Midland to Tobermory

Molson

Molson

Active Member
Aug 5, 2011
1,118
Midland, ON
Boat Info
1997 330 DA
Engines
Twin 7.4 carb V-Drives
My wife and I were talking about where we'd like to go this year for one of our boat trips. Last year we went to Parry Sound area and also ventured up the Trent again.

While we like the trent, and some day want to go the distance, I don't think we'll get to it this season with water levels the way they are, and also with Parks Canada messing with a good thing.

We thought Tobermory would be a great place to spend a few days for the 3 of us (will be a 1 year old come boating season)

Have any other of the Southern Georgian Bay boaters ventured out that way? I assume its a straight forward crossing in good weather, but might have to hug Nottawasaga Bay/Owen Sound area if it kicks up.

Thanks!
Jim
 
Tobermory is a fun place to visit but I am not sure you want to stay there for 3 full days. I was there in 2008. We spent one day doing all the water sights. Glass bottom boat, etc... And another day eating and shopping. Our third day, we rented a car and took the ferry over to Manitoulin Island. We rented a car so we could explore the whole island. The water is gorgeous and the people are gracious. So, staying another day and just loafing might be nice.

Enjoy,

Dan
 
Thanks Dan, we might poke around the local anchorages and explore. I hope to have a dingy by then to make life easier. If we get bored we might head across to the island, or even head into Owen Sound to poke around.
 
Jim,
Tobermorey is a great place to spend three days. In fact, plan for it! I have never been there for an overnight that hasn't turned into a three day stay due to the winds and seas picking up. It's not an underwater national park for no reason - there's lot's of wrecks.

Staying right in downtown is great. There's usually lots going on. The bruce trail starts nearby and is great for hiking, however maybe not so great for the 1 year old unless you can still pop him in a back pack carrier at that age.

The Wingfield basin at Cabot Head is a great place to do an overnight anchorage either on the way up or back. Very nice and sheltered.

Let me know if you have any specific questions.

Paul
 
Thanks Paul, I was thinking of the Wingfield Basin, I was reading about the Gargantuan wreck there. It looks like a great place to drop anchor and spend a night. I haven't been to Tobermory since I was a kid, and I recall the turquoise waters. I'll let you know as we get closer.
 
Here's a shot of the wreck of the Gargantuan with us and a couple of friends rafted in the background.

046WreckoftheGargantuan.jpg


The water is spectacularly clear up around Tobermorey.

Paul
 
When I see these discussions and pics...I miss home! Tobermory is a wonderful place. Have fun!

Mark
 
Jim,

lf you are heading to Tobermorey, you just have to pick your days to get across The Bay. We did the trip at least annually from Victoria Harbour for fifteen years. Many times it was in our 28' along with our friends in their Prestancia. We have always just shot across from Lottie Wolf rock right past Wingfield Basin, which as Paul said is a good Harbour of refuge. However you do have an alternate of running up to Killbear in the shelter of the small craft route, then zipping across next morning for a shorter run. There's enough to do for a couple of days with some decent diners and it is a pretty town. The water is so clear!

We used to dock over at Flowerpot and hike the island but that's probably not allowed any longer. We also liked to take our bow pulpit right up to the one large flowerpot. Rent a wetsuit and snorkel on a couple of wrecks but the water there never warms up.

Over the years we looked at Tobermorey more as a fuel stop, maybe overnight as we jumped across to Michigan or went up around Manitoulin Island. Most of the time we were fairly fortunate with the weather.

Good luck, have fun.

James
 
Thanks James, didn't think of heading to Parry Sound area then cutting across. I guess in my head it seemed a longer crossing. I was thinking of crossing from the south end of Christian Island towards the Bruce Peninsula.

I'm sure we'll do it on our week off, so we will have time to plan it, and maybe head up towards Manitoulin or Killarney area.
 
Jim,

If you draw straight line back from Cabot Head the closest marina on the east side is probably Henry's, then Killbear. Parry Sound is a great place, we went there every Canada Day, but it's a bit of a hike into the sound and back out. To get across the bay I've always done the shot up past Hope Island but one time I wished we had gotten up to Killbear first for a shorter crossing the next day because the weather gods were not cooperating. It's just an option to consider if your first day is not the greatest then you can do a counter-clockwise trip of hugging the small craft route up to Killarney and swinging down to Tobermorey later in the week. It allows you to completely alter your route the second day and still cover the same ground. Winds are usually westerly so you may have good luck crossing the bay on the return. I always left really early, around dawn and allowed about four and a half hours, so almost every crossing was just fine. It's a great trip!

James
 
Thanks James!

We hit Parry Sound for a couple days last year, had a great time. Big Sound Marina is quite nice for a transient only place. We even took a sightseeing flights on Georgian Bay Airways float plane. I like the idea of heading towards Killarney then shooting down. Plenty of options available. Plus, with the new dingy, it may be nice to go explore the coves and bays of the north shore.
 
We were at Henry's last summer then headed out to Tobermory. I think the crossing was about 3-4 hours, but don't quote me. I'd have to look it up.

What was supposed to be an overnight turned into 3 nights. We ended up staying at Little Tub Harbour in downtown. The storm was pretty intense so spots were few and far between. Everyone was hunkered down for at least those 3 nights. Standard practice for Tobermory, or so we were told. We did the trail, downtown area, rented bikes. None of the tours were going on due to the storm. If you are going to be there definitely watch the weather as it could turn quickly.
 
Thanks Bresco.

We've decided to hit Killarney and the North Channel instead. Going to go with the Parkbridge Powerboat Rendezvous. They take a week and head up to Killarney area. Typically 20 or so boats. We are really looking forward to it.
 
Time to revive this thread. We're taking this trip next week, leaving Saturday if anyone is in the area. Heading across from top of Christian Island over to Cape Croker for the night, then poking our way towards Tobermory.
 
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