Right then. You think you’ve got Ontario sussed out, particularly from our vantage point in Barrie. You’ve got your lake, your ski hills, your… well, your roundabouts. Then, someone mentions Manitoulin Island, and you realize there’s a whole different kettle of fish, or perhaps a whole different freshwater island, waiting to be discovered. It’s not the Maldives, bless its cotton socks, but for a truly immersive experience of island life Ontario style, without the faff of international travel, it’s a revelation. A proper staycation plan in the making.
Manitoulin isn’t just any island; it proudly wears the crown of the largest freshwater island on this spinning blue marble of ours. That’s quite the claim to fame, isn’t it? Nestled in the vastness of Lake Huron, it’s a sprawling 2,765 square kilometres of sandy stretches, untamed wilderness, and the sort of tranquility that makes you wonder if your ears are still working. This isn’t just a change of scenery from Barrie; it’s an entirely different rhythm. This is the core of “Island life Ontario style”: expansive, wonderfully rugged, and surprisingly accessible for a grand family travel Ontario adventure. Forget the usual humdrum; this is where the wild things are, or at least where they go for their holidays.
If your idea of an island involves endless stretches of sand, Manitoulin doesn’t disappoint, though don’t expect cocktail umbrellas sprouting from the dunes. Providence Bay offers a magnificent two-kilometre sweep of powdery sand lapped by astonishingly crystal-clear waves. It’s the sort of place that makes you feel terribly clever for finding it. Then there’s the enchanting Bridal Veil Falls, a genuine cascade tumbling into a natural swimming hole. It’s like stumbling into a postcard, only you can actually jump in. This is the kind of natural charm that defines a Lake Huron weekend trip when you’re aiming for that authentic “Island life Ontario style.”
For those of us Barrie folk who believe a good walk can solve most of life’s minor irritations, the island is a veritable playground. The Cup and Saucer Trail – a name that conjures images of a gentle amble to a tea party, but delivers views that could knock your socks off. From its heights, the island unfolds beneath you, a tapestry of green and blue. Misery Bay Provincial Park, despite its rather gloomy moniker, offers more soul-stirring hikes along the Lake Huron coastline. It’s this combination of rugged trails and breathtaking vistas that truly encapsulates the “Island life Ontario style,” a world away from our familiar Barrie waterfront, yet so intrinsically Ontarian. It’s the perfect centrepiece for any Ontario staycation planning.
“But how,” I hear you cry from your Barrie armchairs, “does one reach this idyllic haven?” Fear not, intrepid explorer. You can point your motor towards Sudbury and cross via the rather wonderfully engineered Little Current Swing Bridge. Alternatively, for a dash of nautical adventure, the Chi-Cheemaun Ferry from Tobermory awaits. It’s all part of the charm, turning a simple journey into the preamble of your “Island life Ontario style” experience, a fantastic option for those planning a trip to Manitoulin Island from Barrie.
So, when the four walls of Barrie begin to feel a trifle too familiar, and the siren song of adventure (or perhaps just a decent paddle) calls, cast your gaze towards Manitoulin. It stands as a testament to the fact that genuine island escapism, that unique “Island life Ontario style,” doesn’t require a flight to some far-flung archipelago. It’s right here, a grand day out, or a magnificent Lake Huron weekend trip, just waiting to be explored. It’s no wonder CBC listeners voted it into Canada’s top 10 destinations; it’s a proper gem, that one.
References:
This Ontario island with crystal water beaches was named among Canada’s top 10 destinations
