Exploring Colpoys Bay and Wiarton

We love exploring Colpoys Bay – so much so, that we’ve done so about four times now.

Why, you may ask? Mostly because it’s a quiet area with cottages lining the shoreline, with a winding road that few people take.

It’s a GREAT drive, with a small parkette along the way, where we always like to stop for a picnic.

Add to the fact that it’s a very quiet spot with few tourists or tourist destinations, it’s the perfect place for a little drive.

A Bit About Colpoys Bay

Colpoys Bay is located on Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada.  The Bay is named after Sir John Colpoy who was an Admiral in the British Navy during the early 1800s. With its limestone cliffs rising on either side of the bay, the Niagara Escarpment reveals itself.

The remarkably clear blue waters of Georgian Bay are among the clearest in the Great Lakes with visibility reaching up to 20 meters. There are three islands at the entrance to Colpoys Bay – Griffith Island, Hay Island and Whitecloud Island.

Griffith Island is home to Griffiths Island Lighthouse. It is one of six Imperial Towers that were constructed around 1959. Commissioned in 1855 by the Board of Works who contracted a builder from Thorold, Ontario, this plan was to have eleven lighthouses and dwellings which would see the lighting of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay for shipping.

White Cloud is larger than nearby Griffith Island, and has a well-protected harbour in Kidd Bay. Anchorage in the bay is popular with local sailors. Land on the island is privately owned, mostly wooded.

Colpoys Bay’s water is super clear – you can see the rocks below. It’s a popular area for diving and exploring the shoreline.

| Related: Visiting Inglis Falls Near Owen Sound

Stopping in Wiarton

Before heading through Colpoys Bay, we always head to Wiarton first. This town is famous for Wiarton Willie, the famous prognosticator for Groundhog Day in Ontario.

Although the town is small, it’s what you’d think small-town Ontario would be. The main street is lined with small stores. There’s the LCBO that you can’t miss. And there’s a nice park by the shoreline with a statue of the town’s most famous resident – Wiarton Willie.

We always take a photo with Wiarton Willie and grab some food for a picnic lunch before heading to Colpoys Bay.

| Related: Exploring The Scenic Caves Near Collingwood, Ontario

Hiking Around the Colpoys Bay Areas

For hikers, the Bruce Trail runs right through this area on its way north to Tobermory or south to Owen Sound.

There are several Bruce County Conservation Areas that are located close by.  On our trip, we visited Colpoys Lookout Conservation Area and the Bruce’s Caves Conservation Area. I highly recommend checking this area out.

Check out these other sites for more information:

Explore the Bruce

Bruce Caves

Colpoys Lookout Conservation Area   –  UTM  17N  498292 E  4960802 N

Bruce’s Caves Conservation Area   –  UTM  17N  494064 E  4957404 N

PIN THIS