Choose wisely. Connect locally.Add your business Manitoulin Island rises from northern Lake Huron as the largest freshwater island in the world. Its name means spirit island in Anishinaabemowin, and the Anishinaabe people have lived here for thousands of years.
Little Current
Cup and Saucer Trail
Providence Bay
Mississagi Lighthouse
+5 more places
Manitoulin offers a mix of long beaches, cliff trails, waterfalls, small harbour towns and strong Indigenous culture.
The island is sacred to the Anishinaabe, the People of the Three Fires, made up of the Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi. Archaeological finds at Sheguiandah show human presence more than nine thousand years ago.
Little Current sits at the narrow channel where the North Channel meets Georgian Bay, and the swing bridge connects the island to the mainland.
The swing bridge at Little Current links Manitoulin Island to Ontario highways. Photo: Xander Ashburn from Phoenix, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
The Cup and Saucer is the island's most famous hike and passes the highest point on the island. The trail follows the escarpment to cliff lookouts with views over farmland and the lake.
The Cup and Saucer Trail climbs the escarpment to cliff lookouts. Photo: jockrutherford, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Sheguiandah is the site of an important prehistoric excavation, and finds here date back thousands of years.
The village is home to the Assiginack Museum, where a provincial plaque marks the role of the Manitoulin treaties in Ontario's history. Allow an hour for a visit and a stroll.
Providence Bay has the second largest freshwater beach in Ontario, and it is free to enjoy. Its sand and dunes make it good for a long walk or a picnic.
Providence Bay has one of the largest freshwater beaches in Ontario. Photo: Centralmanitoulin, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Mindemoya is a small service town on Lake Mindemoya.
The trail to the lighthouse at the western tip of the island rewards you with open water and big skies. Walk it in the morning or at sunset, and carry water.
Bridal Veil Falls is on the Kagawong River near the village of Kagawong. Photo: Jonadab~enwiki, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
South Baymouth is the island terminal for the Chi-Cheemaun ferry. If you arrive by ferry, take a short walk by the harbour before you head on.
The Mississagi Lighthouse marks the western end of Manitoulin Island. Photo: WabbitWanderer from London, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Kagawong is a pretty harbour village, and its name means where mists rise from falling waters. The falls are a short walk from the village, and trails lead past small cascades toward Mudge Bay.
Misery Bay is known for its alvar, a flat limestone pavement ecosystem. Photo: Pverdonk, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Gore Bay is a harbour town with a marina, shops and restaurants, and a good base for exploring the north shore. Walk the waterfront, then drive to nearby viewpoints.
Gore Bay is a harbour town on the north shore of Manitoulin Island. Photo: P199, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Misery Bay is on an ancient flat rock sea bottom known as an alvar. The Great Lakes basin has the world's most important examples of this habitat, and Manitoulin has the most significant cluster.
The MS Chi-Cheemaun links Tobermory and South Baymouth in the warmer months. Photo: MBi, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Wikwemikong is an unceded territory on the east side of the island. Each summer it hosts a cultural festival and pow wow, with dance competitions, arts and crafts.
Wikwemikong hosts a well-known cultural festival and powwow each summer. Photo: Chicken4War, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
This Indigenous tourism route offers guided walks, storytelling and plant knowledge. It is a good way to learn from local hosts.
The Great Lakes shape the table here. Smoked whitefish comes from the region's commercial fishery and is easy to find in shops and takeout places.
Sweet-toothed travelers should try butter tarts, a classic Ontario pastry, from local bakeries. In Kagawong, Manitoulin Chocolate Works is a popular stop. Roadside stands and small restaurants in villages such as Tehkummah and Meldrum Bay are worth a detour.
Popular dishes to try in Manitoulin Island
The island is large, so pick a base to match your plans. Little Current is the most convenient for arrivals by road and for the Cup and Saucer, and it has a harbour and choice of places to eat.
Providence Bay is ideal for beach lovers and families, with sunsets over the water and a quiet atmosphere. Mindemoya sits in the middle of the island and is a handy hub for cottages and campgrounds, with easy drives to the other towns.
Where to stay in Manitoulin Island
The best weather arrives from June to early October, and the ferry runs from mid May to mid October. July and August are warm and lively, with festivals including the Haweater Weekend in the first weekend of August and the Wikwemikong Cultural Festival and Pow Wow.
Late September and early October bring cooler air, fewer visitors and fall color along the escarpment. Spring and winter are quiet, and some services close.
Two routes lead to the island. By road, drive to Little Current and cross the swing bridge, which is a little under two hours from Sudbury and almost six hours from Toronto.
Once on the island, a car is the practical way to get around, since distances are long. Many cyclists ride the island, but there are no dedicated trail systems, so share the roads with cars and wear bright clothing. The quieter back roads are good for biking.
Cross at Little Current, walk the waterfront and drive to the Cup and Saucer Trail in the afternoon.
Visit Sheguiandah and Manitowaning, then continue to Providence Bay for a beach walk and a lakeside dinner.
Head north to Kagawong for Bridal Veil Falls, then Gore Bay for lunch and the harbour.
See Misery Bay or Mississagi Lighthouse in the morning, then leave by road or ferry.
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