Tobermory – a Nature Lover’s Dream
A perfect weekend getaway
Go diving, hiking, camping or have a beach day
Home to 44 species of orchids
Found at the tip of highway 6 in Ontario, Canada, Tobermory is a stunning small town with big-time views. Tobermory is in the traditional territory of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation and has a broad history going back 7500 years!
Known as the “freshwater scuba diving capital of the world,” Tobermory sits right beside Fathom Five National Marine Park, Canada’s first Marine conservation area - home to many shipwrecks that are waiting to be explored. Interestingly, the area features of mix of naturally sunken and man-sunken ships, along with ship-free diving sites, with different spots suitable for snorkeling and diving.
If you love camping, head to Flowerpot Island, situated inside Five National Marine Park and named for 2 seastacks that have trees growing out them! There are 6 tenting sites to choose from and the island is accessible by boat only – perfect for an escape from the city.
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If diving and camping are not your thing, try hiking along the Bruce Trail – following the Niagara escarpment, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, this trail features beautiful flowers and animals as well scenic views of clear, blue water once you reach the cliffs.
If you’re looking for a weekend of r and r, head to one of the many beaches in Tobermory. A favourite of many is "Singing Sands" beach, on the Lake Huron side of the bay. This beach is loved for its shallow, warm water and lots of sand! Cobble beach is covered in stones instead of sand and has cooler water because it’s on the Georgian Bay side – head here to take a nice canoe or kayak ride. Be sure to visit all the unique beaches to see various coves and grottos for an amazing experience!
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Along with all the other unique characteristics of Tobermory, an especially beautiful experience is taking in the 44 species of wild orchids that grow in the area. You can also lookout for rare species of flowers like Calypso Orchid (found only on Flowerpot Island), Lakeside Daisy, and Dwarf Lake Iris. This area features almost 40 varieties of ferns and tons of other plants to explore. Beware of trampling and picking of the flowers in this area, so the beauty can be enjoyed for years to come.
With so much to do and see, Tobermory should definitely be on your list of vacation spots this year. The area makes a perfect weekend getaway for those living in Ontario, and a wonderful destination spot for those coming from Outside the province or the US. Visit https://tobermory.com/ for more information!
Krista Swais-Hannesen Editorial Director and Executive Editor, A Beautiful Life Magazine & Books
Instagram: @kristahannesen
Photo Credits: Zen Zeee, Mike Marcov, Thesofa - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4488070
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