Heron Bay to Thunder Bay by water

Today I helped crew the Melissa June on a run across the north shore. We set out at first light and covered 233 km in six hours and 11 minutes. The 30 foot aluminum catamaran provided a smooth ride over one meter swells at an average speed of 34 km/h. We saw a handful of Herring Gulls and eight Black Scoters but otherwise, very little wildlife.

Here's our GPS track - zoom in to get a sense of how rugged and interesting the coastline is. I look forward to doing this trip (in August!) by kayak.

View T-Bay Trip in a larger map

Our course took us past several light houses - Slate Islands, Porphyry Point and Trowbridge Island Light.

Slate Islands Light

Trowbridge Island Light

The most memorable aspect of the trip was viewing the always impressive Sibley Peninsula and Sleeping Giant from the water.

Approaching the Sibley Peninsula from the east

Thunder Cape Bird Observatory

Sheer west face of the Sleeping Giant

Many thanks to Keith and Melissa McCuaig for having me along.

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Related links:

• Lighthouses of western Ontario  
• McCuaig Marine Services
• Profile of the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area from Superior Outdoors magazine.
• Sleeping Giant Provincial Park
• Thunder Cape Bird Observatory