Discover one of the most majestic vacation destinations in Canada and the world; the North Channel and Manitoulin Island. A holiday paradise offering a world class adventure that is safe, affordable and easily accessible.
           

Manitoulin Island is the world's largest freshwater island and is also home to Lake Manitou; which is one of the largest fresh water lakes to be within this freshwater island.

            Manitoulin is overflowing with natures’ wonders.  These include the miraculous hues of foaming water that crashes along rugged river bottoms.  Slippery streams of bright spring water streaming out of the earth’s natural crevices. There are also historic towns, festivals, superb recreation and an assortment of inland lakes. Manitoulin also is home to wilderness retreats and wildlife sanctuaries. Celebrate Native heritage and cultural events as well as unique museums. Explore deepwater caves, famous shipwrecks and ancient coral formations. There is a wide selection of accommodations that are available to visitors, including; lodges, resorts, campgrounds, bed & breakfasts’ and motels.

Manitoulin is a very popular destination for boaters as the North Channel of Lake Huron was recognized by many boating magazines, as a "Boater’s Paradise" with over thirty thousand islands and countless secluded coves, bays and inlets. The visitor will find towns; marinas and resorts dot the vast stretches of wilderness shoreline in one of the world's top sailing waters.

There are many small towns located on Manitoulin Island. Below are activities to do on Manitoulin Island then main places of interest with a description of the town and places to stay.

Manitoulin Activities

Cycling
Manitoulin Island's picturesque backroads are popular with cyclists. Vehicle traffic is generally light, although cyclists are warned to let ferry traffic get well ahead of them on Highway 6, and to watch out for unique features like logging trucks, slow moving farm vehicles, and the occasional cattle drive. A helpful book, cycling the Backroads of Manitoulin, lays out day trips for cyclists exploring Manitoulin. For information on Manitoulin cycling package tours, contact Bike Manitoulin: (705)377-4272.

The Cup and Saucer Hiking Trail
The Cup and Saucer Trail, located 20 miles west of Little Current, is one of Manitoulin Island's premier tourist destinations. This unique hiking trail offers a panoramic view of over 35 miles from 250 foot high cliff lookouts. Lover trail is 2.7 km and the upper trial is 5.4 km in length. The adventure trail, a 2-km option on the top of the escarpment, takes the avid hiker up and down sturdy ladders, up a natural rock chimney and along narrow ledges for a panoramic view of the North Channel of Lake Huron. For more information call 1-800-465-6655.

Bridal Veil Falls
This trail is located on Highway 540 at the entrance to Kagawong. A picnic area at the top of the falls leads down to the base of the falls, and the trail follows both sides of the stream of the bay. While you are there, take a dip in the falls, and take the walking tour of the old town. This walk will take approximately 1 to 2 hours. For more information call 1-800-465-6655.

M.V. Chi-Cheemaun
Take a break from the highway! Come aboard the M.V. Chi-Cheemaun for one of Ontario's most popular ferry rides connecting the Bruce Peninsula and Manitoulin Island. Make the scenic Georgian Bay-Lake Huron crossing in comfort and safety with our highly-specialized and professional crew. Experience 30 years of exceptional sailing history. Discovery a fascinating region just waiting to capture the imagination of all ages.
(May to October) 1-800-265-3163 or visit www.ontarioferries.com

M'Chigeeng Trail
Just south of West Bay behind the ball park the two trails of M'Chigeeng Trail begin. One traverses along the bottom of the bluff and the other goes to the very top. The Bear Caves and Fossil Rock Point are two spots of interest. The top of the bluff offers outstanding views of the North Channel. For more information call 1-800-465-6655.

Wagg's Woods Trails
Directly across the street from the municipal office in Mindemoya hikers can enjoy the leafy bower of an old hardwood forest, dense with maple, basswood, birch and ash. For more information call 1-800-465-6655.

Agricultural Museum
Long-time Mindemoya resident, Jack Seabrook proudly displays his wide collection of pre-war tractors, gas engines, horse drawn equipment, small farm artifacts and power machinery. Located in Mindemoya, the museum is easily recognized by its windmill. For more information call 1-800-465-6655.

Gordon’s Park Wilderness Retreat & Interpretive Center
Gordon’s Park Wilderness Retreat & Interpretive Center on Hwy 6, 13 minutes from the Chi-Cheemaun Ferry Terminal is an Attractions Canada Award winner offering bed & breakfast, teepee tenting, camping, rustic cabin and activities including: Mini golf, solar heated swimming pool, nature interpretive center, hiking trails, archery, store, cycling routes, astronomy, bird watching, horseshoes, playground, women’s weekends, camp programs and a summertime calendar of events. Phone/Fax: (705)859-2470 or visit www.gordonspark.com 

Fishing
The Island has been attracting sports fishermen for decades. One avid sports fisherman calls Manitoulin "one of the finest fishing holes in the province of Ontario." Of course, Manitoulin isn't a fishing hole. Its many fishing holes - creeks, rivers and lakes - each with its unique population of sports fish.
Charters - For those who like the royal treatment, almost every lodge will supply fishing guides and every one of Manitoulin's and North Shore's "big water" ports has one or more resident charter fishing boat operators ready and waiting to take the visitor out for a day or half-day's adventure. For information contact The Manitoulin Tourism Association (705)368-3021 or LaCloche Information Centre at Espanola (705)869-6555.

Brookwood Brae Golf Course - Established in 1964, has the distinction of being Manitoulin's first golf course. It is family owned and operated by the Seabrooks. This challenging 9 hole, par 36 course on Lake Mindemoya's Ketchankookem Trail boasts a fully licensed course with air conditioned clubhouse. Pro-shop. Club and cart rentals. For more information please call (705) 377 - 4979 or visit www.manitoulin-island.com

 

Manitoulin Island Country Club - Located in a pastoral setting just 1 km south of Gore Bay on Hwy 542. The 9 hole, par 36 course is set on rolling terrain with treed fairways. There is water, (two ponds), on the course which also features 3 sets of keys, (yellow, white and red). Golfing at Manitoulin Island Country Club is 'open'. There is a licensed clubhouse, a restaurant and a small pro shop to visit. Power and pull carts and club rentals are available. For more information please call 705-282-2282

Charter a Yacht
Charter a yacht with Canadian Yacht Charters or Discovery Yacht Charters. They offer Bareboat Charters, Skippered Cruises, Day Sails and Sailing and Cruising School.

For more information from Canadian Yacht Charters please call 1-800-565-0022 or 1-705-282-0185 or visit the website www.cycnorth.com

For more information from Discovery Yacht Charters please call 1-800-268-8222 or 1-705-368-3744 or visit the website www.sailingdiscovery.com

Horse Back Riding

Kicking Mule Ranch, located on Canada's Manitoulin Island, provides a variety of horseback riding and entertainment experiences that provide happy memories for tomorrow. Proprietors Daniel and Willie Graham have helped hundreds of customers blaze happy trails to add to their Manitoulin Island experiences.
Please call 1-705-377-5767

LITTLE CURRENT

            Little Current is the largest town, and the northern gateway to Manitoulin Island. It is located on the northeastern shore of Manitoulin, where the island makes its closest approach to the Ontario mainland. Pleasure craft line the docks of this waterfront town where cargo and passenger freighters did in the late 1800's and early 1900's.

Places to stay in Little Current:
 

M’CHIGEENG

        M'Chigeeng, as the second-largest and most central of Manitoulin's First Nation communities, is a fitting home to the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation. It also forms a part of the Great Spirit Circle Trail. M'Chigeeng (sometimes translated as "place of the fish harpoon") is home to a number of galleries, craft shops and restaurants. It was initially settled in the early nineteenth-century by Minnesotans who moved on from Wikwemikong after hearing of a long bay (known as West Bay) with good fishing in a nearby lake.

Places to stay in M’Chigeeng:

M'Chigeeng Tent and Trailer Park
2 and 3 bedroom cottages, camping for tents and trailers.
Telephone: 1-705-377-4987

KAGAWONG

            Take a step back in time and enjoy a leisurely walking tour of the picturesque hamlet of Kagawong. Tucked away from the outside world between the cliffs surrounding Mudge Bay, time has virtually stood still for decades. The village of Kagawong is located on Highway 540, only 45 kms west of Little Current. Situated north of Lake Kagawong on Manitoulin's northern shore, Kagawong is nestled between the cliffs surrounding Mudge Bay, in a world all its own. Follow the scenic road through Kagawong to Maple Point, for breathtaking views of the North Channel, or take the Lakeshore Road on Kagawong Lake where cottage and camping resorts provide retreats into beautiful and carefree surroundings.

Places to stay in Kagawong

MINDEMOYA

            Mindemoya is located on Highway 551, situated at the centre of the Island. This small community comes alive with activities in the summer months and offers a selection of restaurants, accommodations, attractions and gift shops.

Places to stay in Mindemoya

Timberlane Rustic Lodges
Phone: 705-377-4078
Toll Free: 800-891-4177
Email: info@timberlane.on.ca

Santa Maria Trailer Resort
Phone: 705-377-5870
Fax: 705-897-4153
Toll Free: 888-497-4917
Winter: 705-897-4917
E-mail: santam@vianet.on.ca

Idyll Glen Park Camp Ground
(705)377-4095

Pirate’s Cove Cottages and Resort
(705)377-4979

Cedar Grove Cottages and Resort
1(705)377-4962 or our toll-free reservation line 1 888-545-CGCR (2427)
Email:  cgcr@vianet.ca

Maple Spring Cottages
Phone/fax 1(705)377-4075 or
Email: maplespr@amtelecom.net
Web Site: maplespringcottages.homestead.com

RockGarden Terrace Resort - Historic Mindemoya Cave
Telephone (705)377-4652
Email: rterrace@amtelecom.net
Web Site: www.rockgardenresort.on.ca/

Manitoulin Inn
Phone(705)377-5500
Toll Free 1 877 270-0551
Fax (705)377-6103
Email: manitoulininn@onlink.net 
Website; www.manitoulin.com/inn

PROVIDENCE BAY

            For islanders, the name Providence Bay is synonymous with 'the beach'. Located on the south shore of Manitoulin and looking out upon a vast expanse of Lake Huron, the beach at Providence Bay is arguably the best in Northern Ontario. The history of the town name is evidence of its recognition as a focal point of the community. Early native inhabitants of the area called the bay Bebekodawangog, which translates as "where the beach curves around the water". In later years, after being shipwrecked offshore, survivors of the wreck reached the beach and called the bay 'Providence' in an act of pious gratitude. The amazing boardwalk spans the Mindemoya River and runs for a considerable length along the beach. It is wheelchair-accessible and is worth a stroll at any hour of the day.

Places to stay in Providence Bay

Providence Bay Tent & Trailer Park
Phone: 705-377-4650
Fax: 705-377-4650
Toll Free: 877-269-2018

SOUTH BAYMOUTH

            South Baymouth is the southern gateway community that connects Manitoulin to the Bruce Peninsula and Southern Ontario via the Chi-Cheemaun Ferry. Located on the southeastern shores of Manitoulin, the town's original inhabitants appropriately named the town, Sagradawawong, meaning "the outlet”. The South Baymouth has a lot to offer. Restaurants, gift shops, and accommodations. During the summer, a big attraction for many visitors is viewing the arrival and departure of the Chi-Cheemaun ferry as it sails the mighty waters of Lake Huron.

Places to stay in South Baymouth

Buck Horn Motel
Phone (705)859-3635
Fax (705)859-2971
Email: buckhorn@amtelecom.net

South Bay Resort
Summer - (705)859-3106.
Email:  sbayres@amtelecom.net
Web Site: www.amtelecom.net/~sbayres

John Budd Memorial Park
15 primitive campsites and public picnic area, 3/4 mile north of the ferry dock in South Baymouth, on Highway 6. Drinking water, pit toilets, fireplaces, picnic tables, firewood, and several hydro outlets.

The Wigwam Motel
Phone (705)859-3646, winter (705)859-3622