One of the best mini excursions I have had up until this day, was my trip to Tobermory.
Tobermory is located at the very tip of the Bruce Peninsula in Ontario, between Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. Surrounding the area are many islands such as: Echo Island, North and South Otter Island, Russell Island, Peters Island, Devil Island, and Cove Island. Some of these islands are inhabited but majority are covered in trees and nature. Just north of the Peninsula is Flower Pot Island!
For some of you who don't know what Flower Pots are, they are free standing rock formations with a narrow base and larger top, similar to a flower pot shape. These formations were created from the rising tides crashing against the bases which were once large tall limestone rocks. As time passed by, the water began to erode the rock and the bases narrowed. The tides on the surrounding islands can completely cover the area of the island and many trees were damaged due to the wrath of the water.
As you can see in the photo above, there are two Flower Pots left. There used to be three but one fell down in 1903. There is a Flower Pot legend which the local folk believe in and if you ask around, they will gladly tell you the story.
Anyhoo, back to my trip to Tobermory..
The area is very picturesque with the beautiful clear blue water which you can definitely swim in. My friends and I took a "cruise" that took us around the Peninsula coast and to Flower Pot Island. It cost around $40 per person and it included a tour of the shipwrecks, a relaxing ride in a bottom glass boat to the island, about 2 hours to explore the island and a speedboat ride back to the main land.
The shipwrecks are located in a small harbor called "Big Tub", which is surrounded by privately owned cottages and boat docks. The boat, which is called The Fathom Five, takes you directly to both shipwrecks, called The Sweepstakes and The City of Grand Rapids.
The Sweepstakes is the most popular shipwreck in the Tobermory area (there are more than 26!) and is one of the largest. It sank in 1885 after being damaged off of Cove Island, it was towed to Big Tub Harbor. It sank before repairs could be performed and has remained there ever since. The hull and everything is still intact and divers and swimmers are allowed to explore the area during certain times of the day when tour boats don't operate.
It was built in 1867 in Burlington, Ontario
The City of Grand Rapids sank in 1907 a 100 feet away from the Sweepstakes, in Big Tub Harbor. It was an elegant passenger steamer that caught on fire and sank in the shallow waters of the area. It has remained there ever since and it's propeller and rudder was taken and showcased in the local museum. This area is open to divers and swimmers as well.
It was built in 1879 in Grand Haven, Michigan
After viewing the shipwrecks, we set out to Flower Pot Island where we hiked through the trees to a see a cave in the side of the mountain and to view the Flower Pots. This island was so beautiful in the way the water crashes onto the shore and along the coast. If any of you have seen Disney's Little Mermaid, it felt just like when she laid on a rock and waves crashed up on her. We actually tried to take a picture doing so, but the water was so cold!
The time that we went, it wasn't scorching hot outside that we could tolerate the freezing water temperatures. We sucked it up and swam in the water and after a while, we got used to it. Surprisingly enough, many of the tourists were swimming also. Might as well after paying close to $50 to get there!
It was really cool how you can jump off those rocks and cannonball right into the water!
On Flower Pot Island you can also camp. Keep in mind it is real camping in the sense that there is no running water and no washroom facilities. Although I hear it is fairly inexpensive to spend a night on the island. This will be something I will look into the next time I visit.
On the way back to the main land, they put you on a speedboat that cuts the 45 minute cruise into a 10 minute ride back. I've only been on a speedboat one other time which was in the Dominican and this was a much better ride. For one it wasn't raining and the wind wasn't whipping the rain drops in my face (it honestly felt like bullets hitting your body in all different directions). This boat ride was quick and relaxing. A few people wanted to stand up and it was entertaining to see them flail around when they realized it was unsafe to do so.
Overall it was a great experience. I have always seen pictures of friends visiting the area and I always wanted to explore the area. Thank goodness I have a friend who is into adventures as much as I am and we have our boyfriends to drag along for extra "protection against the elements" if needed. Ha!
For more information about Tobermory, click here for the official website
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