Fun Things to do in Tobermory with kids!

Let me start off by first telling you that a day in Tobermory will not cover even half the things you may want to see here! From the Grotto in the Bruce peninsula national park to singing sands to the Big Tub harbour to the shipwrecks and the flowerpot island, this beautiful town has so much to offer. There are so many fun things to do in Tobermory with kids and although it is hard to prepare a short list, here is my list of things to do in Tobermory with kids.

Where is Tobermory?

Tobermory is 3.5 hr drive from downtown Toronto. The drive time will change drastically depending on where you are driving from. Once in Tobermory, your options are really countless. This town has the cutest candy shops and boutique stores tucked through their Main Street. With food trucks and local restaurants, there is a place for everyone to eat at.

Best time to visit Tobermory

Tobermory is a summer town through and through. June-September is a good time to visit Tobermory although, July and August are the busiest months. During Fall, the town starts to wrap up and in the winter months, the town is quite dead. Most restaurants are closed and all the activities are shut down for the colder months. If you are planning to visit, summer is the best time to visit.

Some famous places to eat at

Tobermory is known for their whitefish so if you’re in the area, make sure to try the fish and chips! You won’t regret it. One of the corner patio restaurants called Shipwreck Lee’s offers all you can eat fish and chips for 18.95$/person!

Tacomory is another great place to eat at. This taco truck offers some delicious tacos and drinks.

There is also Beavertail right on the docking area! A favourite for our family, we make it a point to visit every time we are in Tobermory. You will find a candy and fudge store on top of the slope – another favourite for our kids.

Places to stop at on way to Tobermory

Before I dive into things to do in Tobermory with kids, let me start off with sharing five spots you can stop at on your way up to Tobermory! They say the journey is half the fun and the journey to Tobermory is like no other. there are some stunning stops you can make along the way on the Bruce Peninsula. you can spend days at each of these stops or even a few hours. Although there are a lot more places to stop at, pick the ones that work for you and your family and try to incorporate them into your drive. If you are looking for even more options on the way, read our posts to give you an idea of all there is to do in the Bruce Peninsula.

1. Lion’s Head

This place is so spectacular! If you have time, make sure you hike the trail to the lion’s head lookout. The hike is 7km back and forth and the trail is rugged so not necessarily friendly for very little kids! BUT the views, it reminds you of the Amalfi coast in Italy. There is also the devils monument in lion’s head that is worth checking out. If you are planning to hike to the Lion’s Head lookout, click here to read our tips!

2. Bruce Peninsula National Park

This park houses the very famous Grotto and the Indian Head Cove. During COVID, you need to pre-book your parking spot or you won’t be allowed to go in! You can do this online by Clicking Here or by calling them directly. One of THE best ways to explore this park is through camping in right inside the park.

3. Singing Sands

This spot is right opposite the Bruce peninsula national park and it is so so kid friendly. The water is warm and it is shallow and you can walk in it forever! Our girls loved spending time here. The beach is sandy unlike many Ontario beaches. There is also a concession stand at the singing sands which is definitely helpful when you have kids.

4. Sauble Falls and Sauble Beach

Sauble beach and Sauble Falls are close to each other and you can easily drive from one place to the other. It is on way to Tobermory and worth a stop. The beach can get quite busy in the summer months and finding parking can be a challenge but if you do find parking, a dip in the water is worth is. The beach is sandy and the water is warm. Sauble Falls are easy to climb and a place where you can spend an hour or two on way to Tobermory.

5. Saugeen Shores

Saugeen Shores is one of the most beautiful beach towns on Lake Huron. You can read my top 10 things to do in Saugeen Shores. Saugeen Shores lies along the shores of Lake Huron and offers some of the most spectacular sunsets in all of Ontario. Summer time is the best time to visit the shores because of the fun vibe of this town.

A bit about Tobermory

Tobermory is home to the Big Tub harbour that houses a lighthouse and some spectacular views. Tobermory gives you the feel of being on a Caribbean island. With the options of water activities and the vibe of the town in general, you will forget that you are only a few hours north of Toronto. Tobermory is home find yummy ice cream and fudge stores as well as cruises to see the famous shipwrecks and the iconic flowerpot island.

Cruises to Flowerpot Island

Talking about cruises, there are a few options you have. We tend to book Blue Heron Cruises because they have the largest glass bottom in Tobermory and it makes for some really amazing sights of the shipwrecks. Our girls can watch the beautiful wrecks while being safe as the glass bottom is enclosed and indoors. During summer they are booked well in advance and I would definitely recommend booking as soon as you decide to visit – the earlier the better. Click here if you are ready to book your cruise. Pre-booking will guarantee you a spot at the time that is preferable to you and at your convenience. Tobermory has started getting busier each summer and cruise companies are the ones that fill up first. If you plan to walk-in to purchase tickets, please keep in mind that they don’t always have space left on the day off if you chose to book in person or you may not get the time slot you want to go.

There are three types of cruise options you can choose from:

1. A 1.5-hour scenic tour through the shipwrecks and Flowerpot Island – this is a great option if you’re on a time crunch but still want to see the shipwrecks and the island.
2. This option takes you through the shipwrecks and gives you an opportunity to get off at the flowerpot island. You are given 4 hours on the island and this is enough time to spend a few hours discovering all that the island has to offer as well as hike to the furthest point of the island where the lighthouse is. A return time on your ticket will let you know when the cruise will pick you up to take you back to Tobermory. If you are planning a trip to flowerpot island, click here to read my post on the best location to stop at once on the island and some more information that will help you plan your day at the Flowerpot Island.
3. The third cruise option is a sunset cruise – you DO NOT want to miss the stunning sunsets in this area! Tobermory is known for its gorgeous sunsets and once on this cruise, you will know why! On this sunset cruise, you will get a chance to see the Grotto and Indian Head Cove from the water which is a complete different experience than visiting it from land.

If you book with Blue Heron you can get free parking in one of their 3 lots and shuttle buses are available to take you to their loading docks. Parking is very hard to find closer to the docking area so keep in mind that you will need extra time prior to the cruise to park in their off-site lots and get on the shuttle.

Waterspots in Tobermory

Tobermory is surrounded by water. The lakes are crystal clear and turquoise blue. With water this beautiful, it is obvious that there are a lot of water activities offered in Tobermory. You can rent kayaks and canoes from the waterfront area. You can canoe and kayak over the shipwrecks and also in the Big Tub Harbour or even rent jet skis and SUPs.

If you have time and would like to go on a ride on the lake, you can book the Chi-Cheemaun ferry to Manitoulin island as well. You can either take your car on the ferry and spend a day or a weekend at Manitoulin Island or you can walk on the ferry. Either way, you will have to reserve a spot on the ferry well in advance. If this is something that interests you, you can book the ferry here.

Final thoughts

All in all, there are so many things to do in Tobermory with kids. There is so much to do and see in this town and you can easily spend days exploring this place. If you are looking for more free and paid activities in Tobermory, make sure you check out my blog post here. The Bruce Peninsula often reminds me of when we visit the Caribbean – the turquoise blue waters, the stunning views, the tropical feel – its all there except the water can be a bit cold.

If you are going for a day, make sure you pack extra clothes for the entire family and also LOTS of snacks and water for the kids! There is a food land there on the Main Street so you can always stop there for some quick pickups. DO NOT FORGET TO PACK YOUR SWIMSUITS! Even if you do not plan to go in the water, keep them incase you decide to go! I am telling you, you will not be able to resist the water.

I hope this blog post gave you an idea of things to do in Tobermory with kids! If you have any specific questions, please ask below in the comments.