Monday, July 14, 2014

30,000 Islands Day Cruise on the Island Queen,Georgian Bay National Park, Ontario

July 12, 2014



30,000 Islands, Georgian Bay National Park
Hole in the Wall
There is nothing more spectacular than Georgian Bay on a beautiful summer day and the perfect way to spend it is by cruising the World Biosphere Reserve of the 30,000 Islands. The boat tour I chose was the 3 hour afternoon cruise aboard the Island Queen, a 132 foot expedition cruise ship out of Parry Sound, Ontario. The ship navigates past granite shoals into narrow channels and provides an up-close look of the pristine beauty of Georgian Bay’s remote island wilderness.

As the ship leaves Parry Sound it makes its way into the Big Sound, a body of water reaching depths of 350 feet. Around 20 minutes into the cruise the ship passes the first point of interest, The Hole in the Wall. Hole in the Wall is a narrow channel which is just wide enough for the Island Queen to pass through with 80 foot granite cliffs on either side. As we passed through we were entertained by locals jumping from the cliffs into the clear blue waters. 

The next real point of interest is Killbear Provincial Park which is a very popular summer park that features beautiful sandy beaches and granite cliffs. The ship then enters the Waubuno Channel and continues pass the Outer Islands, Bears Head and makes a tight angle turn at Devil’s Elbow before entering the Seven-Mile Narrows. Seven Mile Narrows is a narrow channel that was blasted out years ago and is dotted with cedars, white pines, moss and other forms of vegetation.

The ship then passes Five Mile Narrows and provides an opportunity to spot osprey in their nest. Before returning to Parry Sound the ship finally passes through the Rose Point Swing Bridge. Upon approach the ship gives 3 horn blows to signal to the attendant that the Island Queen is approaching and needs to be let through.

I plan on returning but this time in the fall to view the magnificent changing of leaves.


30,000 Islands, Georgian Bay National Park
Killbear Provincial Park

30,000 Islands, Georgian Bay National Park
Killbear Provincial Park

30,000 Islands, Georgian Bay National Park

30,000 Islands, Georgian Bay National Park

30,000 Islands, Georgian Bay National Park

30,000 Islands, Georgian Bay National Park
Approaching Five Mile Narrow

30,000 Islands, Georgian Bay National Park
Rose Point Swing Bridge


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