Fall Colour Cruises in Cottage Country
An autumn cruise in Ontario’s cottage country is about as colourful as it gets.
Viewed from the deck of one of many incredible boats, the stunning yellows, oranges and reds on shore reflect perfectly in the sparkling blue waters – giving you double the viewing pleasure. Here is just a partial list of ways to enjoy the iconic fall forests of the great Canadian wilderness – from the water:
S.S. Bigwin
Another classic Muskoka boat, the S.S. Bigwin, was literally hauled up from the bottom of Lake of Bays by a dedicated group of local history buffs, and given a multi-million-dollar restoration and re-launched in 2012. The now-gleaming ship, which once ferried tourists to Bigwin Island Resort, sails out of Dorset for one-hour cruises on the Saturday and Sunday every week up to October 9, 2016. For schedules and rates for the SS Bigwin, click here.
RMS Segwun and the Muskoka Steamships
Board the famed RMS Segwun of the Muskoka Steamships fleet to cruise a gorgeous circuit of Lake Muskoka on North America’s oldest operating steamship. It’s like taking a voyage back into history, complete with a stoker shoveling coal onto the fire to generate the steam.
Cruises run this fall until October 10, 2016, embarking from the Muskoka Wharf in Gravenhurst twice per day, Sunday to Friday (lunch cruise and two-hour sightseeing cruise), and four times on Saturday (adding the one-hour sightseeing and sunset dinner cruises). The Thanksgiving Cruise is a whole fun-filled day on the lake, running from 10-4 on Thanksgiving Monday (October 10), and including lunch. For schedules and rates for the Muskoka Steamships, click here.
Sunset Cruises
For a more intimate cruise and for exploring vistas on Lakes Muskoka and Rosseau that only smaller ships can get to, check out Sunset Cruises of Muskoka. They offer regular cruises from the Port Carling locks on the Peerless II until October 16, 2016.
For the ultimate in style and elegance in a private chartered cruise for up to 12 guests, you can also book the M.V. Idyllwood, a reproduction/restoration of a 1920s-era private yacht with its mahogany, applewood and oak polished to gleaming. For schedules and rates with Sunset Cruises, click here.
The Island Queen
A cruise on Georgian Bay is always an unforgettable experience but when the rugged shores are adorned with the colours of fall, this trip can’t be beat. The renowned Island Queen out of Parry Sound travels a three-hour circuit around Parry Island, with the boat passing interesting sights such as the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame, the “Hole in the Wall” channel in which she squeezes between 80-foot granite cliffs, the ospreys’ nesting in Five Mile Narrows, the lovely Killbear Provincial Park, and many more. Afternoon cruises run daily through Thanksgiving Weekend. For schedules and rates for the The Island Queen, click here.
Lady Muskoka
Head down the Muskoka River from Bracebridge and out onto Lake Muskoka with the popular Lady Muskoka Cruises. Embarking from the Muskoka Riverside Inn, passengers will enjoy an educational and entertaining tour as Captain Al points out attractions such as children’s theme park, Santa’s Village, and Touchstone on Lake Muskoka. He’ll tell tales of pioneer log cabins from the 1880s, share local folklore and point out the summer palaces on Millionaire’s Row. For schedules and rates for the Lady Muskoka, click here.
This fall, head to Ontario’s cottage country and experience the spectacular colours from the water.
To plan your stay click here.
Guest Blogger: Karen Wehrstein
A resident of Muskoka, Karen Wehrstein is a freelance writer and published novelist whose work has appeared in the National Post, Montreal Gazette, as well as Muskoka Magazine, What’s Up Muskoka and other regional publications. She lives on thirty acres of beautiful forest near Lake of Bays.
