Tobermory Ontario is Canada’s hidden gem along Lake Huron on the Georgian Bay. The crystal clear water of this town will transport you to the Caribbean because of all the water activities it has to offer. It will simultaneously remind you of Italy because of the splendid views it boosts. If you are planning to visit Ontario, plan to visit Tobermory! You can plan a day trip to Tobermory or camping at Tobermory, there are so many options to enjoy this little lakeside town.
Considered the 8th Wonder of Canada, Tobermory, Ontario is located on the northern tip of the famous Bruce Peninsula. It is home to the Bruce Peninsula National Park and the Fathom Five National Marine Park. Surrounded by the Bruce Trail, Tobermory is paradise for those that love nature and adventure.
You can catch a sunset cruise in Tobermory, you can visit the Shipwrecks on a glass bottom boat, you can scuba dive or snorkel in the Great Lakes, you can jet through the crystal blue water of the lake, you can kayak on top of the shipwrecks, there is so much to do in this action-packed town. If you are looking to sit back and relax, you can take one of the sightseeing cruises around the lake as well or jump off the cruise at Flowerpot Island.
Table of Contents
How to plan to visit Tobermory?
A visit to Tobermory means an exciting road trip with a ton of stops along the way – each one better than the next. Click here to explore 11 exciting stops you can make along the way to or from Tobermory.
A stop in Port Elgin, 10 things you can do in Saugeen Shores, exploring Greig’s Cave, tips on how to get to the Lion’s Head lookout, fun things to do around Tobermory with kids or visiting the Flowerpot Island, there is a ton of things to do on your way to Tobermory. You can plan to spend a few days in Saugeen Shores to explore some of these sights near-by.
If you do not wish to drive, you have the option of taking a day tour to Tobermory from Toronto.
The best time to visit Tobermory
Tobermory is a summer destination through and through. During the winter months, most of the town shuts down – restaurants are closed for the season, accommodations are closed, water activities are stalled, this town has nothing more to offer.
But, during the summer months, you have a lot more to do – from sailing the Chi-cheemaun across the lake to Manitoulin Island, you can easily spend a week or two here. If you plan to enjoy the beaches in Tobermory or go kayaking in Tobermory, summer may be the best time to visit.
My absolutely favourite time to visit Tobermory is the Fall. The Fall foliage is splendid, the Chi-Cheemaun is still running and so are other cruise companies. You get a chance to really explore this town at your own pace without feeling rushed as most of the summer crowds have left. You can easily find a table at restaurants and accommodations are much cheaper and easier to find.
Accommodations in Tobermory
You may be wondering where to stay in Tobermory? And rightly so! When we visited for the first time, I could not find many options of places to stay in Tobermory. We live 2 hours away from this town and decided to do a day trip to Tobermory instead. Once there, I looked into options and here’s what I found:
- There are hotels in Tobermory
- There is camping at Tobermory and here are the three most popular campsites near Tobermory
- There are motels in Tobermory
- There are cottages in Tobermory
- There is glamping in Tobermory at the Bruce Peninsula National Park
- There are AirBnb’s in Tobermory
In short, there is a TON of options for all kinds of travelers in Tobermory. You just have to find availability in these places because they fill up months in advance specially during the summer months.
The most memorable things to do in Tobermory
Bruce Peninsula National Park
No visit to Tobermory is complete without a visit to the stunning Bruce Peninsula National Park. You may have heard of the grotto in Tobermory and the park is home to the Grotto, Indian Head Cove, Cyprus Lake as well as Halfway Log Dump. You 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. You can also visit singing sands beach right opposite the national park. The water is warm and shallow and perfect for little kids or adults to enjoy.
Shipwrecks and Flowerpot island – a tourist favourite!
If you are looking for cruises in Tobermory, the Blue Heron Cruises has the largest glass bottom in Tobermory and it makes for some really amazing sights of the shipwrecks. I would definitely recommend booking in advance to get the time slot you wish to take. Click here to book your cruise. 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 you want to go. There are three options they offer:
- 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.
- This option takes your through the shipwrecks and lets you get off at the flowerpot island to spend a few hours discovering all that the island has to offer. A return time on your ticket will let you know when the cruise will pick you up to take you back to Tobermory. (More on the flowerpot island to come in the next blog).
- They also have a sunset cruise – trust me you DO NOT want to miss the stunning sunsets in this area! You can view the Grotto and Indian Head Cove from the water in this sunset cruise they offer.
Hiking in Tobermory
There are so many trails to hike in and around Tobermory. The Bruce Trails starts from the tip of Tobermory and winds its way all the way to the Niagara River. The Bruce Trail is 900 kms of the main trail and 450 kms of side trails.
You can also hike to the Grotto, Indian Head Cove and Halfway Log dump in the Bruce Peninsula National Park. Flowerpot Island also has trails for those that love to hike. If want to venture a bit further, the Lion’s Head trail is a favourite for all those that make it to the top and take in the splendid Italian views. Tobermory is home to some of the prettiest trails and you will never run out of hiking trails in the area.
Tobermory Visitor Centre
Although there are multiple places to visit in Tobermory, start off at the Tobermory Visitor Centre. You will get some great information and brochures to plan your itinerary in Tobermory. There is also a lookout tower close by for those wishing to enjoy the beautiful views.
Diving in Tobermory
The Big Tub Harbour and the lighthouse at the harbour are famous spots to visit. The Big Tub Harbour houses the shipwrecks and is the hub for scuba diving in Tobermory. You can snorkel around the shipwrecks or simply enjoy the shipwrecks sitting on a kayak or a water scooter. As you may start to understand, there are so many water activities in Tobermory and the lively vibe of the town along with the vibrant patios will make you believe that you are infact, sitting in the Caribbean.
Famous places to eat in Tobermory
With options for proper sit-down restaurants to patios to quick stops to grocery stores to sweet stores to Beavertails, there are fantastic culinary options for every foodie. Whitefish is very popular in the area so make sure you try some fish and ships and visit Shipwrecks Lee for all you can eat fish and chips.
What you need to pack for your trip to Tobermory
Depending in the season you choose to travel, I recommend to always pack a light sweater or a Fall jacket even for the summer months. If you choose to cruise on the lake, it can get a bit chilly and windy so pack layers. Oh, and don’t forget your swim suits! You never know when a chance to take a dip arises and when it does, you do not want to miss out on it. Even if you are not a swimmer or a beach bum, the crystal blue waters of Tobermory are sure to tempt you!
Final thoughts
I hope you enjoyed reading my blog on tips to visit Tobermory. Living so close to this town has made it a very popular spot for our family. Just like visiting Niagara Falls from Toronto, Tobermory is our place to visit for a day or even a weekend or maybe even longer.
You can’t run out of activities to do in Tobermory because they are plentiful. Plan your time in this town according to the days you have and if you do have more days, definitely plan to stay somewhere on route to Tobermory.
If you have any questions on visiting the Bruce Peninsula, reach out to us and we would love to help you!
