And a popular destination for many is Tobermory, a colourful little harbour village, located at the top of the peninsula.
No visit to Tobermory would be complete without a cruise aboard the Blue Heron Cruise Company’s glass bottom boat. Blue Heron offers many different cruises within Fathom Five National Marine Park.
During the day the glass bottom boats tour over the 19th century shipwrecks that can be viewed through the crystal clear waters.
One cruise option is to take the glass bottom Blue Heron V over to Flowerpot Island to hike the trails, tour the historic lighthouse station property and explore the ancient sea caves.
Zodiac shuttles are also available for direct transportation to the island.
For those not wanting to hike, the best scenic tour of the area is aboard Canada’s largest glass bottom boat, the Great Blue Heron.
It offers a two-hour cruise through the many islands in the park during the day and a sunset cruise down the Georgian Bay coastline every evening throughout the summer.
The Great Blue Heron departs daily from mid-May to October (weather permitting).
The cruise begins in Little Tub Harbour, then into Big Tub Harbour to view two shipwrecks in the shallow water at the end of the harbour.
The ship then heads past Doctor Island to cruise along the south and west sides of Russel Island and over the many shoals typical of the Lake Huron side of the Bruce Peninsula.
The ship then head north, cutting across the Devil Island channel and to a small island that is a nesting site for the double crested cormorants.
The Great Blue Heron then heads into the prettiest part of the trip, the southwest corner of Cove Island where there have been sightings of bald eagles on a regular basis.
The ship then continues along the south shore of Cove, through the Otter Island channel and east to Flowerpot island where it cruises right by the Flowerpot rock formations and then back to Tobermory. The cruise time is two hours.
The company also rents waterfront cottages in downtown Tobermory and operates a number of specialty stores in the resort community.
The Wireless Bay cottages offer a spectacular view of Tobermory’s most famous harbour at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula.
Some cottages offer rustic accommodation while others are new.
The cottages are right on the water and guests have use of a private dock and beach area. The sunsets are described as “incredible.’’
There are seven waterfront cottages ad each feature fully-equipped kitchens, cable colour TV and a three-piece bathroom with shower.
All linen is provided and housekeeping is included. Guests also have the use of barbecues and fire pits.
For more information call 1-516-596-2999 or visit blueheroncruises@hotmail.com.
Readers are encouraged to share their travel experiences or questions with Bob by calling 519-354-2000 ext 317, faxing 519-354-9489 or e-mailing bboughner@chathamdailynews.ca.
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