The town of Little Current bills itself as the Gateway to Manitoulin Island. Considering the only land access to the island is the iconic swing bridge on the east end of town, it’s an apt description. The town is quite literally the gateway to the world’s largest freshwater island, and has been since its founding in 1879.

Not only is Little Current home to the only road onto the island, it’s also a Port of Entry for Canada. Many visitors arrive by water throughout the summer boating season. An evening stroll along the boardwalk will reveal boats from all over the Great Lakes Basin and the East Coast of Canada, as well as the United States.
Facilities
The North Channel is considered to be one of the best freshwater boating regions in the world, and Little Current is one of its best-equipped facilities, so there is plenty of boating activity.
Spider Bay Marina offers 80 seasonal slips and 50 transient docks with 30-amp power. The marina also has an excellent boat launch and plenty of parking. There is a $5 fee for both launching and recovering your boat. There’s a fuel dock with a six-foot draft, and pump-out services are available.
Besides the marina, the downtown docks offer even more space for boaters, with another fuel dock and plenty of water depth for even the biggest yachts. Little Current serves as a cruise ship port, and it’s no surprise to sail into the town docks and see the 325-foot Pearl Mist moored at the pier.