Tobermory is a small community located at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula in Northern Ontario. It’s also known as the “Fresh Water Scuba Diving Capital of the World” because of the numerous shipwrecks that lie in the clear blue surrounding waters. Aside from frequently indulging in ice cream at the town’s “Sweet Shop,” all of my time here was spent outdoors canoeing, paddle boating, hiking, swimming, and making gooey smores at the evening campfire. The water is always freezing cold, but since it is so clear and blue, people cannot resist on a hot summer’s day. Once I mustered up the courage to dive in, the pins and needles piercing my skin made it difficult to simply swim back to shore. It felt really nice afterwards drying off on the warm rocks in the sun.
We made a visit to Singing Sands, a beach made up of extremely soft sand that goes on forever. The water is also warm since it is so shallow, which was a nice change. Singing Sands is one of the most charming beaches on the Bruce Peninsula. Walking down the boardwalk from the parking lot, it opens up to an expansive, flat beach that is longer than it is wide. Large puddles of water dotted the beach and created sparkles of reflecting sun rays.
My favourite part of my time in Tobermory was the hike in Bruce Peninsula National Park. We made our way to the Grotto, a big cave on the shore carved out by the waves of Georgian Bay over thousands of years. From the trail, we climbed down the very steep and jagged grooves in the rock. The setting here is pristine: no signs, stairs, or railings. Careful footing is crucial as a slip here would be incredibly dangerous. Once down at the cave, it is a simply stunning sight. Sunlight from the outside reveals a brilliant turquoise underwater tunnel on the inside.
We were the first ones on site since we arrived so early and had the entire Grotto to ourselves. It was so calm and quiet and we could hear the gentle trickle of water on the rocks. It was just the two of us, and only our voices echoing within the cave. Soon enough, the rest of the tourists started pouring in, taking over the tranquility. Waking up early to beat the overwhelming crowds in both the town and national parks is essential to experience Tobermory’s beautiful and pristine landscape and atmosphere.
Filed under: Canada Tagged: Bruce Peninsula, Canada, Georgian Bay, Grotto, Nature, Ontario, Photography, Singing Sands, Tobermory, Travel
