The Best Guided Georgian Bay Kayak Trips

With over 30,000 islands, Georgian Bay has some of the best sea kayaking in the world.  

Paddle through the rugged windswept beauty that inspired the famous landscape paintings by the Group of Seven. Explore a mosaic of open water, sheltered bays and coastal wetlands. Camp on smooth Canadian Shield and enjoy spectacular sunrises and sunsets.   

In 2004, UNESCO designated 347,000 hectares along Georgian Bay’s eastern coast as a World Biosphere Reserve. The unique geography and geology of the area creates more than 1,000 distinct habitat types that support a variety of rare plant, mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibian species.

All this is yours to explore by sea kayak—but experience is necessary if you're going to go self-guided. The cold, open waters of Georgian Bay are best traversed by those with the right gear, ability to read the weather, and paddling skills to handle windy and wavy conditions with confidence. 

If you're just starting out—or want to be pampered—a guided sea kayaking trip on Georgian Bay is the way to go. Choose from guided day or multiday camping trips, and get the expert instruction of the guides and all gear and food provided.

Read on to learn about the best guided kayak trips on Georgian Bay.

If You Have 1 to 2 Days

Location: Near Parry Sound
Trip: Guided Georgian Bay Kayak Day Trips
Length: Day Trip (10am to 4pm)
Adventure Provider: Ontario Sea Kayak Centre 
Skill Level: Beginner to Experienced
Dates: Daily mid-May to September
Why You’ll Love It: Ontario Sea Kayak Centre offers six launch points and areas to explore on their guided Georgian Bay kayak trips. They include equipment rental (kayak, safety gear, paddles and skirts) and an experienced, certified kayak guide who will show you the beauty of the area. The Georgian Bay kayak trips can accommodate groups up to six people with one guide. Stay on-site in a cozy glamping tent.
How To Do This Trip: Book online or call 1-905-399-1216.

If You Have 3 to 5 Days

Location: Killbear Provincial Park 
Trip: Guided Georgian Bay Getaway or Women Only Getaway
Length: 3 days, 2 nights
Adventure Provider: Black Feather 
Skill Level: 1 (Beginner)
Dates: Various dates in July and August 
Why You’ll Love It: This fully outfitted Georgian Bay kayak trip is an ideal introduction to kayak touring. It’s designed to provide you with basic paddling, safety, rescue, navigation, touring and kayak camping techniques while enjoying a relaxed wilderness holiday. A women-only version of the trip is also available.
How to Do This Trip: Book online or call 1-888-849-7668

Location: Snug Harbour/Britt
Trip: 30,000 Islands of Georgian Bay Guided Kayak Trip
Length: 3 days, 2 nights or 5 days, 4 nights
Adventure Provider: Wilderness Adventures
Skill Level: Beginner to Experienced
Dates: Various dates through June, July and August 
Why You’ll Love It: This wilderness odyssey will be the highlight of your summer vacation. Enjoy a fully outfitted trip led by Professional ORKCA certified guides who will teach you basic or advanced kayak handling and paddling skills for flatwater kayak travel plus wilderness camping techniques. Enjoy the magnificent scenery, swim, fish and relax. Transportation from Toronto can be included.
How to Do This Trip: Book online or call 1-866-383-9453

Location: Britt
Trip: Britt to Hartley Bay Guided Kayak Trip
Length: 5 days, 4 nights
Adventure Provider: Black Feather
Skill Level: 2 (adventurous beginners and experienced paddlers)
Dates: July
Why You’ll Love It: Starting on the lower Magnetawan River, you’ll paddle in sheltered channels then cross an open area to the Bustard Islands. Enjoy camping on scenic sites, great food and incredible sunsets. This fully outfitted trip finishes by heading up the Lower French River to Hartley Bay. 
How to Do This Trip: Book online or call 1-888-849-7668

Location: Near Parry Sound
Trip: Women Only Guided Kayak Yoga Trip
Length: 5 days, 4 nights
Adventure Provider: Wild Women Expeditions
Skill Level: Beginner to Experienced
Dates: July and August
Why You’ll Love It: By the end of this fully outfitted adventure you will feel rejuvenated, revitalized and confident with the basics of kayak tripping. Enjoy paddling and practicing yoga surrounded by the rugged beauty of granite islands and windswept pines. 
How to Book This Trip: Book online or call 1-888-993-1222.

Location: Hartley Bay
Trip: Lower French River to Georgian Bay Guided Kayak Trip
Length: 5 days, 4 nights
Adventure Provider: Black Feather
Skill Level: 2 (adventurous beginners and experienced paddlers)
Dates: August
Why You’ll Love It: Starting at Hartley By, you’ll paddle down the old Voyageur Channel to Georgian Bay and into the 30,000 Islands. Kayak the open crossing to the Bustard Islands, a few kilometres off shore. Camp on beautiful islands, enjoy delicious meals and world-class paddling.
How to Do This Trip: Book online or call 1-888-849-7668

If You Have 6+ Days  

Location: Georgian Bay Islands
Trip: Georgian Bay Islands Guided Kayak Trip
Length: 7 days, 6 nights
Adventure Provider: Black Feather
Skill Level: 2 (adventurous beginners and experienced paddlers)
Dates: Various dates in July and August
Why You’ll Love It: The 30,000 islands make Georgian Bay a kayaker’s paradise. This fully outfitted kayak trip begins with a short skills clinic and several hours of paddling down a sheltered river to the bay. Camp on deserted islands, enjoy spectacular sunsets, swimming and delicious meals. Paddle from Key River to the quaint village of Killarney.  How to Book This Trip: Book online or call 1-888-849-7668

Georgian Bay Kayak Rentals

Killarney Outfitters, located in Killarney, provides full outfitting (kayaks, PFDs, paddle, safety kit, camping equipment, navigation, meals, cooking equipment, utility and hygiene products) services for Georgian Bay kayak trips. 

Swift Outdoor Centre - Georgian Bay is located on Hwy 400 north, Waubaushene. It offers kayak rentals for Georgian Bay kayaking trips. 

Key Harbour Lodge in Britt, can arrange for kayak rentals for you. It is an excellent location to explore Georgian Bay by kayak. 

WHILE YOU’RE THERE

• Just an hour north of Parry Sound, the French River Visitor Centre, located in French River Provincial Park, tells the story of Canada’s first heritage river—a key travelling route for Indigenous peoples and early explorers.
• Fly, Hike & Dine with Georgian Bay Airways or other sightseeing flights
• Be sure to stop by the French River Trading Post for hand-crafted Canadian moccasins, carvings and other must-haves.

 

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