Exploring Bruce Peninsula, Ontario

I just came back from a week exploring, hiking, spelunking (caving) and fishing in the Bruce Peninsula with my son who lives in Toronto. While most of the US was in a heat dome in mid July, we enjoyed moderate temps in the low 60s to mid 70s (15c-20c)

The Bruce Peninsula, Ontario

The Bruce Peninsula, is part of the Niagara Escarpment which stretches along lake Michigan, Superior, Huron and Ontario to the falls that bear its name. The escarpment creates a unique ecosystem unlike any in the world, the Great Lakes.

Hiking to Blue Grotto

Enjoyed nice day hikes in Bruce Peninsula National Park along the Bruce Trail to the Blue Grotto and along the Lake shore.

The Blue Grotto, hidden away along the rugged shores of Georgian Bay, is a geological marvel. Picture crystal-clear waters, dramatic caves and limestone cliffs overlooking Georgian Bay, great for swimming, if you like cold water.

Caving

The caves along the shoreline of the Bruce Peninsula were formed by post-glacial wave action between 7,000 and 8,000 years ago and eroded the softer limestone into magnificent caverns.

We spent a pleasant morning hiking in one of the cave systems on the Bruce. While we didn’t; have proper spelunking gear, (lights, ropes, etc.) we only explored the openings and didn’t venture into the cave for safety reasons.

Lighthouses

All the little towns along the peninsula, whether on the Georgian bay side or the Lake Huron side, have quaint lighthouses that stand testament to the dangers and perils of shipping along the Great Lakes.

In fact, the lake around Tobermory and along the peninsula is littered with shipwrecks which attract divers and glass bottom boats to explore and see.

FlowerPot Island and Shipwrecks

One of the most favorite, if not famous spots on the Bruce Peninsula are the tours to Flowerpot Island and to view the underwater shipwrecks in the crystal clear waters of Georgian Bay.