Top Things to do in Tobermory
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What to do and see in Tobermory, Canada: The Best Places and Tips
Discover the best top things to do in Tobermory, Canada including Fathom Five National Marine Park, Flowerpot Island, The Grotto, Bruce Peninsula National Park, MS Chi-Cheemaun, Flowerpot Island Lighthouse, Big Tub Lighthouse, Cyprus Lake, Circle Arts, St. Edmunds Township Museum.
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1. Fathom Five National Marine Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 108 reviews
Reviewed By Faisal R - Toronto, Canada
If you need a reason to remember why Canada is just so plain great, this is the perfect reminder.
Pristine water, well maintained & clean trails (please bring a garbage bag for your own trash) & a wonderful break for the hustle and bustle of a city.
To walk from the dock where Blue Anchor boats drop you off to the Flowerpot Island lighthouse/museum, give yourself about 3 hours total so you don't have to rush & can stop numerous times to take all the hecka amazing pictures your heart desires.
Pro Tip 5000:
Walk from the dock all the way to the lighthouse FIRST to avoid the crowds at the flowerpots - stop at each Flowerpot on the way back to the dock and the crowds should be less and your pictures will be great!
2. Flowerpot Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 490 reviews
A trip out to Flowerpot Island is a great way to experience Fathom Five National Marine Park. Private tour Boats leaving from Tobermory take visitors over shipwrecks and offer opportunities to see some of the Islands in the park. Once you arrive at Flowerpot Island, visitors are treated to crystal clear waters, the Lighthouse Museum, trails, and of course the unique geology of the Islands which includes caves and the famous Flowerpots. While you're on the island, remember: - Carry out all your garbage - Pack water and snacks - Don't climb the Flowerpots and remain on the designated trails - Take only pictures leave only footprints
Reviewed By PafV - Toronto, Canada
We originally went to Tobermory to take this trip to the island in August but by the time we got to Tobermory, the sunken boat tour had left so we opted not to go. We headed out early Labour Day weekend to catch the 9:30 boat to the island and we made it. It was a nice ride to the island, and we spotted a bald eagle as we rounded the island. Ensure you buy your ticket online ahead of time so that you are guaranteed spot on the boat going to the island. We stayed for a couple hours and came back on the 12:30 express boat. We strolled up the coast of the island up to the flower pots and back. The cave was closed and the didn't venture all the way to the snack shop, nor did we do the loop hike. Wear good runner or hikers as the terrain is not flat.
3. The Grotto
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 937 reviews
The Grotto, in Bruce Peninsula National Park, is one of the top tourism attractions in Ontario. A shoreline sea cave with the beautiful blue waters, the Grotto is a unique natural wonder and memorable place to experience. It is also a very popular and busy location, especially during the peak season of July and August and on long weekends. At those times, the parking lot will fill up and you may not be able to access the Grotto.
Reviewed By KathleenR_28 - Port Dover, Canada
Seeing Georgian Bay from the rugged cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment is quite, quite stunning in the summer and fall. But the transformation of the Bay in winter is really spectacular.
Getting to the grotto is only a 3-kilometre hike from the parking area. In the summer, you can’t access the cave without swimming which I do not advise. In the winter, though, when temperatures are consistently double digits below zero, and after a heavy snowfall, it is quite a different story. It becomes a magical place, with every tree and boulder covered in snow and ice. You can scramble down to the Bay which has frozen over and just walk from cave to cave and just marvel at the beautiful ice formations. Don’t forget to peek inside crevices and holes because you may just see phenomenal blue ice crystal formations.
Best to use ice cleats/grips when you do make this trip in the winter. Very slippery in many places.
4. Bruce Peninsula National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 572 reviews
When visiting Bruce Peninsula National Park, start your adventure at the Parks Canada Visitor Centre in Tobermory. Here you'll find information to help plan your visit including tips on where to go when the Cyprus Lake parking lots are full, activities for children, and recommendations on hiking trails. Don't forget the Visitor Centre also includes a natural history museum and just around the corner, a viewing tower and some great hiking trails. While you're at the Visitor Centre take in an Interpretation program. Other visitor attractions in the park include Singing Sands Beach, Halfway Log Dump with incredible views of limestone cliffs and boulder Beaches, and of course the Grotto and Indian Head Cove near Cyprus Lake. Bruce Peninsula National Park also includes the popular Cyprus Lake Campground with 232 camp sites and 10 yurt accommodations. Please visit the park website for more information and links to the Parks Canada Reservations website. July and August are extrememly busy times in the park so plan your trip accordingly and visit the park website for information on other attractions in the area, fees, hours, park regulations and safety tips.
Reviewed By KathleenR_28 - Port Dover, Canada
One of Ontario’s best hiking trails goes through the BPNP. The rugged Bruce Trail on the Niagara Escarpment passes through Forests and cliffs. There is also a moderate 5-kilometre hike that loops around Cyprus Lake.
So many things to do here all throughout the year ... nature hikes, swimming, rock climbing and camping. Trails are open all year round.
My favourite season to visit has to be in winter when the park is completely transformed into a winter wonderland. Just amazing!
5. MS Chi-Cheemaun
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 477 reviews
The M.S Chi-Cheemaun provides an excellent alternative to hours of highway driving and spectacular views of Georgian Bay. Gourmet Sunset Dinner Cruises are also available.
Reviewed By cebcolpitts - Ottawa, Canada
We took this ferry from Tobermory to Manitoulin Island. Such a nice break in a whirlwind week. The ferry is huge with lots of comfortable places to sit and relax. Enjoy watching the water and people. There is a fully equipped cafeteria on board with reasonable prices. I would do this again.
6. Flowerpot Island Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 218 reviews
Reviewed By baroom - Mississauga, Canada
From the dock, we followed the 1.3km lighthouse trail (30min) to the lightkeeper’s house. We did not get to visit the light tower and observation deck because they are closed for renovations this summer. Unlike other lightkeeper’s houses we have seen, this one on Flowerpot Island is part-museum, part-convenience store, with an elementary school vibe to it. The volunteer groups that maintain the old house are obviously into art. The colourful “You Are Here” island maps outside are hand painted with great attention to detail. One side of the veranda has illustrated info panels on local bugs, snakes and flowers. The staircase and bedrooms upstairs are brightly painted and some walls are adorned with mural paintings of individuals or events relevant to Flowerpot Island.
The lightkeeper’s house/museum/shop is open from 10:30AM to 4:30PM where visitors are expected to do a self-guided tour. I have no idea what era the interior was supposed to represent. It was a mix of old and new and playful and totally different from what I expected a lightkeeper’s house to be--and we have seen quite a few. I have a feeling the intended audience here are schoolchildren. It was like being in a big dollhouse. I did enjoy spending time on the front deck looking at the water. The view is just stunning. The tiny shop is more of a convenience store and almost everything in it costs $2 (chips, pop, bottled water). Flowerpot Island souvenir magnets are $5 each. Cash only.
There is just one toilet at the lightkeeper’s house, aptly marked “Loo with a View” as it is elevated and has a big open window. It is a composting toilet which stinks (no tap water in Flowerpot Island) and you have to throw in a scoop wood shavings after every use. Expect a lineup if you plan to use it. They sometimes close it up for cleaning like what happened when we were here, one staffer went to the back of the queue and held up a ‘Closed’ sign, no idea for how long, but just be aware it could happen as the next nearest toilets are at Beachy Cove a half-hour walk away.
7. Big Tub Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 247 reviews
Reviewed By Hankeesd - Aurora, Canada
A five minute drive from Tobermory and worth it. Even though the lighthouse is closed there is a lot of history to read about. There are several benches around the rocky shoreline to take in the view of houses around Big Tub and you get a great view of Chi-Cheemaun ferry as it sails in and out of South Baymouth harbour. The land around the lighthouse is treacherous so be very careful. It is free!
8. Cyprus Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 106 reviews
Scenic lake located in the Bruce Peninsula National Park that offers both camping facilities and hiking trails.
Reviewed By Steph D - Brantford
Beautiful little lake to hike and camp near. Not sure about swimming..I would rather swim in Georgian Bay. We saw a lot of leaches and water snakes.
9. Circle Arts
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By Mark16 - Toronto
Circle Arts is the kind of store you'd wish there were more of. The works of local artists. Innovative and high-quality gifts. Paintings, pottery, prints and jewelry. Worth the visit.
10. St. Edmunds Township Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By sprung51 - springfield vt
We stopped here to get a bit of the history of the area, and we were not disappointed. They have the rudder, ships screw, and a nice photo of the City of Grand Rapids which is one of the sunken ships most of the boat tours take you over. Located in a small old school, they have many fine exhibits which help explain the area. Worth a visit. Nice staff. Donations needed.
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