With its proximity to the Great Lakes, you’ll find that water activities are among the many things to do in Ontario, Canada. Kayaking, fishing, and scuba diving are just a few of the water adventures you’ll enjoy in the area, particularly if you’re staying in one of our many Parry Sound cottage rentals and taking advantage of Parry Sound tours offered in this region!
Award-winning Ontario tours can be found at Island Queen Cruises Parry Sound Ontario. The custom Island Queen cruise ship takes you into breathtaking remote areas of Georgian Bay, a northeastern bay of Lake Huron, for two- and three-hour cruises.
Let’s find out what awaits you aboard the various types of cruises available from 30,000 Island Cruise Lines. You won’t want to miss out on the adventure!
About the Island Queen
The 132-ft., 550-passenger three-level Island Queen was custom designed to navigate Georgian Bay’s waters. From its twin CAT diesel engines to specially designed hull shape, the cruise liner offers the best in comfort, smoothness, and stability.
Taking you through the famous 30,000 island region, known as the “largest concentration of freshwater islands in the world,” the Island Queen features spacious observation decks and viewing windows to enjoy the spectacular views from inside or outside the vessel. Moving about on the ship is allowable throughout the cruise.
The Island Queen prides itself on the comfort offered to its guests, from plenty of room to a snack bar, to washrooms that are wheelchair accessible. The ship is even heated for those taking a tour during the cooler time of year.
The ship is inspected annually to meet all safety regulations and standards, so you can sail in peace knowing you and your family are in good hands.
The Original Cruise
As far back as the early 1960s, nonstop two-hour cruises from Parry Sound through Georgian Bay were offered aboard wooden taxi boats from 30,000 Island Cruise Lines. Believe it or not, the same route is taken today on the Island Queen!
The route goes around Huckleberry Island (no stops—you’ll have the opportunity to visit the island if you choose an adventure tour), and you’ll see stunning, picturesque views of the Canadian Coast Guard base on Parry Sound; summer homes, and cottages along the Georgian Bay shoreline; the Village of Nobel and Nobel Beach; Canadian wildlife such as geese and loons on Loon Bay; and, of course, the unique and world’s largest freshwater archipelago, 30,000 Islands.
Perhaps the grandest moment of the tour is when the Island Queen navigates the just-enough-room-to-pass-through Hole in the Wall. You’ll witness 80-foot granite cliffs with Huckleberry Island on one side and Wall Island on the other.
The Flagship Cruise
The three-hour, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. afternoon Flagship Cruise aboard the Island Queen takes you even deeper into the remote islands of the Bay.
On this tour, you’ll also take the incredible trip through the Hole in the Wall and get close to Killbear Provincial Park, Massasauga Provincial Park, and Rose Point Swing Bridge. The route takes you through narrow channels of the outer islands as well.
Killbear Provincial Park near Nobel offers terrific views of pines, rocky ridges, hiking trails, and sandy beaches, while Massasauga Provincial Park is made up of islands of inland forests and lakes. Rose Point Swing Bridge, a swinging bridge built in the late 1800s, connects Parry Sound with Depot Harbour and is officially known as the Wasauksing Swing Bridge.
Must-Do Adventure Tours
Choose from a two-, two-and-a-half-, or three- to five-hour adventure tour with 30,000 Island Cruise Lines that provide you with opportunities beyond the sightseeing boat tours Ontario already discussed.
- Outer Islands Tour: two nonstop hours of sailing through narrow and rugged granite cliff-lined channels of the eastern shore of Georgian Bay, including the Long Sault channel, as you take in Killbear Provincial Park and the Rose Point Swing Bridge, past the Outer Islands, and through the infamous Hole in the Wall.
- Huckleberry Island Tour: this approximately 2.5-hour tour starts aboard the company’s new 40-ft. Islander, a zodiac-style boat introduced in 2018. The Islander takes you to and allows you to disembark on Huckleberry Island. You’ll go on a shoreline eco-tour led by a Georgian Bay naturalist. During your one-hour stay on the island, you can also relax, swim on a secluded beach, and hike some rugged terrain. And, of course, take a lot of pictures!
- World Famous Henry’s Fish Restaurant Lunch Tour: an hour’s ride aboard the Islander takes you into open waters with incomparable views of the San Souci area until you reach the tour’s destination: Henry’s Fish Restaurant, located on Frying Pan Island. Enjoy Henry’s famous fish n’ chips lunch at outside tables overlooking the Bay, then take some time to marvel at the beauty of the area—a lot of picturesque views to capture—before taking the hour ride back to Parry Sound. (Note: the price of lunch is not included in the ticket price for this tour).
These Ontario tours, both the nonstop and the adventure tours, do not extend past early October, with the Original Cruise, Huckleberry Island adventure tour, and Henry’s Lunch Tour offered only until early September and the Flagship Cruise daily through October 10th.
Plan Your Stay
If you’re ready to begin planning your unforgettable Ontario vacation, you’re in the right place! When you book with Rent Cottage, planning your Ontario escape is easy! Simply view our Ontario cottage rentals, book your favorite, and get ready for your favorite vacation yet.
Where to Stay
When looking for clean, comfortable, and convenient cottage rentals in Ontario, Rent Cottage is here to help! Our stunning cottages offer fully-equipped kitchens, HD TVs, furnished decks, and more! With cottage rentals in Lion’s Head, Sauble Beach, Wiarton, and beyond, you’re sure to find the perfect cottage, no matter where you’re visiting.
Other amenities you might enjoy with a Rent Cottage rental, depending on your chosen unit, are fire pits, a washer/dryer, wood-burning fireplaces, and ceiling fans in all bedrooms. Most rentals are offered only on a weekly basis from mid-June to mid-September.
With so many things to do in Ontario and fantastic cottage rentals Ontario to choose from, there’s a long list of reasons to make the Parry Sound area your next vacation destination. Get in touch with the Rent Cottage team today to plan the Canadian getaway of a lifetime.
