Manitoulin Lighthouses & Heritage (4 Days)

Visit the lighthouses and take in the heritage of Manitoulin Island, the world's largest freshwater island. This 4 day tour is complete with suggestions on where to stay and eat along the way.

Day 1

Make your way to Manitoulin Island, the world’s largest freshwater island, where your tour begins. Take the Chi-Cheemaun ferry from Tobermory to South Baymouth. While you sail, be sure to pay particular attention as you pass Cove Island (approximately 30 minutes into your sailing). The Cove Island Lighthouse, one of the six Imperial Towers sits along the northeast corner of the island, in full view as the ferry passes by (weather depending). Once you dock in South Baymouth, make your way to the marina, where you can view the South Baymouth Front & Rear Range Lights, both marked with long red stripes running their height to provide ships with markers by day. Once you’ve settled in at your accommodation, take a stroll along Providence Bay’s crescent shaped beach, or the boardwalk before dinner.

Distance:

Tobermory to South Baymouth by ferry (approximately 2 hours sailing time)
South Baymouth to Providence Bay (30 km (19 miles), 45 mins)

Accommodation Options:

Auberge Inn
71 McNevin, Providence Bay
P. 1-877-977-4392
http://www.aubergeinn.ca
 

Dining Options:

The School House Restaurant
47 McNevin Street, Providence Bay
P. 705-377-4055
http://www.schoolhouserestaurant.ca/
Garden's Gate Restaurant
Hwy 542, Tehkummah
P. 705-859-2088
http://www.manitoulin-island.com/gardensgate/index.html
Royal Michael's Bay
221 Pennie Avenue, PO Box 1, Tehkummah
P. 705-859-1111
http://www.royalmichaelsbay.com/

Things to Do:

Chi-Cheemaun
8 Eliza Street - Tobermory or South Baymouth
P. 1-800-265-3163
http://www.ontarioferries.com
Cove Island Lighthouse
Cove Island
Location: Located on the north east corner of Cove Island. Access restricted - view from private boat, Chi-Cheemaun or take a tour boat from the harbour.
P. 1-800-268-3838
http://explorethebruce.com/things-to-do/lighthouses/
Providence Bay Beach
Providence Bay
Location: Providence Bay Beach
P. 705-368-3021
• South Baymouth Front & Rear Range Lights
South Baymouth
Location: Front Range - rocky beach on the other side of the marina; Rear Range - on private property across from the marina

Day 2

Head for Meldrum Bay on the western coast of the island this morning. Here you’ll find the Mississagi Lighthouse and the Net Shed Museum. The lighthouse has been turned into a museum complete with replica furnishings and you can climb the light tower. The Net Shed Museum, is located in the former net shed used by local fisherman, and displays fishing and marine heritage artifacts. After lunch, you’ll make your way to the north end of the island, stopping in Gore Bay for the night. Before you check in at your accommodation, make one more stop at the Gore Bay (Janet Head) Lighthouse. This lighthouse is now a private home, but is open to the public during July and August from 1 to 3 pm Tuesday to Saturday.

Distance:

Providence Bay to Meldrum Bay (90 km (55 miles), 2 hours 15 mins)
Meldrum Bay to Gore Bay (40 km (25 miles), 50 mins)

Accommodation Options:

Queen's Inn
19 Water Street, Gore Bay
P. 705-282-0665
http://www.thequeensinn.ca
The Stone House B & B
29 Phipps Street, PO Box 266, Gore Bay
P. 705-282-1615
http://www.bbcanada.com/stonehouse
Martha's Inn
6 Borron Street, Gore Bay
P. 705-282-8738
http://marthas-inn.blogspot.com/

Dining Options:

Café on the Bay
24 Water Street, Gore Bay
P. 705-282-3111
 

Things to Do:

Gore Bay (Janet Head) Lighthouse
Gore Bay
Location: End of Water Street
Mississagi Lighthouse
Meldrum Bay
Location: Follow Hwy 540 to Meldrum Bay, then take Mississagi Lighthouse Rd. Located 12 km west of Meldrum Bay.
Net Shed Museum
Meldrum Bay
Location: Main street in the village
P. 705-282-2040
http://www.manitoulin-island.com/museums/netshed_museum.htm

Day 3

You’ll follow the north shore of the island today, first stopping in Kagawong to view the Kagawong Lighthouse, guarding the harbour as it sits at the tip of Mudge Bay. Next you’ll visit the Transportation & Communication Museum and its recreated fishing and shipping port. Before leaving town, be sure to stop at the beautiful cascading Bridal Veil Falls. Once you arrive in Little Current, you’ll want to view the swing bridge. Swinging 15 minutes on the hour, it’s the oldest swing bridge in North America. From your vantage point viewing the bridge, you should be able to make out the Strawberry Island Lighthouse in the distance, sitting on the northern edge of Strawberry Island.

Distance:

Gore Bay to Kagawong (20 km (12 miles), 25 mins)
Kagawong to Little Current (45 km (28 miles), 55 mins)

Accommodation Options:

White's Point B&B
522 Whites Point Road, Little Current
Directions: (Whites point road is 2 kms south of Little Current on Hwy 6)
P. 705-368-2803
http://www.bedbreakfasthome.com/whitespointbb/
 

Things to Do:

Bridal Veil Falls
Kagawong
Location: Hwy 540 at Kagawong
Kagawong Lighthouse
Kagawong
Location: Located near the marina on the hill above the harbour
Strawberry Island Lighthouse
Little Current
Location: Northern edge of Strawberry Island just off the north end of Manitoulin
Swing Bridge
Little Current
Location: Hwy 6 to the information centre for parking.
Old Mill Heritage Centre and Post Office Museum
Kagawong
Location: by the harbour
P. 705-282-1442
http://www.manitoulin-island.com/museums/transportation_museum.htm

Day 4

On this, the last day of your Manitoulin Lighthouses & Marine Heritage tour, stop in Sheguiandah at the Centennial Museum to learn about the history of shipping on the North Channel. Then make your way to Manitowaning and the Assiginack Museum Complex, home of the S.S. Norisle, a 220 foot steamship on display at Heritage Park before heading home.

Distance:

Little Current to Sheguiandah (10 km (6 miles), 10 mins)
Sheguiandah to Manitowaning (26 km (16 miles), 25 mins) and home.

Things to Do:

Assiginack Museum Complex
Arthur Street, Manitowaning
P. 705-859-3905
http://www.manitoulin-island.com/museums/assiginack_complex.htm
Centennial Museum of Sheguiandah
Sheguiandah
Location: Highway 6
P. 705-368-2367
http://www.manitoulin-island.com/museums/centennial_museum.html