Sea Kayak - Killarney Provencial Park and Philip Edward Island in Georgian Bay, Ontario Canada

Trip

Sea Kayak - Killarney Provencial Park and Philip Edward Island in Georgian Bay, Ontario Canada

Join in on an 8 day paddle along the northern coast of Georgian Bay in Lake Huron; ircumnavigating Philip Edward Island, and venturing into French River Provincial Park. Georgian Bay is the world's largest freshwater archipelago with thousands of glacial carved granite and quartz islands to camp on. This crystal-clean freshwater bay is a paddler's and swimmer's delight in the summer.

  • Sun, Aug 31, 2025 — Tue, Sep 9, 2025
  • Seattle Sea Kayaking
  • Sea Kayaking
  • Adults
  • Sea Kayak III+
  • Moderate
  • Mileage: 80.0 nm
  • Maximum Wind: 15 kts
  • Maximum Waves: 2.5 ft
  • Pace: 2.5

If you would like to join in this excellent adventure please read on to get a better idea of the trip that may make for a compatible team.  Then email me and let me know about you and why you would like to join this trip.
Killarney Outfitters - Sea Kayaking on Georgian Bay

Schedule

  • 8/30 Saturday – arrive in Toronto and spend the night in a hotel/BnB
  • 8/31 Sunday – drive in shared car rental to camp at George Lake Campground (4-hour drive). Have time for an afternoon hike, shopping for last-minute supplies, and dinner in Killarney.
  • 9/1 (Monday)- meet Killarney Outfitters at Chikanishing Creek, put in with rental boats. Pack boats and head out into the bay.
  • 9/9 (Tuesday) – return to put-in (returning boats), pack the car, and drive to Toronto Airport.
  • OPTIONS: Spend the night of 9/9 in Niagara Falls on the Canadian side with the leader (1.5 hour drive from the airport). Return to the airport on 9/10 for departing flights.

 Route
Our route will primarily be dictated by the wind forecast. This area is known for strong west winds that may start to pick up in Sept. and necessitate avoiding open water crossings at times to the outer island group of The Foxes, Hawk Island, or rounding Point Grondine.
Our preliminary Route – approximately 80NM

Expenses:  minimum of $1600

Individual:
Airfare from Seattle to Toronto- Direct flights with luggage on Alaska or Canadian Air approximately $650.
Transportation from the Airport to first night lodging.
Food – both eating out and all camping food on trip.
Kayak rental with Killarney Outfitters. ($625CA = 9 days of kayak rental at $68/day and a $10 fee delivery fee)
Killarney Outfitters, Killarney Provincial Park canoe and sea kayak rentals.

Shared:
Cost of lodging Sat. 8/30
Car rental 8/31 – 9/8 or 9/9 and gas cost. Approx. $200 per person
Camping fees at Lake George
Parking fees at put-in. $15.50CA per day per vehicle, approx. $50 per person
Cost of lodging Tues. 9/9 if opt to go to Niagara Falls.

Goals

  • Paddle around Philip Edward Island and into French River Provincial Park. Take time to explore the coastline
  • Be safe and practice group decision making.
  • Enjoy each other’s company and being out there, whatever conditions we encounter.

Expectations

  • Think about and express your goals, expectations, and style. Abide by decisions made by the group or by the leader 
  • Have the skills and fitness required for this trip
  • Please make your own rental and flight reservations to meet our trip schedule.
  • Work as a team member to help the group be happy and accomplish our goals 
  • Share responsibility for risk management, recognizing when conditions warrant re-assessment. Don't take risks that other group members do not support 

Participant Skills

  • Endurance to paddle 12nm days in sequence at a pace of 2.5kt.
  • Ability to paddle into 15-knot winds, land, and launch through 2ft surf and on slippery rocks.
  • Quick, efficient buddy rescue.
  • Camp skills:  stoves, filters, tarp/bug tent, food storage.
  • Able to camp in wet, windy conditions.

Personal Equipment

  • Bring and/or rent your own camping and boating gear - we will have a pre-trip planning meeting to identify group gear, schedules and logistics.
  • Supply and cook all your food. We could plan group meals if in agreement.
  • Average water temps are 60-70 degrees so a drysuit is not required.
  • A self-supporting tent is required: as pitching on rock surfaces.

Style

  • Most days are moving days and start early, however, since happiness depends on a leisurely breakfast, we don’t rush to launch. Plan 1-2 layover days to avoid having to pack camp when able.
  • Off the water early enough (4 pm) to have unrushed time for camp chores and relaxation
  • Sit together for dinner as a time to reflect and discuss

 August 31st, 2025 - approximately 9am in Toronto Onterio to Drive to Killarney Onterio.

See the schedule in leader's notes.

Route/Place

Killarney Provencial Park and Philip Edward Island in Georgian Bay, Ontario Canada


Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

These eight essentials plus The Ten Essentials are required on all sea kayaking trips.  All but the whistle and clothing should be provided with any kayak rental.

  1. Floatation in both ends of the kayak
  2. U.S. Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
  3. Paddle
  4. Spray skirt
  5. Bilge pump with floatation
  6. Self-rescue paddle float
  7. Waterproof whistle
  8. Appropriate clothing for the conditions encountered seasonally
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