The Great Lakes Province
Ontario is home to four of the five Great Lakes: Lakes Superior, Huron, Erie and Ontario. Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world, while Manitoulin Island, sacred to Aboriginal peoples, is the largest freshwater island in the world with an area of 2,766 km2. Flowing through the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River, rivers in southern Ontario drain into the Atlantic, while those in northern Ontario drain into James and Hudson bays. At the crossroads of Ontario's three major rivers (Gatineau, Rideau and Ottawa) lies Ottawa, Canada's national capital, while the provincial capital, Toronto, faces Lake Ontario.
The offer is particularly rich to take full advantage of the Great Lakes on the Ontario side with, at the top of the list, kilometres of fine sandy beaches around them. Cruise lines are also numerous during the summer, such as Mariposa Cruises based in Toronto's Harbourfront, Port Dover Sailing School and its sailing excursions on Lake Erie, or the M.V. Chippewa III, which winds its way through the 30,000 islands of Georgian Bay. The province also benefits from a ferry network that includes ferries across Lake Erie to Ohio in the United States and access to Manitoulin Island in the middle of Georgian Bay from the Bruce Peninsula. It is off this peninsula that you will find one of the most coveted diving sites in the country: Fathom Five National Marine Park with its 20 or so historic wrecks, cliffs and caves.Great falls
They attract millions of visitors every year, who come to marvel at their great beauty. Of course, we're talking about the famous Niagara Falls, a legacy of the last ice age and one of the country's best-known natural wonders. They are composed of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls (54 metres high and 670 metres wide) and the American Falls (59 metres high and 260 metres wide). These may not be the highest falls in the world, but their flow rate is quite impressive: 2 832m3/s. To get a closer look at this force of nature, Hornblower Niagara Cruises catamarans offer river tours to the foot of the falls. The little red poncho is provided but showering is a must. For those without a sea legs, it is possible to see the falls from another angle with Journey Behind the Falls. Corridors carved into the bedrock lead to the reverse side of the scenery, directly behind the falls. The experience is quite breathtaking! A few kilometres downstream from the falls, another natural phenomenon draws crowds: the Whirlpool Rapids. Because of the huge volume of water flowing over the falls and the narrow passage of Great Gorge into the Niagara River, the water creates a vortex or whirlpool before continuing on to Lake Ontario. This phenomenon can be seen from the top of the Whirlpool Aero Car, a cable car travelling back and forth over the rapids, or in the heart of the action aboard the powerful Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours, which offer 360-degree whitewater turns as a bonus.
Countless beaches
Ontario boasts some of the most beautiful freshwater beaches in the world, and with good reason. Between the Sandbanks Dunes, the small bays of Lake Huron, the Bruce Peninsula, Georgian Bay and the other Great Lakes, visitors can enjoy the joys of swimming in warm, crystal clear waters. As always, we'll leave you with our good tips.
In the eastern part of the province, bordering Lake Ontario, Sandbanks Provincial Park is known for its miles of dunes and warm waters. Toronto also enjoys beautiful beaches on this lake and they are everywhere, in urban versions on the Harbourfront, offshore in the islands, or in the famous The Beaches area. On the Lake Erie side, in the vicinity of Long Point Provincial Park, there are about 40 kilometres of sand on a barrier beach designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Point Pelee National Park, a popular spot for migratory bird and butterfly watching, also offers beautiful beaches and lush forest. Then there is Lake Huron, our favourite, with the beautiful Rotary Cove beach in Goderich or the Port Albert beach in a small, peaceful hamlet dedicated to vacationing. Not to be overlooked is Wasaga Beach Provincial Park, which has been named the longest freshwater beach in the world at 14 km along Georgian Bay. And for those who venture as far as Lake Superior, the Katherine Cove area of Lake Superior Provincial Park is recommended - don't miss the nearby Bathtub Island Natural Basin - as well as Neys Provincial Park for its beautiful white sand beach with turquoise waters.Natural wonders
While some enjoy a notoriety that extends beyond the country's borders, as is the case with Niagara Falls, others are only known to insiders. But all of these natural wonders are worth the trip, whether you're an active or contemplative type.
From the Niagara Peninsula through the Bruce Peninsula to Manitoulin and St. Joseph Islands, a long, steep rock face stretches some 725 km : this is the Niagara Escarpment, classified as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and accessible for hiking on the Bruce Trail linking Niagara to Tobermory. Near Tobermory are the spectacular limestone cliffs of the escarpment, the Grotto Coastal Cave with its blue water basin, and the Flowerpot Island monoliths offshore. Boat tours are available, including Blue Heron Cruises, to experience the beauty of the area. Because water is so important in Ontario, there are also many waterfalls, some of which are heavenly, such as Bridal Veil Falls on Manitoulin Island. But the highlight is the Agawa Canyon Tour Train ride through the Agawa Canyon, considered one of the most beautiful in North America.
