Tobermory Harbour:
If you like shopping or just taking a stroll, "Little Tub" Harbour
– just outside your front door – has something for
everyone. There are Tour Boats, souvenir shops, dive shops, The Sweet
Shop, Pub, restaurants, clothing stores, hair dresser, crafts and the
National Park Information Centre. There is also the harbour traffic
itself. Sit on the dock and watch the hustle and bustle of a busy
summers day.
Tobermory is unique in that it has two harbours.
The second is called "Big Tub". A visit to the "Big Tub" Light House
will provide an exceptional view of the Islands of Fathom
Five National Marine Park. In the winter, this is
particularly spectacular since Big Tub Harbour often freezes and you
can walk out on the ice for a unique view of the harbour &
Islands. Visitors should note that Big Tub is surrounded by private
property owners and only the Light House provides access to the shore.
Tour Boats:
One of the most popular things to do while visiting Tobermory is to
take a tour boat to Flowerpot Island. You can take a trip around the
Island or you can be dropped off for a hike on the trail. If you wish
you can visit the Light Station (a 20-minute hike from the dock) and
visit with the volunteers who are working to restore the site.
Or if you prefer, take a tour around the Islands
of Fathom Five National Marine Park and down the Georgian Bay shoreline
to view the incredible cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment from a totally
different perspective. Or take a sunset cruise – an
incredible experience! The local tour boat operators will be happy to
explain their different trip options.
Chi-Cheemaun Ferry:
Since 1974, the MS Chi-Cheemaun has made the northern crossing between Tobermory and South Baymouth, Manitoulin Island. Click here for schedule and rates
Bruce Peninsula Helicopters
Bruce Peninsula Helicopters Ltd. operates from Wiarton Airport just east of the town of Wiarton on the shore of Colpoys Bay, a wide, deep inlet of Georgian Bay. Wiarton, located on Highway #6, is known as, The Gateway to the Peninsula and is famous as the home of Canada most trusted meteorologist, Wiarton Willie. Click here for schedule and rates
Restaurants:
There are many excellent restaurants in Tobermory. Each serve the local
"Georgian Bay Whitefish" – you can enjoy it fried, grilled,
blackened, baked – there are many options. There are copies
of menus on display in the Lobby and directions can be provided.
Dinner Cruises:
What an extraordinary experience! Cruise to Manitoulin Island,
watch the sunset and avail yourself of the marvellous dinner served
aboard the Chi-Cheemaun
Ferry. Meals are exceptional and service is excellent.
Reservations are required and these dinners book up very quickly. To
make reservations call (800) 265-3163 (English) or (800) 461-2621
(French)
Canoeing/Boating/Kayaking:
Lake Huron, Georgian Bay and its islands and several inland lakes
provide opportunities for visitors to canoe or kayak. Rental equipment
and instruction is available locally.
Diving and Snorkelling:
Tobermory is the diving capital of Canada. There are 20+ shipwrecks,
underwater caves and other underwater geological features to view. If
you do not have your own boat, there are some accessible shore dives or
local charters available. If you do not have your own equipment, you
can rent what you need at the local dive shops in the Tobermory
Harbour.
There are several areas nearby, such as the "Tugs"
which provide excellent snorkelling. Equipment is available for rent at
local Dive Shops.
Swimming:
There are several excellent local areas for swimming in Tobermory. We
can direct you to the best spots.
Hiking:
Tobermory is a hikers heaven! The two National Parks – Bruce
Peninsula National Park and Fathom
Five National Marine Park – provide many trails to
enjoy. If you wish to walk in the woods, view wildflowers, take
photographs or hike up and down hills and rocky shores, we have
suitable trails within a short distance. Lengths and difficulty vary,
offering vastly different and fascinating sights. The Georgian Bay
trails (Bruce Trail) are the most difficult and offer some of the most
spectacular scenery.
There are maps available, as well as details of
all the trails in the immediate area and those within a short drive. If
you require a packed a lunch for your day on the trails the grocery
store or local restaurants can provide sandwiches and cold drinks.
Bring your hiking boots or hard-soled shoes, your back pack and your
cameras!
Birding:
An incredible variety of birds inhabit or migrate through the Upper
Bruce Peninsula and make birdwatching an exciting pastime, any time of
the year.
Migration starts as early as mid-March with some
of the waterfowl and less interesting birds such as starlings.
Mid-April sees the return of the turkey vultures, hawks, falcons and
the occasional eagle. There are snipe, grouse, great blue heron,
osprey, cardinals, hummingbirds, purple martins, cedar waxwings,
orioles, warblers, wrens, woodpeckers, robins, sparrows, ducks, Canada
geese and blackbirds of every description. The list is endless.
In September, the migration south begins. In winter, a suet ball or the
many feeders attract chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers, blue jays,
cardinals and juncos.
There are many areas close by that provide varied
habitats in which to view these birds.
Bring your binoculars and enjoy!
Cycling:
Many people cycle up the Peninsula to participate in the activities
available in this area. Please note, this activity is not permitted on
the trails in the National Park or along the Bruce Trail on the
Peninsula.
Wildflowers and Ferns:
The Bruce Peninsula is fortunate in its abundance. Along the mainland
trails or on Flowerpot Island you can view many varieties of wildflower
& fern - some rare and unique such as the Lakeside Daisy (May
to June)- some common, but spectacular such as the trillium (April to
May) or Goldenrod (June to August), or Ground Cherry (June to July) or
Crested Arrowhead (July to September).
Spring brings the many varieties of Orchid such as
Showy Lady Slipper, Calypso, Alaskan, etc. Along our many trails can be
seen many of Ontario's varieties of ferns, such as Maidenhair, Bracken,
Marsh Fern, Wall Rue, Ostrich Fern or Lady Fern and many more.
Bring your cameras!
Horseback Riding:
Riding stables are located just a short drive from Tobermory at the
Purple Valley. They offer several trail ride opportunities for enjoying
the Peninsula from a unique perspective.
Indian Village:
Cha Mao Zah (a long, long time ago in Ojibway) gives visitors a taste
of Native living long ago. Visitors can participate in craft workshops
or educational seminars or shop at the Indian Carver. For information
call or Fax (519) 596-2708.
National Parks:
Tobermory is fortunate to have adjacent to it, two National Parks. Fathom
Five is Canada's first National Marine Park with several
islands, many shipwrecks and excellent geological features. The Niagara
Escarpment sinks beneath the waters of Georgian Bay here and rises
again on Flowerpot Island.
Bruce
Peninsula National Park encompasses a large portion of the
Upper Peninsula and is home to many unique features --- from the cliffs
of the Niagara Escarpment and the Bruce Trail on one side --- to the
sand dunes and alvars of Dorcas Bay in Lake Huron on the other side.
These Parks provide many opportunities for visitors to experience
Canada's National Parks.
Weather:
Parks Canada and the Department of the Environment provide daily
weather and Park messages on 90.7 FM. Tune in for information and
current weather conditions.
Tobermory Municipal Airport:
The airstrip at Tobermory has a paved runway 3180 feet in length and 75 feet wide.
The Arcal runway lights operate automatically.
The Tobermory Municipal Airport is located N45 14 W81 38.
The Tobermory Airport is owned and operated by the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula and is located just off Highway #6 on Warner Bay Road.
Airport services include fuel (100 low lead, Avgas) oil, hangars, tie-downs, free parking, picnic tables, and Tobermory Unicom Radio - frequency 122.8.
Open seasonally each year from May to October 31st, the Airport is staffed during all daylight hours in the summer and 6-days a week during the off-season.
We are happy to provide a shuttle service for registered guests from the airport to the motel at no charge! Please contact us for scheduling.
Medical Services:
Tobermory Clinic located on Highway #6 is available for any emergency
medical care for visitors to our area. If you have need of such
service, your hosts can provide directions and phone numbers. The
Medical Clinic also has a Hyperbaric Chamber for any dive emergency.
Cell Phones:
There is a cell located in Tobermory for the convenience of visitors.
However, certain Cell Phones such as Fido and Clearnet do not work in
our area.
Automotive Service Centre:
There is a certified mechanic on duty at Mike's Garage on Highway #6
across from the Golf Course.
Pharmacy:
The closest Pharmacy is located in Lion's Head a 30 minute drive away.
However, miscellaneous items such as aspirin, Tylenol, antacids,
bandages, etc. can be found at the local grocery store in Little Tub
Harbour or the convenience store on Highway #6 (beside the Gas Station).
