Summer Ships: Take a Cruise in Ontario’s Cottage Country
Head out for a tour of the region’s spectacular waterways this summer and experience the most brilliant scenery you’ll see anywhere in Canada.
There’s something about being on the the deck of a touring boat, watching the world go by. Passengers can enjoy floating along at a gentle speed while Captain and crew take the vessel across open lakes and into smaller channels, past stunning shorelines and iconic landmarks. It’s an experience not to be missed, and a unique adventure to embark on with friends and family.
Read on for more information on cruise companies across the region.
30,000 Island Cruise Lines Parry Sound
Georgian Bay’s famous 30,000 Islands offer adventure at every turn! There are options for a two or three hour cruise on the Island Queen starting May 28, 2024. The cruise takes passengers through the inner islands of the Big Sound, an area many locals consider to be home to some of the most beautiful islands and channels on the Bay.
As well as the famous ship, more intimate trips are available aboard the 40ft Islander. There are four tours – Huckleberry Island for a guided hike and swim, the famous Henry’s Island Restaurant tour for a shore lunch, the Outer Islands Tour around Wasauksing First Nation and the Snug Harbour Lighthouse Tour.
CLICK HERE for tickets and schedules
Muskoka Cruises Bracebridge/Port Carling
Sailing out of Port Carling, the Lady Rosseau has 1.5 hour tours on its namesake lake, taking in the scenic views and fantastic cottage architecture. The boat departs on select dates until the middle of October. Every Wednesday from Port Carling there is the Wine Tasting & Charcuterie Wednesdays with flights of wine and Charcuterie boxes on request.
The Lady Gaga Muskoka River Cruise sails out of Bracebridge. Enjoy the stunning views and picturesque landscape of the 1.5 hour tour of the Muskoka River as it winds along towards Lake Muskoka. Runs until October 8, 2024.
CLICK HERE for tickets and schedule
Muskoka Steamships Gravenhurst
Starting on June 28 until the end of August, the1887-built RMS Segwun will be sailing Muskoka’s lakes alongside the Wennonah ll, which hits the water for a longer season from May 25 until October 14.
As well as the 1.5 and two-hour cruise schedule, there are a number of specialty sailings throughout the summer. These include unique live music cruises with Peter’s Players, Pirates take over on Saturdays in July and August, the Canada Day and August’s Civic Long Weekend firework cruises, and the Sip & Sample dinner cruises where you can learn about various wines or local craft brewery beers.
CLICK HERE for tickets and schedules
Parry Sound Cruise Lines
Morning, afternoon, evening and dinner cruises (Wednesday and Saturdays) around Georgian Bay are available on the MV Chippewa lll, who started her journey as a Maid of the Mist. Cruises on the 64-seat boat start at the end of May and run until the middle of October. New this year to the fleet is a jet boat that can take passengers to a private island for hikes, picnics and more. Private charters on request.
CLICK HERE for the summer schedule
The Port Shores – Port Loring Eco & Historical Tours
Join in an historical boat tour of the Pickerel River waterway that connects the village of Port Loring to the small former logging community of Lost Channel. With stunning sights along the way, historical facts of the area, and how the land developed from its logging and fishing industry, visitors are taken back 100 years where Port Loring began.
There are three different tours: the short tour is a two-hour trip around Duck Lake. The long tour is a four-hour sojourn along the Pickerel River and The Hike goes along the river before stopping for a 1.6km guided nature walk.
CLICK HERE for cruise inquiries or bookings
Sunset Cruises Port Carling
The Peerless II, built in 1946 to deliver gasoline around the Muskoka lakes, was purchased by Sunset Cruises in 2003 and transformed into the beauty she is today. She sets sail from Saturday, June 1 to Sept 1, 2024 and continues to travel around the three big Muskoka Lakes out of Port Carling. Captain Randy Potts and crew have a number of cruises on offer including the Millionaire’s Row tour and the always popular sunset evening cruise.
CLICK HERE for tickets and schedule
For more information and to plan your getaway in the great Canadian wilderness just north of Toronto, click here.
Feature Photo: Muskoka Steamships by Jake Good