Georgian Bay’s Fox Bay area is worth a (cautious) visit

By Port Captain Steve Reinecke

Boating is a lot like playing a real-life adventure game — except the stakes are higher, and the scenery is far more breathtaking. With our GPS and electronic charts as our guiding tools, boaters can navigate vast waterways much like players exploring an open-world map.

A visit to the untrammeled Fox Bay region in Georgian Bay emphasizes that fact.

In Canada, we place our trust in the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS), which meticulously surveys our waterways, providing invaluable nautical charts with detailed depth data to keep us on course.

But what happens when the map ends? Imagine cruising along, the hum of the engine blending with the whisper of the wind, when suddenly, you approach a large expanse of uncharted waters. The surface is calm, the landscape untouched — pristine, mysterious, and inviting. Yet, beneath the shimmering blue, the unknown lurks. Hidden shoals? Submerged rocks? Or perhaps, the perfect anchorage waiting to be discovered?

How would you proceed? Would you cautiously edge forward, relying on your depth sounder and keen observation to chart your course? Would you drop anchor and launch a dinghy to scout the area more safely? Or would you mark the spot for future exploration, respecting the unknown, and erring on the side of caution?

Every boater, much like every explorer, must balance curiosity with prudence. The adventure lies in the choices we make, and the wisdom to know when to push forward and when to hold back.

For years, I’ve navigated the Small-Craft Route in the northeast section of Georgian Bay, always intrigued by the expanse of unsounded bays and islands between Dores Run and Obstacle Island. Despite my curiosity, a mix of scheduling and hesitation kept me from venturing into the area. That changed in 2015 when I stumbled upon a detailed Harbor Report on the Great Lakes Cruising Club (GLCC) website—GB-43.6 Fox Island Area. With that newfound resource, I finally decided to take on the challenge.

Just west of Fox Island lie three secluded and beautiful bays: Eastern Fox Bay, Western Fox Bay, and the narrow sliver of Otter Bay. Their entrances from the Small-Craft Channel are narrow, but once inside, they open up and extend nearly three miles northward.

This area remains largely uncharted, offering a true wilderness anchorage with only a single cottage in sight. It’s a rare gem—untouched, remote, and inviting for those seeking solitude on the water.

I’ve never relied heavily on paper charts and often compare boat navigation to playing a video game. This would be my first time navigating exclusively with a GLCC Harbor Report. The report was impressively detailed, filled with updated charts and photos contributed by GLCC members over the years.

So, in the summer of 2015, with the report in hand and three crew members keeping a sharp bow watch, I eased the boat into the three-mile channel of Fox Bay, just east of Vixen Island, ready to explore what lay ahead.

Was it a nerve-wracking experience? Absolutely. While the channel is deep for the most part, there are submerged rocks scattered throughout — thankfully well-marked in the report. I put my trust in its accuracy, and it didn’t disappoint.

We carefully navigated up the channel, weaving past islands, rocks, and shoals. At the end of the day, we dropped anchor at the far end of the bay with a gorgeous open view to the west. What a reward! The scenery was breathtaking and best of all, there wasn’t another soul in sight.

We spent the next day exploring the area by dinghy, weaving through miles of unsounded depths that, while left blank on our GPS, were thoroughly detailed in the Harbor Report. With rods in hand, we cast our lines and were rewarded with a fine catch — bass, northern pike, and walleye, all eager to bite.

         With a strong west wind in the forecast, we pulled anchor and nestled into a small, well-protected bay. One of the many advantages of this area is the abundance of anchorages, offering safe refuge no matter the wind or weather.

Since our first visit in 2015, we’ve returned every summer, and each time, we discover something new. In 2016, I created a video to promote the GLCC and highlight this anchorage. It has since garnered nearly 10,000 views. You can check it out here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR7vz9SU4p4

Unfortunately, the 2018 Parry Sound 33 forest fire left its mark on the east shore of Fox Bay, altering the landscape and leaving it in stark contrast to what once was. However, nature is slowly reclaiming the area, and over 80% of the region covered in the report remains untouched, preserving its rugged beauty and pristine wilderness.

I won’t go into every detail about this anchorage (where’s the fun in that?). Some things are best discovered first-hand. I leave it to you, my GLCC brothers, and sisters, to explore this incredible location for yourselves.

And if you happen to see me there, stop by. I might just mix you one of my famous martinis. Cheers!