The Great Lakes of Canada and the US are quickly becoming a new cruising ground for mega yacht owners and captains, anxious to find new itineraries and vacation experiences. The Inland Sea of the Great Lakes has long had a robust recreational boating history and combines the security of homeland cruising with a rich mix of cultures and ports. Sophisticated cosmopolitan cities like Chicago and Toronto offer the cruiser a choice of theater, shopping, world class dining and a long list of events from Film festivals to Indy car racing. Some of the real charm of the Great Lakes is the quaint fishing villages, secluded anchorages, and spectacular scenery. The sample itinerary below gives the reader a taste of this beautiful part of North America.
Itinerary - Midland, ON to Mackinac Island, MI
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| Day 1 | Fly into Toronto's Pearson Airport and transfer to the Georgian Bay port of Midland Ontario to meet your yacht. After your 90 minute limo ride to your vessel relax in the quaint town center or take an escorted tour of the nearby Martyrs Shrine, built over 360 years ago by early Jesuits missionaries. |
Day 2 Midland to Collingwood (30 Nautical Miles) | Cruise south west to the port of Collingwood Ontario on the southern shore of Georgian Bay. Here spend an afternoon at the World Class resort Club Interwest and play a round at the beautiful Monterra Golf Course. The more adventurous guests may choose to experience the Hummer excursion through the off road trails. Dine onboard or at one of the many excellent restaurants at the Village of Blue Mountain. |
Day 3 Collingwood to Tobermory (60 Nautical Miles) | Heading northbound along the shore of the Bruce Peninsula your vessel arrives at the small fishing village of Tobermory. The ferry terminal for the Chi Cheemaun, Tobermory is the home of the Fathom Five underwater park and a hotbed for diving the many wrecks found in this part of the Great Lakes. |
Day 4 Tobermory to The Pool (70 Nautical Miles) | With an early morning departure from Tobermory your vessel will head north past Flower Pot Island in the lee of Manitoulin Island, the largest freshwater Island in the world. Just past the midway point of the voyage your yacht will enter the narrow entrance to Bay Fine and guests will marvel at the white quartzite cliffs of one of North Americas' only fjords. Arriving at the famous anchorage called The Pool guests can enjoy a fresh water swim in the warm clear waters, or hike up to Topaz Lake. |
Day 5 The Pool to Little Current (22 Nautical Miles) | Cruise west on a short 3 hour passage to the Port of Little Current where your vessel will tie up downtown in the center of the quaint village. Take the optional excursion shore side to the Ojibwe First Nation reserve and visit the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation interpretive center. Learn of the customs of the native Indians of the area, enjoy the amazing artwork, smell the sweet grass used in ceremonies of this vibrant culture. |
Day 6 Little Current to The Benjamin Islands (24 Nautical Miles) | After a late morning departure your captain heads west towards the Benjamin Islands, one of the most popular anchorages in the North Channel. Here you can marvel at the smooth red granite rocks that protect this anchorage while exploring the many surrounding anchorages by tenders or jet skis. As the sun sets you have the option of a top deck enrichment seminar on astronomy by a local expect. The dark skies of the North Channel provide a spectacular vantage. |
Day 7 The Benjamin IslandsTo Mackinac Island (90 Nautical Miles) | An early morning departure you cruise westbound through the North Channel arriving in early afternoon at Mackinac Island Michigan. Here you can visit one of the most unique summer tourist destinations in the American mid-west. Horse drawn buggies, Victorian architecture and local made fudge are some of the unique offering of this beautiful island destination. |
Day 8 Transfer to Airport
| Take the fast ferry to your waiting transfer for a quick ride to the regional airport and connections back home after a spectacular voyage through the inland sea of the Great Lakes. |