Join us as we head to one of Ontario's highlights: Bruce Peninsula National Park. Home to the Famous Grotto and Indian Head Cove. The Grotto is a limestone sea cave that has been carved over time to leave a covered hole with water inside, reminiscent of a Cenote in Mexico. Indian Head Cove is a beautiful rocky beach with turquoise waters and surrounded by cliffs. The only thing missing is palm trees.
Some call Bruce Peninsula the Caribbean of Canada. We'll let you decide. You should have approximately 3 ish hours at the National Park depending on traffic, delays, and group dynamics. Please note, to get to the Grotto, you must either be a competent swimmer or have good mobility to climb down a cliff.
We'll also visit the town of Tobermory where you'll have some free time for lunch. We often get asked if you can do a Glass bottom boat or visit Flower Pot Island, to which we would say no, as we won't be in Tobermory long enough. If that's what you are looking to do, check out our 2 day camping trips which have more time allocated for. Our aim for Tobermory is to show you the town, and give you some free time to grab something to eat before we hit the road back to Toronto. Fish and chips is uually a popular choice but not mandatory.
We'll round out the day with a visit to Inglis Falls, an 18m waterfall with little distance to reach it from the car park. Located on the site of an old Grist Mill, this waterfall is great for photos.
It's important to note that Bruce Peninsula is a good drive, and we'll be spending many hours on the road. We'll do our best to kill time along the way, with movies, music, and commentary.
This tour departs from Toronto (Yorkdale TTC Passenger pick up).
FAQ's
What's included?
Return transportation, Driver guide, Entry to Bruce Peninsula National Park (permit), Visits to Tobermory, Inglis Falls, and Indian Head Cove.
What's not included?
Food, driver gratuities, insurance.
Can I swim?
Yes you can swim. To do so, bring a change of costume. It's worth noting that the temperatures in Lake Huron can be particularly cold. Therefore, we encourage you to know your own abilities before you go into the water. Cliff jumping is prohibited.
Can I go to Flowerpot Island or on a Glass bottom boat?
We won't have enough time to do this. We intend to visit Tobermory for an hour so you can get some food and see the town. If you want to do a Glass Bottom Boat or visit Flower Pot Island, then book one of our camping trips which have more free time in Tobermory.
Parking
We do our pick-ups from Yorkdale TTC passenger pick-up. We suggest taking public transportation to the meeting point. If you must take the car, the options are to park at Wilson Passenger pick-up and parking—this is free on the weekends and subject to availability. We would not suggest parking at Yorkdale Mall as vehicles may be ticketed or towed after 5 hours.
Can I bring my pet?
We love animals, but we can't allow pets, we’re afraid. We will designate a few pet-friendly dates each year, but it's impossible for us to know if anyone has an allergy to dogs or cats, etc., ahead of time, and we don't want to cause any reactions in an enclosed space. We really do think dogs are paw-fect! And we will aim to offer some pet-friendly dates which will be clearly listed in the future.
Ready to book? Find your tour below ⬇️
Sample itinerary
Please note, Monday - Saturday departs at 07:30, whereas Sundays and some public holidays depart at 09:00. 09:00 departures will visit Bruce Peninsula national park first, then go to Tobermory. 07:30 departures will visit Tobermory first.
07:30: Depart Toronto from Yorkdale station TTC passenger pick up
Aim to be early, and run the risk of being on time. If you are late, we may not be able to wait.
09:30: Arrive In Markdale
We’ll make a washroom break. Here you can grab snacks, stretch your legs, and learn more about your day.
10:00: Depart for Tobermory
Fun Fact: The Niagara Escarpment stretches all the way from New York State to Wisconsin and is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.
12:00: Arrive in Tobermory
Tobermory is known as the freshwater scuba diving capital of Canada thanks to its incredibly clear water and numerous shipwrecks. You’ll have one hour here from when we arrive. Please do not book yourself a Glass Bottom Boat Tour. If you would like to join one of those, join our two day camping trip.
13:00: Depart for Bruce Peninsula National Park & The Grotto
It’s a short drive to Bruce Peninsula National Park. Once there, we’ll check in at the office at Cyprus Lake Campground.
We’ll then do the hike to Indian Head Cove (1.7km one way) from the Head of Trails carpark. This hike is easy to moderate, with rugged terrain, and gentle slopes. The real point to note is the uneven terrain once we reach Indian Head Cove - Sandles may not be the best choice of footwear.
We often get asked where the Grotto is. Quite often we see it mislabeled online as Indian Head Cove.
The Grotto is located approx 100m west of Indian Head Cove.
16:00: Depart Bruce Peninsula National Park
17:00: Break in Wiarton
We’ll make our last washroom / food / stretch break in Wiarton. Wiarton is famous for Wiarton Willie, Canada’s groundhog weather predictor.
17:30: Depart for Inglis Falls
18:00: Arrive at Inglis Falls
Here we’ll do a short stop so you can see an 18m waterfall based on the site of an Old Grist Mill. The good news is that it’s a short walk from the vehicle to the waterfall
18:15: Depart Inglis Falls
Watch a movie, sleep, or listen to music on the way back
20:45: Arrive back in Toronto
Thanks for a fun day out
