Laughing Loon presents Paddling Trip Reveiws

East Fox Island sunset over Killareny. Paste these coordinates into Google Earth to find East Fox Island: 81 20' 40" W, 45 57' 30" N

Georgian Bay my favorite place to paddle!

Killarney section of Georgian Bay's 30,000 Islands

by Rob Macks

I always go back to the beautiful 30,000 Island region of Georgian Bay of Lake Huron.

We put in at the western end of Killarney Provincial Park near the town of Killarney.

Killarney is an hour and a half drive south and west of Sudbury.

Our access point to this northern and less populated area of the 30,000 Islands was at the west end of Killarney Provincial Park at the Chikanisshing River boat access. From there we headed east toward the Bustard Islands.

If the weather is heavy you can paddle the sheltered Collins Inlet Channel which runs for 10 miles behind Philip Edward Island before opening out into Beaverstone Bay and open Lake Huron.

We were lucky to have calm seas so we immediately headed out into the maze of islands on the outer coast of Philip Edward Island. If you think you know how to navigate, you will find out the truth quickly here.

Here's a GB trip from about 1994.

This is our gang for a on Georgian Bay.We launched from the west end of Killarney Provincial Park on July 20 th and returned on July 27 th. From left to right are Shin-Li, Ron, Joe, Sandy and Rob.

We had great August weather and paddled and camped anywhere we wished on all the public "Crown Land"

We paddled out a couple miles to this intriguing island called "Hawk" island on our maps.

The veiw on top of Hawk Island was grand!

Put these coordinates into Google Earth to find Hawk Island.

45 56' 22.56" N
81 19' 13.42" W

This is Champlain Island far to the east.

The rock shapes were sculpted by the last ice age and the range of colors and variety of types of rock are staggering.

The rest of these photos are from trips up to the present day.

Rocks and colors change from mile to mile.

This is truly a kayaker's paradise. So many islands so little time.

If you think you can navigate you'll find out for sure here or be lost!

This map represents just one small section of the 30,000 Islands!

Labarinths of passages galore

Any wonder I've paddled here for more than 25 years!

For more 30,000 Islands pictures see page 2

For information on paddling here check out:

Killarney Outfitters

White Squall Outfitters

Ontario Parks

Killarney Provincial Park

French River Provincial Park

For maps contact; The Map Store of Canada, 63 Adelaide E., Toronto, ON, 416-362-9297

For an overview of the area ask for map #L/C 2244, Alexander Passage to Beaverstone Bay. And map #L/C 2245 Alexander Passage to Manitoulin Island.

For large scale maps ask for Small Craft Chart #2204, Byng Inlet To Killarney.