The Bruce Peninsula in Ontario, Canada, is the ultimate vacation destination for both nature lovers and history buffs. While you’re staying in one of our cottage rentals in Ontario, you’ve definitely got to carve out some time to visit Fathom Five National Marine Park, where you’ll get your doses of nature and history all in one place! This site has a whopping 22 shipwrecks for you to explore, each with its own fascinating story.
Fathom Five National Marine Park
Fathom Five National Marine Park is one of the most popular attractions on the Bruce Peninsula, and for good reason. It’s the ultimate spot to see stunning rock formations, lush forests, and beautiful plant species all around.
It was formed over 420 million years ago as the mineral dolomite rose through the waters of Lake Huron, resulting in the incredible natural sites you can see here.
In addition to checking out the shipwrecks and rock formations, guests here like to spend their days relaxing by the water, exploring the nearby islands such as the notable Flowerpot Island, visiting the lighthouses of the area, and learning about the Bruce Peninsula at the state-of-the-art visitors’ centre.
Daily admission to Fathom Five National Marine Park costs $7.90 per adult and $6.90 per senior. Youth ages 17 and under can enter for free! Any tour you embark on may have its own fees.
The Shipwrecks
The 22 Fathom Five National Marine Park shipwrecks are the biggest attractions to this area. Toward the end of the 19th century, this area experienced a boom in the logging industry. Logs had to be transported by boat, but Lake Huron was quite shallow and was difficult for large, heavy boats to navigate.
Arguably the most well-known shipwreck is the Sweepstakes, which sank in September 1885. It was first damaged when it hit a shoal near Cove Island, and it was then towed to Big Tub Harbour where it eventually sank. This shipwreck is quite remarkable in that the hull is still intact.
Tours
Many of the shipwrecks are popular with divers, but if you really want an in-depth experience that will teach you everything you want to know, book a tour! There are several tour companies near Fathom Five National Marine Park that take groups past many of the shipwrecks and explain the exact circumstances and history of the incident, as well as point out the wreckage that we can still see.
Plan Your Visit
Visiting the shipwrecks at Fathom Five National Marine Park is a great way to get outside with your family on your Ontario vacation. If you are looking for more exciting things to do, contact us today. We can plan your visit and book your cottage.
One of the most popular options for viewing the shipwrecks is a glass-bottom boat tour. You’ll be safe and dry aboard your boat while you listen to your experienced captain tell their tales, but you can look down through the bottom of the boat to check out the water underneath! Tours will also often take you past nearby islands and Bruce Peninsula lighthouses, giving you a close up view of some of the area’s best attractions!
Where to Stay
Fathom Five National Marine Park is located in the town of Tobermory, which has even more for you to explore and is centrally located near other exciting cities on the Bruce Peninsula. Luckily, we have convenient Tobermory cottage rentals to put you right in the center of the action! All of our cottages are fully equipped with amenities like fully stocked kitchens, entertainment options like TVs and outdoor grills, and so much more. Are you ready to start planning a relaxing getaway to the Bruce Peninsula? Contact us today to learn more about all of our available cottage rentals!
