Are you a Sailor? Have I got the place for you!! While sailing the Caribbean or Mediterranean Seas may be exotic, there is nothing like the pristine beauty of the North Channel to set sail into.

The North Channel is located east of Lake Huron and north of Georgian Bay, between Manitoulin Island and mainland Ontario. Hundreds of islands, uninhabited and relatively untouched by man for decades, scatter the channel and make for peaceful overnight anchorages. The main season runs from the end of June to end of August. North Channel popularity is on the rise, so pre- and post-season sailing can be most rewarding for those looking to escape any crowds.

We keep our boat in Little Current, Manitoulin Island. The drive from Toronto to Little Current is about five and a half hours via Hwy 69 and takes you over the only land access bridge to Manitoulin Island. The bridge itself is a piece of history: a one-lane century old swing bridge. Another route to Little Current is aboard the Chi-CheeMaun Ferry from Tobermory. This route is a little longer in time, shorter in distance, but is an adventure by itself on the huge drive-on ferry that crosses Lake Huron.

There are plenty of gorgeous spots to sail to. Our favourites: to the west, the Benjamin Islands. These pink granite islands covered with wind-swept pines are breathtaking. Blueberry picking in July / August is bountiful!; To the east, sail the sheltered fresh water fjord of Bay Fine. Formed from the ancient pure white rock of La Cloche Mountain range, the shoreline towers 300 feet above you on either side. At the end of the Bay, nestled in Killarney Provincial Park, is ‘The Pool’. This was a popular spot for Al Capone in the 1920s! Today, you can anchor and enjoy the tranquility of nature or hike to crystal-clear mountain lakes for awesome cliff-diving for the adventurous.

If you don’t have a sail boat but are a qualified sailor, chartering from Little Current through a reputable company with clean, well maintained boats is a good option. Google search Discovery Yacht Charters. For the ‘Salty Dawg’ sailors used to preserving every drop of fresh water on board, trust me when I say there is more than enough in Ontario’s North Channel.

Ontario, Canada

Brenda Ross