Tag Boating Georgian Bay

A Taste of the Bay: A 7 Day Cruise Itinerary from Midland

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During my Toronto Boat Show’s “30,000 Islands” seminar, a common question asked by attendees, especially boaters new to the Bay was “where do you recommend we go?” Well, that’s an easy one for me to answer! Georgian Bay’s eastern coast is an absolute treasure trove of destinations filled with fun activities for boaters, regardless the size or type of vessel!

Wide open water for the good days, secluded tree lined anchorages for the bad; all with great swimming, paddling, fishing, and hiking. Add in stunning sunsets, star-filled night skies, sugary sand beaches, delicious local food, amazing history and you will never want to leave! But how/where to combine all of that into a one week cruise?

To make the ‘where to go/what to do’ part easier, here is my “Taste of the Bay” itinerary which is a “short haul” trip but ticks all of the boxes above. This is ideal for boaters new to the Bay who wish to venture out and try some interesting places plus learn a little about Georgian Bay along the way. And all locations are pet friendly so nobody gets left out on this trip!

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Pass Me a Cold One: Early Season Boating on the Bay

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When spring arrives to Georgian Bay my boat planning begins as we like to be launched, provisioned and most importantly out on the boat enjoying the Bay by the first weekend in May, sometimes even earlier if it’s been a warm spring.

Boating early in the season can be one of spectacular beauty and quiet solitude, plus cold air and water create great visibility due to such low rate of evaporation.

Departing Midland April 26, 2026

And sometimes you see things you’d never see later in the season!

Photo above is of an ice island (all ice – the rock is flat, sitting right at water level) situated east of Giants Tomb, April 17, 2026 (courtesy Trevor Sherwood). Below is my photo when I passed by April 26th but from the distance they at first looked like floating ice bergs!

The cold water is the scariest part of early spring boating but we’ve also encountered navigational buoys off station or missing, much more debris in the water from local homes and cottages along shore – once we saw a floating dock! – and sometimes the winter ice lifts a few deadheads off the bottom so captain and crew need to be on the watch! And then don’t forget the dreaded chore of climbing out of bed in the frigid morning to greet the icy toilet seat! 😱

All kidding aside, this is a critical time to ensure you are well prepared and have a good safety plan in the event of an emergency.

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Working the Bay: My Chat with Tugboat Captain Robert Cox about his 30+ Years on the Bay and most Challenging Tows

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Spring time on Georgian Bay and the “Boys are Back in Town”!

For over 30 years this family owned and operated tow and salvage company has plied the waters of Georgian Bay and Lake Huron, providing assistance to mariners in distress and performing various essential marine operations.

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Fall into Winter

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Goodbye fall, hello winter! Looks like our warm weather luck has run out – over the past 2 days temperatures have plummeted almost 20 degrees celsius on the Bay! But we can’t complain – our fall has been filled with sunny days, warm southerly winds, little precipitation – a perfect time for being outside and enjoying some late season recreational boating!

Although Thanksgiving weekend arrived with some fluffy white stuff brought in by streamers off the Bay, it only lasted 5 minutes and gave those of us on the water an amazing view followed by sunshine again!

The snow coming
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The Falls at Go Home

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The falls at Go Home are a great place to visit by dinghy or small boat, the journey being just as fun as the destination!

Go Home – a beautiful water access cottage community just north of Cognashene – recently celebrated its 125th anniversary. There are a few stories about how this area was named, the more popular being for the loggers who drove the timber down the Musquash river system into the Bay during the 1800’s – once they had delivered their log booms to the local wharf for transport by steamer, their job was complete and they could “go home”.

By the turn of the 20th century that same wharf began to welcome what would become the original “Go Home” cottage settlers, along with supply ships throughout the summer months bringing mail, visitors, and sundries. Today it is still the social hub of the community, hosting many get togethers for the local cottage association members to participate in.

The Waubic approaching Go Home Wharf (photo courtesy Madawaska Club, ca 1915)
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