Waking to calm water was a gift, and I knew I had to take advantage of it. My plan was ambitious—over 20 kilometers of paddling, including a three-kilometer crossing to the Bustard Islands. From camp, I could see the Bustard Lighthouse, one of the few still active on Georgian Bay. There’s something about lighthouses that pulls me in. They’re a connection to another time, when people lived in rhythm with the water and relied on these towers for survival.

Calm or not, open water crossings here are never trivial. Eight kilometers of paddling across glassy water can feel both peaceful and unsettling. At times, the horizon faded into nothingness, leaving me suspended between water and sky. Experiences like this are humbling reminders of just how small we really are.

Fuel for the Journey

Trips like these are powered by more than paddle strokes—they’re fueled by food. On this kayaking expedition in the Georgian Bay, I was testing PackitGourmet meals, and I have to say, they exceeded expectations.

My Santa Fe Corn Pudding breakfast earned a five-star rating after I discovered the flavorful layers hiding at the bottom of the pouch. When you’re carrying everything in your kayak—including an extra 40–50 pounds of camera gear—having hearty, tasty meals makes a big difference.

Campsites That Rival Any Resort

Each night I pulled into another epic campsite—some in the French River Provincial Park, others on crown land where paddlers are free to camp. These sites are scattered across smooth granite shorelines that glow in the evening light, providing natural platforms for tents and fire pits.

As I sat on the rocks watching the sun dip below the horizon, I couldn’t help but reflect on value. Many people spend $5,000–$10,000 on a week at an all-inclusive resort. For the same investment, you could buy every piece of kayaking and camping gear needed for trips like this—gear that will last a decade and provide countless adventures. Personally, I’ll take a kayak, a tent, and a wild shoreline over a buffet line any day.

The Final Push

As my trip wound down and I paddled south toward Britt, I felt the bittersweet emotions that come with the final night on the water. You mourn the end of a great adventure, but you’re already dreaming of the next one. For me, that’s Lake Superior, just a few weeks away.

Whether it’s the Philip Edward Island loop, the Mink Islands, Franklin Island, or the Bustards, Georgian Bay offers world-class kayak tripping. If you’re planning a visit, Killarney Outfitters is a fantastic resource to get you started.

This trip gave me everything I hoped for—challenge, beauty, and inspiration. If you’re a paddler, do yourself a favor, put Georgian Bay at the top of your bucket list.

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Read a more in depth article about Exploring Georgian Bay.

Special Thanks

Destination Ontario https://www.destinationontario.com  

The Seven https://www.northeasternontario.com

Explorer's Edge http://explorersedge.ca

Ontario Creates, Boreal Design Kayaks, NRS, Aqua Bound, Killarney Outfitters

The post Georgian Bay Kayak Touring | Bustard Islands and Big Crossings – Part 2 appeared first on Hazeadventure.

On the far eastern end of Lake Superior, you’ll find Lake Superior Provincial Park, one of the most beautiful and accessible sections of the Lake.  Many call the Park the crown jewel of Algoma Country – a region within Northern Ontario that’s well known for its incredible wilderness and outdoor adventure opportunities. That’s why I made the 10-hour drive from the Nation’s Capital region – to discover Lake Superior Provincial Park for myself on a five day, solo sea kayaking trip – a trip that I’ve looked forward to for a very long time.

Day 1 – Sinclair Cove and Agawa Rocks

Setting out from Sinclair Cove on the southern end of the Park, I enjoyed blue skies and calm seas on my first day.

Although the water of Lake Superior looks almost tropical at times, it is dangerously cold throughout the year, peaking at 19-degrees Celsius (67-degrees Fahrenheit) in mid-summer.

Day 2 – Kayaking Around Cape Gargantua

On Day 2 the wind picked up and the water got rougher as I traveled 20km from Beatty Cove around Cape Gargantua and through the Gargantua Islands Preserve. The area is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful places on the entire Lake Superior Coast, and it was easy to see why. It’s also a place of great spiritual significance to the Batchewana First Nation, whose cultural heritage is rooted here.

Even though the P&H Scorpio sea kayak I was using has lots of space to store gear, I needed to strap a bag to the back deck of the kayak because of all the extra camera gear that I was carrying. To minimize the impact of the bag on my stability and my ability to roll the kayak, I filled the bag with light and bulky items, like my sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and bulky clothes. I also used this trip to test a variety of other paddling and camping gear, including the new Aqua Bound Tetra Ultralight paddle and NRS Swig Hydration pack, which I both enjoyed so much that I gave them a PaddleTV Award. Check out the other products that I gave PaddleTV Awards to HERE.

There are many sections of the Lake Superior coast where landing and getting out is impossible, especially during rough conditions.  It’s a good idea to take the opportunity to stretch the legs whenever there’s a nice landing spot available.

Day 3 – A Rough Day of Kayaking on Lake Superior

Setting out from Chalfant Bay on Day 3, the water was beautiful and sheltered, but the wind in the treetops was a giveaway that things would be different when I reached exposed water.

The coast of Lake Superior has so many coves, bays, and nooks to explore.

A 5-mile crossing with sustained 20 mph winds and 35 mph gusts made for an extremely challenging and nerve racking afternoon that involved rounding the most exposed headland of Lake Superior Provincial Park – Cap Chaillon. Watch the nerve racking crossing on my new YouTube channel @KenWhitingAdventures.

With a strong tailwind all day long, I almost doubled my planned distance on Day 3, which brought me to a beautiful campsite in Brule Harbour.

Day 4 – The Paddle Home to Michipicoten Bay

The final day of paddling from Brule Harbour to Rock Island Lodge in Michipicoten Bay takes you along one of the most beautiful shorelines in the Park.

It’s hard not to feel very small when you’re paddling in an environment that’s so vast.

Taking a final break before making the last push to Michipicoten Bay, where a comfy bed awaited at the Rocky Island Lodge.  I was sad to finish the trip, but my shoulder was thankful for the break. This would be my last day paddling for 6 months, as my should issue turned out to be a combination of a torn rotator cuff, tendinosis, and the beginnings of a frozen shoulder. This would turn out to be the longest break from paddling that I’ve had in over 30 years.

For guided paddling trips on Lake Superior, shuttles, or kayak rentals check out Naturally Superior Adventures.

For great accommodation on Lake Superior, check out Rock Island Lodge.

Check out my full review of the P&H Scorpio Kayak

Watch my full Lake Superior Paddling Adventure

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