Sea Kayaking Georgian Bay in Ontario, Canada
7-minute read + 18-minute video
At 80% the size of Lake Ontario, some people think Georgian Bay should be considered the sixth Great Lake. This Canadian offshoot of Lake Huron makes a wonderful paddling destination for novice and experienced sea kayakers alike.
The massive bay stretches 120 miles long and 50 miles wide (190 km by 90 km). Its main connection to the east side of Lake Huron is through a 15.5-mile channel (25 km). It lies completely within the Canadian province of Ontario.
Aqua Bound Ambassador Ken Whiting calls these waters “a paddler’s paradise with over 30,000 islands, crystal-clear waters, rugged Canadian Shield and unpredictable weather.”
He embarked on a 5-day sea kayaking expedition in Georgian Bay in 2025 and produced three different videos to tell us about this world-class destination.
The one we’ll look at here is on Paddle TV’s channel. Ken calls it a video “guidebook” that gives you a complete overview of sea kayaking Georgian Bay:
What Type of Paddling is Suitable for Georgian Bay?
The best section for kayaking in the Bay is the 80-mile stretch (120 km) between Killarney in the north and Perry Sound in the east. What makes it so incredible for paddling is the multitude of islands that lie in this stretch of water, just off Ontario’s mainland:
The majority of Georgian Bay’s 30,000 islands lie in this stretch, including Philip Edward Island in the north, the islands of French River Provincial Park in the middle, and Shawanaga and Franklin Islands further south.
You can take half-day or day trips along the coast out to some of the inner islands. Or choose a multi-day trip among a series of them. Whether you opt for an out-and-back experience or from Point A to Point B with a shuttle service, you’ll have a great trip.
There are several areas to launch along the mainland, so planning a multi-day trip between a couple of those is a very doable idea.
What Makes Georgian Bay Unique?
What makes this place truly unique as a sea kayak destination is the thousands of islands that protect from the wind and waves found in the open water.
“The islands make Georgian Bay accessible to not only highly-experienced paddlers who can handle those conditions, but entry-level paddlers who can stay in the protection of the islands,” says Ken.
While there may be open channels you’ll have to cross for short distances, you can choose a route that’s mostly sheltered.
The islands also have incredible camping opportunities. Much of the coastline is “Crown Land” where anyone can camp freely. Provincial Parks like French River Waterway Provincial Park have designated campsites that you must reserve and pay for ahead of time. (Some of the islands are privately owned and off-limits to public camping.)
What type of Paddle Craft Is Best?
Sea kayaks or touring kayaks are definitely the best option for Georgian Bay. While canoes work well for experienced paddlers, they don’t handle wind and waves as easily as kayaks do.
These kayaks are ideal because they have watertight bulkheads, several storage compartments, are long and narrow and so suited for rough water, and are designed to be used with a paddle skirt to keep water out of the cockpit.
And since there’s no portaging necessary, you can fully load your sea kayak with any gear you need, whether you’re out for the day or for several days.
How Experienced do Paddlers Need to Be?
As we already mentioned, all the islands provide some protection from the waves. So almost any paddler can enjoy kayaking these waters. Beginning and less-experienced paddlers, though, need to stay in the most protected areas where the wind and waves are lessened.
These areas include the waters along the mainland, where the many islands shield these channels from the open bay.
A super option for novice paddlers is to take a guided trip from an outfitter on the bay. Ken lists several in his video description.
Experienced kayakers have more options. Anyone who has the skills to take on rough water—and is comfortable doing rescues in rough water—can freely explore the outer islands and make the bigger crossings between them.
Overnight Kayaking Options
If you want to go out overnight, you can plan anything from one night to a couple of weeks. Ken says, “The joy of Georgian Bay is that it’s all stunning within this 120-kilometer section,” so paddlers will be spread out throughout the area.
Plan a Point A to Point B route by making a reservation with a local shuttle service. (TIP: You’ll want to make this reservation well in advance if you’re going in the busy summer season.) Or if you’d rather not bother with that, an out-and-back route from one of the several launches is just as beautiful.
If your route will have you camping in Provincial Park land, be sure to reserve your site(s) ahead of time. You can consult Ontario’s Crown Land Use Policy Atlas for information about camping on the many islands available for free.
Camping Tips on Georgian Bay
Georgian Bay sits on part of the Canadian Shield, with the islands being primarily composed of smooth granite rock with a few windswept pine trees. So be prepared to camp on rock.
Bring a thick sleeping pad (Ken likes his 4-inch pad) and don’t count on using tent pegs to secure your tent. Guylines tied to rocks are more reliable there (and there will be plenty of rocks to be found).
The public lands will not have a toileting area, so bring a trowel to dig the necessary catholes. You’ll want to be at least 200 feet from the water and in very low-traffic areas to do your business.
There are many different fish species in these waters. If you want to fish during your trip, you’ll need an Ontario fishing license.
The Best Time of Year to Sea Kayak Georgian Bay
It’s possible to kayak from ice-out in late April to ice-in in late November. But the best time for most paddlers is late June, July and August. The air temperatures are the warmest, the water temperature is at its warmest of the year, and you can generally expect lighter winds.
Only experienced paddlers with the right gear should venture out during the shoulder months. Colder temperatures, a higher chance of storms and frigid water can make it very dangerous.
Safety Concerns & Hazards
The biggest hazards in Georgian Bay for sea kayakers are wind and waves, and the cold water.
Winds can pick up at a moment’s notice and quickly create significant waves. Even day trippers need to be prepared to spend the night on an island in case they’re forced off the water by sudden, dangerous conditions. Multi-day trippers need to be prepared for down days, when it’s too risky to paddle.
Have First Aid gear, extra food, a change of dry clothing, fire starting materials, and other items you might need in case you have to hunker down for a while.
The other major hazard is the water temperature. At its warmest—end of July into August—the water in the bay can reach 68-69º F (18-19º C), which is NOT warm. The rest of the time, it’s significantly colder.
Any kayaker, from novice to expert, needs to be prepared with gear to comfortably survive a capsize and swim to shore. No one but very confident and skilled paddlers should be out there alone.
One more small concern to be aware of: There are, apparently, rattlesnakes in that area, especially on the southern side. Ken mentions he’s never seen one himself and they’re not common, but it’s a possibility. If you’re landing on a cool, sunny day, keep your eyes out for any that may be sunning themselves on warm rock surfaces.
If you’d like to see more about paddling in this magnificent area, be sure to watch Ken’s full kayaking adventure on Georgian Bay on his Ken Whiting Adventures channel.
It’s in two parts, with a total watch time of just over an hour-and-a-half. It covers what he experienced during his 5-day solo trip, including some rough water and wild storms:
Subscribe to both YouTube channels: Paddle TV and Ken Whiting Adventures to see more great paddling content from Ken.
All photos courtesy of Ken Whiting and Paddle TV.
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