Flowerpot Island in a Day: Your Essential Guide to Hiking, Shipwrecks, and the ‘Pack It In, Pack It Out’ Rule
When you close your eyes and picture the quintessential Canadian summer, you likely imagine rugged limestone cliffs, windswept Cedars, and water so clear and turquoise it looks like it belongs in the Caribbean. You are picturing the Bruce Peninsula and Flowerpot Island.
For guests staying with us at Miller’s Family Camp, this breathtaking scenery is your backyard. While our quiet cottages and treed campsites on Miller Lake offer the perfect sanctuary for relaxation, we know that the adventurer in you is itching to explore. And there is no adventure more iconic in this region than a day trip to Flowerpot Island.
Located just off the coast of Tobermory within the Fathom Five National Marine Park, Flowerpot Island is a place of ancient geology and maritime history. It is a “bucket list” destination for a reason. However, visiting an island nature preserve requires more planning than a typical walk in the park. From ferry schedules to waste management, a little preparation goes a long way.
Whether you are a seasoned hiker or a family with young children, this is your comprehensive, step-by-step guide to mastering Flowerpot Island—and ensuring you leave it as beautiful as you found it.
Part 1: The Logistics – Getting There is Half the Fun
Flowerpot Island is accessible only by boat, and for most visitors, this means taking a tour from Little Tub Harbour in downtown Tobermory. Tobermory is a short, scenic drive north from Miller’s Family Camp (about 20-30 minutes), making us the perfect “basecamp” for your expedition.
Booking Your Passage
In the peak summer months (July and August), Tobermory is bustling. The ferries to the island are incredibly popular and often sell out days in advance. We cannot stress this enough: book your tickets online before you arrive.
There are two main private boat operators that ferry passengers to the island: Blue Heron Cruises and Bruce Anchor Cruises. Both offer excellent service and typically provide a “drop-off” option where you can spend a few hours on the island before catching a return boat.
The Glass-Bottom Experience
The ferry ride isn’t just a taxi service; it is the first chapter of your adventure. As you leave the harbour, most captains will navigate through Big Tub Harbour to give you a glimpse of the area’s maritime history.
This is where the glass-bottom boats truly shine. Fathom Five is Canada’s first National Marine Park, established largely to protect the sunken history lying on the lakebed. As you peer through the glass, the dark shapes of 19th-century schooners appear out of the deep blue.
You will likely see the Sweepstakes, a two-masted schooner that was damaged in 1885 and towed into the harbour, where it sank. Today, its hull is incredibly well-preserved, visible just a few feet below the surface. Seeing the skeletal “ribs” of the ship through the crystal-clear water is a hauntingly beautiful experience that fascinates kids and adults alike.
Part 2: Hiking the Island – Giants of Stone
Once the ferry docks at Beachy Cove, you step off onto the island. The air here feels different—fresher, cooler, and scented with cedar and spruce. Now, it’s time to move.
The island features well-marked trails, but it’s important to know what you’re getting into. The terrain is rugged, rocky, and uneven. This is not the place for flip-flops or slide sandals. We highly recommend sturdy running shoes or hiking boots to protect your ankles.
The Loop Trail and The Flowerpots
The most popular route is the Loop Trail. This path takes you eastward along the shoreline toward the island’s namesakes: the “flowerpots.”
These natural sea stacks are geological wonders. Formed over centuries, they are the result of waves, wind, and rain eroding the soft limestone cliffs. Originally, these pillars were part of the cliff face, but as the rock eroded, they were separated, leaving behind these solitary giants.
- The Small Flowerpot: This is the first one you will encounter. It’s a great warm-up for your camera skills.
- The Large Flowerpot: Further down the trail stands the Large Flowerpot. It is massive, imposing, and truly photogenic. You can walk around the base (carefully!) to appreciate the scale of these formations.
Note for parents: While the main trail to the flowerpots is well-trodden, there are stairs and wooden platforms that can be steep. Take your time, and keep a close eye on little ones near the water’s edge, as the rocks can be slippery.
The Cave
If you are up for a short detour, look for signs pointing to the cave. Located up a steep set of stairs near the flowerpots, this natural cavern is carved high into the cliffside. It offers a cool respite on a hot day and a unique vantage point of the bay. It’s a bit of a climb, but the view is worth the effort.
Part 3: The Historic Light Station
If you continue hiking past the Large Flowerpot, the trail leads you to the Flowerpot Island Light Station. This is a spot where history comes alive.
Originally established in 1897 to guide ships through the treacherous waters where Lake Huron meets Georgian Bay, the original lighthouse was eventually replaced by a steel tower, but the keeper’s home remains. Today, the site is maintained by the Friends of the Bruce District Parks, a dedicated group of volunteers.
The Light Station is the perfect halfway point for your day. There is a viewing deck that offers panoramic views of the endless blue water. It’s an ideal spot to sit, catch your breath, and eat your packed lunch.
Pro Tip: The volunteers often sell cold drinks and light snacks at the Light Station (cash is usually king here), but supplies are limited and dependent on volunteer availability. Never rely on this as your sole source of food or water.
Part 4: The Golden Rule – “Pack It In, Pack It Out”
This section is perhaps the most important part of this guide.
Flowerpot Island is a delicate ecosystem. It is home to rare orchids, ferns, and wildlife that struggle to survive in the harsh, rocky environment. To protect this beauty for future generations, Parks Canada enforces a strict “Pack It In, Pack It Out” policy.
What Does This Mean?
Simply put: There are no garbage cans on the island.
When you finish your granola bar, your juice box, or your apple, you cannot simply toss the wrapper in a bin. You must carry that trash with you for the duration of your hike and take it back on the boat to the mainland.
Why is this Necessary?
- Wildlife Protection: Garbage attracts animals. When wildlife becomes dependent on human scraps, it disrupts their natural diet and behavior, often leading to aggressive encounters.
- Logistics: The island is remote. Transporting thousands of pounds of tourist garbage off the island by boat every week would be an environmental and logistical nightmare.
- Preservation: The “Leave No Trace” philosophy ensures that the hiker coming five minutes behind you gets to experience the same pristine wilderness that you did, without seeing a plastic bottle wedged between the rocks.
How to Master “Pack It In, Pack It Out”
Being a responsible camper starts before you even leave your cottage at Miller’s.
- Minimize Packaging: Before you head to the ferry, unbox your snacks. Take granola bars out of the cardboard boxes. Transfer chips or sandwiches into reusable Tupperware or beeswax wraps. This reduces the amount of loose plastic you have to manage on the trail.
- Bring a “Trash Bag”: Pack a large Ziploc bag or a specific “wet bag” in your backpack designated solely for trash. This keeps sticky wrappers or apple cores from making a mess of your gear.
- Plan Your Lunch: Choose foods that leave little waste. Whole fruits (like apples) are great, but remember—even biodegradable items like apple cores and banana peels take a long time to decompose in this rocky environment and look unsightly. Pack them out too!
For more detailed information on park rules, entry fees, and conservation efforts, we highly recommend visiting the official Parks Canada Fathom Five website. They provide the most up-to-date alerts regarding trail conditions and weather closures.
Part 5: The Ultimate Day-Trip Checklist
To make your Flowerpot Island excursion a success, having the right gear is essential. You don’t need to be an expert mountaineer, but you do need to be prepared for the elements.
Here is a checklist to review before you drive out of the Miller’s Family Camp gates:
- Water, Water, Water: There is no treated tap water available on the island. On a hot July day, dehydration sets in fast. We recommend at least 1.5 to 2 litres of water per person.
- Sun Protection: The sun reflects off the white limestone and the water, intensifying the UV rays. Bring a hat, sunglasses, and plenty of sunscreen.
- Layers: The temperature on the water is often 5-10 degrees cooler than on land. Bring a light windbreaker or hoodie for the boat ride, even if it looks sweltering outside.
- Swim Gear: If you plan on taking a dip near the docks or at a designated spot, wear your swimsuit under your clothes. The water is refreshing (read: cold!), but incredibly invigorating.
- Camera: You will regret it if you leave this behind. The contrast of the grey rock, green trees, and blue water is a photographer’s dream.
- First Aid Kit: A small kit with band-aids and blister pads is a “better safe than sorry” addition to your pack.
For even more ideas on what to do in the area, including local eateries in Tobermory to hit after your hike, check out the resources at Visit The Bruce, the official tourism site for our beautiful county.
Return to Comfort at Miller’s Family Camp
After four or five hours of hiking, climbing stairs, and soaking up the sun, you are going to be happily exhausted. This is the moment when staying at Miller’s Family Camp truly pays off.
Instead of facing a long drive home to the city in traffic, you are just minutes away from your sanctuary. You can head back to your cottage, kick off those hiking boots, and rinse off the day in a hot shower.
Picture this: The sun is setting over Miller Lake. You have a fire crackling in the pit. You’re roasting a hot dog or sipping a cold drink, recounting the day’s adventure with your family. “Did you see that shipwreck?” “Can you believe how big that flowerpot rock was?”
These are the moments that summer memories are built on. We provide the setting; you provide the adventure.
If you haven’t booked your summer getaway yet, don’t wait. The Bruce Peninsula is calling. View our Cottage Rentals and check availability here. Whether you need a cozy spot for two or a larger cottage for the whole crew, we have the perfect place for you to rest your head after exploring the wonders of Fathom Five.
See you on the trails!
