A summer weekend on Manitoulin Island

Weekend recap: Manitoulin Island

July 13-14, 2024

2 days, 1 night

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A quick getaway from Sudbury, featuring lighthouses, sunshine, rocky coastline and comfort eats.

Manitoulin Island is a short drive away from our home. Usually, I’ve just done day trips – to hike Misery Bay or the Cup and Saucer – or passed through to get to the Chi-Cheemaun ferry crossing point.

Aili's Map of Manitoulin

A short weekend away was such a treat! It felt like a mixture of an East Coast town in the United States—I’m dreaming of one day going to Cape Code or Nantucket, but for now, I have to settle for a more affordable destination—and some kind of Mediterranean coastal region?! Mainly the water and rocky coast.

Disclaimer: Manitoulin Island is seasonal, and many restaurants and shops close from October to May. Some places open up slowly when spring and early summer arrive.

OUTING DETAILS

THE LOGISTICS

• Where: Little Current, Gore Bay, Misery Bay | Manitoulin Island

• When: July 13th to 14th

• How: drove our own vehicle to Little Current and throughout the Island

THE STAY

• The Inn at Gore Bay

THE RESTAURANTS, CAFES

• 3 Cows and Cone

• Campbell's Drive-In

• Split Rail Brewing Company

• The Port

• Bittersweet Tea Co.

THE SHOPS, SIGHTS

• Linens & Lavender Studio

• Janet Head Light House

• Gore Bay Marina

• Bridal Veil Falls

• Misery Bay Provincial Park

THE ACTIVITIES

• Explore waterfalls

• Scenic drive

• Light hike and swim in Georgian Bay

• Sightsee lighthouse and marina

• Visit a brewery

• Eat comfort foods

WEEKEND RECAP

DAY 1 – SATURDAY

Left Sudbury and entered the Island through the swing bridge at Little Current. For those coming from southern Ontario, it's likely (and more fun!) you’ll take the Chi-Cheemaun ferry, which leaves from Tobermory and arrives at South Baymouth.

It was a hot and sunny day, we had our summer road trip blasting, and sunnies on!

Our first stop on the itinerary was Bridal Veil Falls at Kagawong. Kagawong is a tiny town, with a few convenience stores; ice cream, chocolate, and candy shops; and a mini lighthouse.

We arrived earlier in the day and saw only a few people at the falls. You can traverse down the stairs and walk right up to and even under the falls! There’s also a nice walking path that follows a stream and into the forest.

We stuck to the falls this time, as we’ve already walked the path.

One active sight-see down, and onto the next!

Began our drive through the lovely, soft rolling farmland hills of Manitoulin. We headed for Misery Bay, the farthest west we would go.

Tip: buy your Day Use daily vehicle permit (DVP) online or at the visitor centre.

Misery Bay Provincial Park is just a day-use park – no overnight company, just day hikes and swimming here!

We took the Coastal Alvar Trail along the bay and stopped for a lounge on the rocks. It was a hot and humid day, so we got up to some swimming, sunbathing (with SPF 50 of course), and snacking.

Post-hike we headed to Campbell’s Drive-In, just outside for a late lunch.

I know – seems like a bit of an odd choice. However, last summer we came and got the soft serve swirl ice cream, and it was THE BEST. It had that nostalgic gritty taste, with the chocolate not too chocolately, and the vanilla just sweet enough.

Did we plan a return trip to Manitoulin purely for the soft serve? Maybe.

We got the chicken tenders and fries meal (which came with a small roll and fries) and a glizzy. Chicken tendies were delicious but on the small side. The hot dog was everything you wanted it to be.

Late in the afternoon, we headed to Gore Bay to check into our hotel. We stayed at the Inn at Gore Bay, where we self-checked into our room. It is tucked away from the main town of Gore Bay and has a restaurant on site.

The view from our room was great! We loved our little patio, and our room was quite nice. Overall good value for the price.

After freshening up, we zipped over to Janet Head Lighthouse. You could walk if you were feeling ambitious! The views of Georgian Bay / Lake Huron were gorgeous.

We decided to walk into town for our evening drink and snack and it was such a good decision! While the Inn at Gore Bay is tucked away from the main marina, shops, and restaurants of Gore Bay, a boardwalk connects the two and makes for a lovely walk.

We spotted so many deer happily munching on grasses and haw berries on our walk! The air was so warm, there was a light breeze in the air – in other words, a perfect summer evening.

Spilt Rail Brewing Co. is a great spot for outdoor patio drinks – they have flights of their draft beers, sours, and ciders, a snack hut (Jamaican I think it was), and a chill snack menu. Dog-friendly too!

We got a flight each, the hummus and chips, and a grilled cheese. The flight was great, the hummus and chips were quite good, and the grilled cheese was decent but small.

After our evening snack (lol not sure I would call it a proper dinner) we walked off our meal by taking the boardwalk path to our hotel.

The sunset from our patio deck was perfect – the sun dipped below the treeline and cast the marina and water in a golden pink hue. I personally love being able to catch a sunrise or sunset right from where you are staying. Lazy? Or strategic?

DAY 2 - SUNDAY

The next morning, we were greeted by a soft pink sunrise which slowly shifted to rain clouds. After a hot and sunny day on Saturday, the morning rain on Sunday was very welcome.

After breakfast at the hotel, we headed out. The included breakfast was nothing special, just drip coffee, tea, toasted bagels with cream cheese, and some fruit. Quick and convenient!

Stops on the way back home included Linens & Lavender (a cute fairytale cottage, packed with lavender, candles, knitwear, soaps, etc.) Bittersweet Tea Co., and The Port in Little Current for fish and chips.

Those fish and chips were best we had all summer, and maybe the best we’ve had in Ontario!? The fish was caught fresh that morning, tossed in a homemade spice coating, served up with homemade tartar sauce that had home-grown parsley in it. Great portion size.

And just like that, our trip was over!

I love Manitoulin Island. It’s beautiful, has outdoor hikes and adventure opportunities, is calm and relatively quiet and very affordable.

Can’t wait to go back again and experience more places we haven’t tried.

Until next time!