Manitoulin Island - The Largest Fresh Water Island In The World With Heavenly Experience

History and Geography

View From Cup and Saucer Trail Top

Manitoulin Island is a Canadian lake island in Lake Huron, in the province of Ontario. It is the largest freshwater lake island in the world. The current name of the island is the English version, via French, of the historic Odawa name "Manidoowaaling", which means "cave of the spirit." It was named for an underwater cave where a powerful spirit was said to live. Manitoulin Island contains a number of lakes of its own. In order of size, its three most prominent lakes are Lake Manitou, Lake Kagawong and Lake Mindemoya. Each of these three lakes in turn have islands within them, the largest of these being Lake Mindemoya's 82-acre Treasure Island, located in the centre of Manitoulin.

The island has an area of 2,766 km² (1,068 sq mi), making it the 172nd largest island in the world and Canada's 31st largest island. The island separates the larger part of Lake Huron to its south and west from Georgian Bay to its east and the North Channel to the north. Manitoulin Island itself has 108 freshwater lakes, some of which have their own islands; in turn several of these "islands within islands" have their own ponds. Lake Manitou, at 104 km² (40 sq mi), is the largest lake in a freshwater island in the world, and Treasure Island in Lake Mindemoya is the largest island in a lake on an island in a lake in the world. Motors are prohibited on boats on Nameless Lake.

The island also has four major rivers: the Kagawong, Manitou River, Blue Jay Creek in Michael's Bay and Mindemoya rivers, which provide spawning grounds for salmon and trout.

The "Cup and Saucer Trail", which climbs the escarpment, provides a spectacular lookout over the island.

Manitoulin Island Map - Click To Expand

Amazing Trip Through The Most Scenic Route In Ontario

I was lucky to go visit this island last week through the most scenic route in Ontario. This scenic route is also the best during fall for enjoying fall colours. The following video captures a lot of information that may help you in planning your trip to this beautiful island. You can see the following in this video:

- Round trip route details from Toronto through the most scenic route
- Sunset views at Ms Chi-Cheemaun Ferry From Tobermory to South Baymouth
- Cup and Saucer Trail
- Bridal Veil Falls
- Little Current Swing Bridge
- Road biking at the best road bike trails in Ontario
- Many bays including South Bay, Providence Bay, and Green Bay
- Lots of bird watching

We enjoyed every moment on this island. I hope you will enjoy this video as well. Please subscribe and like this video if it helped you in learning or planning your next trip.

Scenic Routes

The Coastal Route

Coastal Route With My Favourite Algonquin Park

Where We Stayed

We stayed at Black Rock Resort at South Bay. This resort provides amazing views 24x7. The hosts were amazing and very helpful. Overall, this resort made this trip an affair to remember. 

Their website is also very helpful. The following map from them provides a rough guideline for travel time across the island.

Activities To Do

Campfire @ Black Rock Resort

Providence Bay To Mindemoya

Photography @Manitoulin

South Bay

• ✨ Southbay gallery
• ✨ Little Schoolhouse Museum
• South Baymouth Range Lighthouses
• John Budd Memorial Park
• South Baymouth Trail––A one-hour trail up limestone steps through the bush with Lake Huron views. Before or after your journey on the Chi-Cheemaun ferry, access is south of the terminal building across from the boat launch, off the small boat harbour parking lot or off Green Street.

Mindemoya Lake

• ✨ Central Manitoulin Historical Society
• Maja’s Garden
• ✨ Central Manitoulin Pioneer Museum
• Jack Seabrook’s Farm Museum
• ✨ Maple Ridge Trails
• ✨ Wagg’s Woods – An easy one-hour walk in a dense 49-acre forest of maple, birch, basswood, wildflowers, 15 species of ferns and mossy cliffs of the Niagara escarpment. Situated on A.J. Wagg’s original pioneer farm off Mindemoya’s main street. (Mr. Wagg was the founder of Mindemoya’s dairy operations, and of Wagg’s Creamery, in 1902.)
• Mindemoya Public Beach
• Biking trail Route

Light House @ Sun Set

Providence Bay

• ✨ Providence Bay Beach
• Wikwemkoong
• ✨ Monday August 7: 11-5 cultural festival 
• ✨ Wiikwemkoong Art Gallery
• ✨ Bebamikawe Hike - 4 hrs 
• ✨ Point Grondine Park
• The undceded journey tour - 3 hrs; historic sites, craft shop, art gallery 
• Bay of the Beaver Canoe Tour - half day 
• Dewegan Drum and Song - 2 hrs, drum performance & teachings 
• Making Footprint Tour - 2 hrs, educational tour focusing on medicine use 
• Species in Point Grondine Hike - 4 hrs 

Fun @ Providence Bay Beach

M’Chigeeng

• ✨ The Cup and Saucer Hiking Trails—12km of trails that form part of the Niagara Escarpment, with panoramic vistas Lake Manitou’s Green Bay and also the North Channel. Well worth the three hour walk and climb, although it’s not necessary to hike for that long to experience great views. On the Bidwell Road just off Hwy 540; closed at sunset, and not recommended for children under seven years of age.
• ✨ Ojibwe Cultural Foundation
• Neon Raven Art Gallery
• Great Spirit Circle Trail  (tour company)

Kagawong

• ✨ Bridal Veil Falls River Trail—It takes about 30 minutes to walk the leafy trail that follows the stream starting at the base of the falls, descending past a small generating station to the North Channel’s Mudge Bay in Kagawong. Those with physical challenges in navigating the long staircase down to the base of the falls can access the trail in the town near the Old Mill. Off Highway 540 at the entrance to the Village of Kagawong at Bridal Veil Falls.
• Perivale Gallery
• Kagawong Lighthouse
• The Old Mill Heritage Centre

Bridal Veil Falls

Gore Bay

• ✨ Tobacco Lake Beach
• East Bluff Lookout
• Gore Bay museum
• William Purvis Marine Museum
• Hindman Park Lookout
• Boardwalk Trail (1.2 km)
• Noble Nature Trail (1.1 km)

Beautiful Mermaids

Manitowaning

• ✨ Assiginack Museum
• ✨ Manitowaning Lighthouse 
• Rainbow Ridge Golf Course

Little Current

• ✨ Little current beach
• ✨ McLean’s Mountain Lookout (mcleans park is between manitowaning anf south baymouth, leads to the mountain lookout)
• ✨ Swing Bridge
• McLean’s Park—Easy three kilometre trail on old logging roads in 100 acres of old hardwood bush with washrooms at the trailhead. On the scenic New England Road off Highway 6 between South Baymouth and Manitowaning.
• Honora Bay Riding Stables
• Georgian Bay

Swing Bridge

Meldrum Bay

• Mississagi Lighthouse—Short trails over limestone ledges, around enormous boulders and rock fissures, offering impressive views of the Mississagi Straits of Lake Huron; there is a restaurant, museum and sites for picnics and camping. Just before Meldrum Bay, turn left for the 10km drive to the Mississagi lighthouse, built in 1873. Open every day 8 am to 8 pm from the last weekend of June until the third Saturday in September.

Barrie Island

• Janet Head Lighthouse

Bird Watching @Black Rock Resort

Gordon’s Park

• In a private park, three trails through five eco-systems (wetland, forest, meadow, pond, escarpment). An interpretive centre features mounted displays of bears, wolves, hawks and owls and information on fossils, edible wild plants, trees and wildflowers. There is also an observation deck, bird blind, picnic area, pool, mini-putt, camping and tipi tenting, b&b, store and dark sky sanctuary with astronomy observatory. On Hwy 6 north of South Baymouth. 

Lewis Twin Peaks Hiking Trail

• Easy two-kilometre trail with dramatic views of Bass Lake and the North Channel from quartzite outcrop lookouts; in Sheguiandah, on the west side of Highway 6.

Nimkees Hiking Trail

• For hikers and mountain bikers, this 20km trail, divided into several sections, leads to Cunningham beach, or to Cape Robert, where there was a lighthouse built in 1885. With advance notice, groups of 12 may rent Nishin Lodge; catering and guides can be arranged. In Sheshegwaning First Nation; for trail and lodge information, telephone the band office at 705-283-3292, or drop in.

Misery Bay Provincial Park 

• The only operating (day-use only) provincial park on Manitoulin Island
• Provides access to scenic Lake Huron Coastline
• 15 km of hiking trails
• Rare plants and globally significant ecosystems