With over 30,000 islands, Georgian Bay has some of the best sea kayak touring in the world.
Paddle through the rugged windswept beauty that inspired the famous landscape paintings by the Group of Seven. Explore a mosaic of open water, sheltered bays and coastal wetlands. Camp on smooth Canadian Shield and enjoy spectacular sunrises and sunsets.
Enjoy a wilderness kayak and camping trip. Source: Destination Ontario In 2004, UNESCO designated 347,000 hectares along Georgian Bay’s eastern coast as a World Biosphere Reserve. The unique geography and geology of the area creates more than 1,000 distinct habitat types that support a variety of rare plant, mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibian species.
TRY THIS …
Learn to kayak or improve your skills at a clinic or on a guided Georgian Bay wilderness kayak and camping trip. Get fully outfitted (kayak, paddle, gear and food) for a self-guided trip or take a guided, fully outfitted adventure where everything is taken care of.
Kayak Skills Clinics
Learn to kayak or upgrade your skills with a Paddle Canada course at Ontario Sea Kayak Centre near Parry Sound. Choose from Basic Kayaking to Level Three Skills programs. Stay on-site in a cozy glamping tent.
Learn to kayak at a clinic or on a guided trip. Source: Destination Ontario Georgian Bay Kayak Trips – Guided
If You Have 1 to 2 Days
Location: Near Parry Sound
Trip: Guided Georgian Bay Kayak Day Trips
Length: Day Trip (10am to 4pm)
Adventure Provider: Ontario Sea Kayak Centre
Skill Level: Beginner to Experienced
Dates: Daily June to September
Why You’ll Love It: Ontario Sea Kayak Centre offers six launch points and areas to explore on their guided Georgian Bay kayak trips. They include equipment rental (kayak, safety gear, paddles and skirts) and an experienced, certified kayak guide who will show you the beauty of the area. The Georgian Bay kayak trips can accommodate groups up to 6 people with one guide. Stay on-site in a cozy glamping tent.
How To Do This Trip: Book online or call 1-905-399-1216.
If You Have 3 to 5 Days
Location: Killbear Provincial Park
Trip: Guided Georgian Bay Getaway or Women Only Getaway
Length: 3 days, 2 nights
Adventure Provider: Black Feather
Skill Level: 1 (Beginner)
Dates: Various dates in August
Why You’ll Love It: This fully outfitted Georgian Bay kayak trip is an ideal introduction to kayak touring. It’s designed to provide you with basic paddling, safety, rescue, navigation, touring and kayak-camping techniques while enjoying a relaxed wilderness holiday. A women-only version of the trip is also available.
How to Do This Trip: Book online or call 1-888-849-7668
Location: Snug Harbour/Britt
Trip: 30,000 Islands of Georgian Bay Guided Kayak Trip
Length: 3 days, 2 nights or 5 days, 4 nights
Adventure Provider: Wilderness Adventures
Skill Level: Beginner to Experienced
Dates: Every week in June, July and August
Why You’ll Love It: This wilderness odyssey will be the highlight of your summer vacation. Enjoy a fully outfitted trip lead by Professional ORKCA certified guides who will teach you basic or advanced kayak handling and paddling skills for flat water kayak travel plus wilderness camping techniques. Enjoy the magnificent scenery, swim, fish and relax. Transportation from Toronto can be included.
How to Do This Trip: Book online or call 1-866-383-9453
Enjoy delicous meals on guided kayak trips. Source: Destination Ontario Location: Britt
Trip: Britt to Hartley Bay Guided Kayak Trip
Length: 5 days, 4 nights
Adventure Provider: Black Feather
Skill Level: 2 (adventurous beginners and experienced paddlers)
Dates: July
Why You’ll Love It: Starting on the lower Magnetawan River, you’ll paddle in sheltered channels then cross open area to the Bustard Islands. Enjoy camping on scenic sites, great food and incredible sunsets. This fully outfitted trip finishes by heading up the Lower French River to Hartley Bay.
How to Do This Trip: Book online or call 1-888-849-7668
Location: Near Parry Sound
Trip: Women Only Guided Kayak Yoga Trip
Length: 5 days, 4 nights
Adventure Provider: Wild Women Expeditions
Skill Level: Beginner to Experienced
Dates: July
Why You’ll Love It: By the end of this fully outfitted adventure you will feel rejuvenated, revitalized and confident with the basics of kayak tripping. Enjoy paddling and practicing yoga surrounded by the rugged beauty of granite islands and windswept pines.
How to Book This Trip: Book online or call 1-888-993-1222.
Location: Hartley Bay
Trip: Lower French River to Georgian Bay Guided Kayak Trip
Length: 5 days, 4 nights
Adventure Provider: Black Feather
Skill Level: 2 (adventurous beginners and experienced paddlers)
Dates: August
Why You’ll Love It: Starting at Hartley By, you’ll paddle down the old Voyageur Channel to Georgian Bay and into the 30,000 Islands. Kayak the open crossing to the Bustard Islands, a few kilometres off shore. Camp on beautiful islands, enjoy delicious meals and world-class paddling.
How to Do This Trip: Book online or call 1-888-849-7668
If You Have 6+ Days
Location: Britt
Trip: Georgian Bay Guided Kayak Trip
Length: 6 days, 5 nights
Adventure Provider: Sea to Sky Expeditions
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Dates: Various dates in July and August
Why You’ll Love It: This fully outfitted kayak trip is intended for paddlers interested in experiencing the wilderness beauty of Georgian Bay while learning more advanced kayak paddling skills and wilderness camping techniques.
How to Do This Trip: Book online
Location: Georgian Bay Islands
Trip: Georgian Bay Islands Guided Kayak Trip
Length: 7 days, 6 nights
Adventure Provider: Black Feather
Skill Level: 2 (adventurous beginners and experienced paddlers)
Dates: Various dates in July and August
Why You’ll Love It: The 30,000 islands make Georgian Bay a kayaker’s paradise. This fully outfitted kayak trip begins with a short skills clinic and several hours of paddling down a sheltered river to the bay. Camp on deserted islands, enjoy spectacular sunsets, swimming and delicious meals. Paddle from Key River to the quaint village of Killarney.
How to Book This Trip: Book online or call 1-888-849-7668
Georgian Bay sunsets are the best. Source: Destination Ontario Location: Lake Huron’s North Channel
Trip: Women Only Guided Kayak Expedition
Length: 8 days, 7 nights
Adventure Provider: Wild Women Expeditions
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Dates: August
Why You’ll Love It: Paddle through crystal clear waters to gorgeous secret islands and pristine beaches with views of the La Cloche Mountains on this fully outfitted kayak expedition. Enjoy delicious meals, wilderness camping and great friendships.
How to Book This Trip: Book online or call 1-888-993-1222.
Georgian Bay Kayak Rentals - Self-Guided Trips
Killarney Outfitters provides full outfitting (kayaks, PFDs, paddle, safety kit, camping equipment, navigation, meals, cooking equipment, utility and hygiene products) services for Georgian Bay kayak trips. Located in Killarney, they will help you plan the perfect Georgian Bay kayak route and provide everything you need for a self-guided trip to Philip Edward Island, Killarney Village, Bustard Islands and more.
Hartley Bay Marina, on the Lower French River, offers Georgian Bay kayaking rental packages that include 18.8’Wilderness System kayaks, equipped with paddling vests, paddle and everything else you will need for your trip.
Swift Outdoor Centre - Georgian Bay is located on Hwy 400 north, Waubaushene. It offers kayak rentals for Georgian Bay kayaking trips.
Key Harbour Lodge in Britt, can arrange for kayak rentals for you. It is an excellent location to explore Georgian Bay by kayak.
FOOTNOTES
MORE ABOUT GEORGIAN BAY KAYAK ROUTES AND TRIPS
- An insider’s Guide to Georgian Bay
- Exceptional Wilderness Sea Kayak Touring on Georgian Bay
- Kayak Georgian Bay’s Stunning Islands
- Kayaking Georgian Bay’s Biosphere Reserve
WHILE YOU’RE THERE
- Just an hour north of Parry Sound, the French River Visitor Centre tells the story of Canada’s first heritage river – a key travelling route for Aboriginals and early explorers.
- Fly, Hike & Dine with Georgian Bay Airways or other sightseeing flights
- Be sure to stop by the French River Trading Post for hand-crafted Canadian moccasins, carvings and other must haves.
TRAVEL INFO
The eastern Georgian Bay area is easily accessed by car or bus.
For regional travel information, visit Explorer’s Edge and Northeastern Ontario. Learn more about the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve.
