Best of the best of Georgian Bay - Heaven on earth! (The Grotto and Indian Head Cove)
Tobermory is a small community located at the northern tip of the Bruce Peninsula, in the traditional territory of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation. Until European colonization in the mid-19th century, the Bruce Peninsula was home to the Saugeen Ojibway nations, with their earliest ancestors reaching the area as early as 7500 years ago.[1] It is part of the municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula. It is 300 kilometres (190 miles) northwest of Toronto. The closest city to Tobermory is Owen Sound, 100 kilometres (62 miles) south of Tobermory and connected by Highway 6.
Naval surveyor Henry Bayfield originally named this Port Collins Harbour.[2] Due to similar harbour conditions it was renamed after Tobermory (/ˌtoʊbərˈmɔːri/; Scottish Gaelic: Tobar Mhoire), the largest settlement in the Isle of Mull in the Scottish Inner Hebrides.
The community is known as the "fresh water SCUBA diving capital of the world" because of the numerous shipwrecks that lie in the surrounding waters, especially in Fathom Five National Marine Park. Tobermory and the surrounding area are popular vacation destinations. The town lies north of the Bruce Peninsula National Park.
The MS Chi-Cheemaun passenger-car ferry connects Tobermory to Manitoulin Island in Lake Huron. Tobermory is also the northern terminus of the Bruce Trail, and has twin harbours, known locally as "Big Tub" and "Little Tub". Big Tub Harbour is Canada's largest natural freshwater harbour.
Tobermory is typically a few degrees colder than Toronto. Most of the businesses in the town are open from May until the Thanksgiving long weekend in October, and are closed for the other seven months of the year.
Nature and Wildlife:
Tobermory is home to many different species of plants and animals. Ancient cedar trees survey along cliff edges and the vast dense forests in Tobermory and the Bruce Peninsula. Black bears and rare reptiles also find refuge in rocky areas the diverse wetlands of the area.
Some of the more commonly sighted animals include black bears, raccoons, white-tailed deer, porcupines, chipmunks and a variety of snakes. The Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake can also be found in Tobermory although it is now an endangered species.
Among the many types of plants found in the area, there are around 43 species of wild orchids on the Bruce Peninsula due to its variety of habitats. To celebrate, Tobermory hosts an annual orchid festival in June which includes guided tours and presentations.
At least one species of flower is found growing in Big Tub and no place else in the world.
Massive hauls of lumber in the early 1900s eventually resulted in settlers turning to fishing. Fishermen began dropping nets into Tobermory's deep natural harbours, Big and Little Tub in the late 1800s. The rich fisheries began to decline in the early 1920s due to overfishing and the introduction of the lamprey eel.
Attractions & Tourism:
Fathom Five National Marine Park
Tobermory is located next to Fathom Five National Marine Park, Canada's first national marine conservation area. The park includes 22 shipwrecks, several historic lighthouses, and glass-bottom cruises from Tobermory.
Lions Head
Known for its lion head shape, the eroding cliff edge has served as a tourist destination in Tobermory for the past few decades, and was utilized as a landmark when sailing ships were most common, providing them with shelter from the turbulent Georgian Bay.
Tourism
Tourism is booming in the area, having grown by over 200% in the five years between 2003 and 2008, and is expected to increase in the future.
Bruce Trail
Bruce trail, a popular hiking trail with magnificent cliff edge views of the turquoise water, begins at Tobermory and runs south all the way to Niagara Falls making it one of Canada's oldest and longest footpaths.