The Western Islands are a chain of low lying rock islands and shoals situated almost 9 nautical miles west of O’Donnell Point.
Barren and exposed with little vegetation they offer no protection from wind or currents – when the Bay starts to churn this is not the place you want to be! But when on her best behaviour the Bay can transform even this remote and rugged rock pile into a place of serene and magical beauty, particularly in the evenings!
Continue reading “The Wild Western Islands”
Off the Dock!
It’s a beautiful June day on southern Georgian Bay as we push off the dock and set course for our 2025 cruise. This is our first season on the water as a fully retired crew, and we’ve planned a six‑week route winding through Georgian Bay’s stunning 30,000 Islands and then on to the North Channel for wilderness anchorages and lively port calls.
On board our 40’ Sea Ray sedan bridge “Georgian Pearl” is my husband (Captain Tony), myself (Admiral Elizabeth), our dinghy (George), and plenty of supplies. This is an especially exciting summer for us: our first post‑retirement cruise and at six weeks, our longest one yet.
In 2024 “Water Ways TV” debuted a new show, “Water Ways Ontario”, on the Global TV network and I was invited to be on the Georgian Bay episode!
It has recently been made available online and focuses on the 30,000 Islands, Stanley Boats in Parry Sound, and the Penetanguishene area. Click link below to see the full episode:
https://youtu.be/BYEye763rr8?si=jWu0of8UHvjRtFv9
Georgian Bay is all about breathtaking scenery, magical hideaways, and incredible sunsets! Check out my short video – starting with drone footage from the 30,000 Islands – of our 2024 explorations on the Bay and see how many places you recognize, or even better – perhaps you will spot your boat!
Part of the beauty of the Bay is finding those hidden treasures and quiet anchorages – spots you will never want to share the location of! – and I’ve included a few of mine in this video. Be sure to have your sound on for my introduction as I give you the location of the first stop.
And if you’re starting to think about your 2025 cruising itinerary, be sure to check back in a few weeks for my upcoming story on our top 5 anchorages of 2024 and the must see dinghy day trips from each location!
By paddle, sail, or motor – there are endless places to explore on the Bay, where is 2025 going to take you?
Following May’s hectic pace of getting boats launched, cleaned and the winter gremlins cleared out, June is the perfect month to research, plan, and then begin your cruising itinerary for the summer.
For Georgian Bay I utilize my charts, Great Lakes Cruising Club binders, and Ports guide when planning our trips. Occasionally I will check Google Earth and/or Google images for additional info when heading into an unfamiliar area or just searching for places to explore by dinghy or on foot, like rivers and forests.
Georgian Bay Beauties: Find Your Wilderness! 