When looking for a daytrip to explore a little more of Ontario, I came across this little gem- Flowerpot Island ,Tobermory. As this is a trip offered seasonally from approximately mid May to mid October and is really popular, I was very lucky to get a last minute ticket (through Viator but operating tour company was Toronto Fun Tours). The 15 hrs round trip, however, meant it would be loong day.
As expected it was a really early morning start as I had to meet the bus at York Mills Station by 8am. This is about 20 mins cab ride away from Toronto center and I could have taken a bus/ tube combo but it was a Sunday and I wasn't confident of the timings so Uber it was!
The tourbus was waiting exactly where I was told it would be and once I was checked in and allotted my preassigned seat, it was go time!
*Just a note that there is a Starbucks here which is convenient for a quick pick me up and for the all important bathroom visit!
We left almost on time and our first stop was 30 mins away at Mississauga, which was the 2nd pick up point. ( The McDonalds here is the coffee and bathroom break place but you've gotta be quick as the lines for both can get really long!)
All aboard and next stop would be Tobermory for lunch at 1230pm with a quick coffee and bathroom break thrown in between.
Lunch at Tobermory was at a no nonsense pre plated restaurant whose main aim seemed to be to feed and dispatch groups as fast as possible- I would have preferred being given the meal allowance in cash and have the option to eat at any of the stalls nearby but it was all part of the package so......
Lunch didn't take me very long and I walked along the dock taking in the picturesque little town of Tobermory before arriving at the group meeting point by 1.30pm. We were handed our tickets to the glass bottomed boat( pleasures of travelling with a guide and group!) and boarded for Flowerpot Island by 1.50 pmish.
*Please note that the boat trip is dependent on the weather and may be switched out for a hike in the nature reserve if conditions are not favorable so plan to go during good weather months!
The trip to Flowerpot was about an hour long and so beautiful. As it was a gorgeous sunny day I opted to stay on the open top deck and enjoy the scenery which was stunning! We saw the Lighthouse and Flowerpot formations from the boat as well as a shallow shipwreck at nearby Big Tub Harbor. The water was so clear that the wreck was easily visible even from the top deck although I did also go have a look through the glass bottom! The cruise company does stay over the wreck for a decent amount of time so you can see it to your hearts content which is great!
We were dropped off at Flowerpot Island around 3pm and had time to explore till 520pm before our trip back to Tobermory.
This time allocation was quite enough to walk the island end to end at a relaxed pace and explore various nooks and crannies. The walking trail is lovely but make sure to venture through some of the foliage to get to the waters edge- the views are stunning. Crystal clear waters, lazy seabirds sunning and a warming sun above- perfection!
There is also a quaint house at one end of the island which is set up as a museum home- worth a stroll through, after which I recommend taking a few minutes to sit in the chairs on the beach and just watch nature "happen" around you. I could have spent hours basking in the warm sunlight and watching the waves come in....
Eventually had to drag myself away and return to the dock to wait for the boat back.
Few things to note:
*There are snakes around (harmless I'm told) but thankfully I didn't know this till the end or I may have been more cautious and less daring. Saw one as I waited on the pier though but it didn't matter as I'd already had my fun!
*There is a bathroom at the jetty but only nature after that so plan accordingly!
*Carry water as there are no drinking fountains
*Whatever trash you generate you need to carry back and dispose of
Once back in Tobermory we boarded the bus for the long trip back. Again a stop for a quick dinner/loo break and another at Mississauga before reaching Toronto around 11pm. An Uber back to the BnB and bed sweet bed!
A long but exhilarating day which I would love to do again but this time I would spend a couple of nights at Tobermory and explore a bit more of the area as I'm sure there is loads more to see.
**Cost of my trip inclusive of lunch was USD$148. Tips, coffees, dinner and travel to and from York Mills were extra.