sauble Beach
Sauble Beach
Location: Take Bruce County Rd 8 to the Town of Sauble Beach
P. 519-422-2457
http://www.saublebeach.com