Historical Boat Tour to Chantry Island

Heed this, sea-farers: Chantry Island stands as haven for migratory birds guarded by Canadian Wildlife Services. To set foot upon its shores, ye must secure leave. The tour offered here is a prime course to gain such privilege.

The details:

• Inclement weather can be the cause for cancellation and reschedule and refund will be offered.

• Customer rescheduling or refund requires 24 hours notice.

• Guests should meet at the Tour Base 20 minutes before the scheduled tour.

• Children need a ticket and must be 4 feet and accompanied by an adult.

• Tour is much like a medium hike and requires a degree of agility and fitness.

• Proper footwear such as running shoes or sandals with a heel strap.  No flip flops please.

• Pets are not permitted on the island due to its status as a bird sanctuary.

  About the Tour 

Tickets are available online or in-person at the Tour Base. The cost is $35.00 + HST per person. The multi-part tour consists of:

1. Enjoying a 20-minute ride to the island with 9 guests, 2 guides/crew, and 1 boat captain. On the way, you will learn about shipwrecks and the old ‘long dock’ as you sail 'the gap.

2. Docking at the island, where guests are split into two small groups which switch later.

3. Seeing the historically restored Light Keeper's Cottage, stroll through the gardens, and observe the birdlife.

4. Climbing 107 stairs to the very top of the lighthouse for amazing views. Ideal for picture taking!

5. Riding back for 20 minutes to the Tour Base, having experienced nautical history.

About Chantry Island

In the heart of the 19th century, the Great Lakes were bustling trade routes for mariners. As the number of sailing ships and steamers swelled, the treacherous waters claimed many a vessel, leading to 50 charted wrecks off Southampton’s rocky coast.

Heeding the mariners' plight for better bearings, the powers that be, set forth an order to erect the Chantry Island Lighthouse, a beacon completed on the 1st of April, 1859, to guide seafarers safely through the perilous shoals.

Rising 86 ft. above the lake's embrace, the grand tower itself stretches 80 ft. from keel to the light's heart. At its crown, a lantern room boasted a Fresnel lens, a marvel of craftsmanship ferried from Paris, France.

Originally, the beacon shone steadily, fueled by sperm whale oil, colza, coal oil, kerosene, and acetylene. Light Keepers stood the watch, tending the flame to guide mariners through many a stormy and windy night. These guardians, some with kin in tow, called the isle home from 1859 till 1954. With a link to electricity in 1954, the Light Keeper's watch ended. Their abode, nestled at the tower’s foot, withered under the assault of neglect, vandalism, and the tempestuous lake climes.

About the Bird Sanctuary

In 1957, the Canadian Wildlife Service proclaimed Chantry Island a Federal Migratory Bird Haven, shielding the winged voyagers and nesters calling the isle their berth. It's the broadest sanctuary of its kind between James Bay and Point Pelee.

Come the breeding spring, some fifty thousand birds, chicks amongst them, throng the isle. It's a cradle for crews of Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Herring Gull, Ring-billed Gull, and Double-crested Cormorant. Waterfowl like Mallard, American Black Duck, Gadwall, Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, and American Wigeon also anchor their broods there.

With its banner as a migratory bird haven, the island's guest tally per diem is strictly limitied. However, the MHS voyage offers a sterling passage to explore this sanctuary.                

Schedule 2024