Ferry
The current ferry service descends from a long line of ships that plied the waters between the Tobermory Islands. Sail came first but by the turn of the century steamships ruled and a web of routes stretched across the bay. By 1930 the Owen Sound Transportation Company had begun a regular ferry service between Tobermory and South Baymouth. The company was already operating boats between Owen Sound and Sault Ste. Marie. In the days before roads, Georgian Bay was the region's 'highway', and steamers were the fastest mode of travel.
The first ferry, The Kagawong, could only carry eight cars, but tourists came to take the ferry. In 1945, the Caribou and the Normac were used on the Tobermory South Baymouth route. In 1947, the Norisle replaced the Caribou. By 1963, the Norgoma was moved to the Tobermory-South Baymouth run, with the Normac only used occasionally to aid the Norisle. The Ontario Government took over operation of the ferry service in 1972, and in 1974 the Chi-Cheemaun a faster, larger ferry was put into service. The name Chi-Cheemaun means `Big Canoe' in the Ojibwa language. The Chi-Cheemaun is 105m long, 10m wide, has a crew of 36 and carries 638 passengers. Navigation is aided by radar and a satellite positioning system. This is a far cry from the days when fog bound captains would locate land by the smell of balsam fir and cedar trees.
DEPART
TOBERMORY |
ARRIVE
SOUTH BAYMOUTH |
DEPART
SOUTH BAYMOUTH |
ARRIVE
TOBERMORY |
| 8:50 am daily |
10:50 am |
11:10 am daily |
1:10 pm |
| 1:30 pm daily |
3:30 pm |
3:50 pm daily |
5:50 pm |
| 6:10 pm Fri. only |
7:55 pm |
8:15 pm Fri. only |
10:00 pm |
Reservations available on all Spring and Fall Sailings.
ADDITIONAL HOLIDAY MONDAY SAILINGS
VICTORIA: MAY 18 & THANKSGIVING: OCT. 12
DEPART
TOBERMORY |
ARRIVE
SOUTH BAYMOUTH |
DEPART
SOUTH BAYMOUTH |
ARRIVE
TOBERMORY |
| 6:10 pm |
7:55 pm |
8:15 pm |
10:00 pm |
Reservations available on ALL Additional Sailings. JUNE 26 - SEPT. 7 INCL.
DEPART
TOBERMORY |
ARRIVE
SOUTH BAYMOUTH |
DEPART
SOUTH BAYMOUTH |
ARRIVE
TOBERMORY |
| 7:00 am |
8:45 am |
9:10 am |
10:55 am |
| 11:20 am* |
1:05 pm |
1:30 pm* |
3:15 pm |
| 3:40 pm* |
5:25 pm |
5:50 pm* |
7:35 pm |
| 8:00 pm |
9:45 pm |
10:00 pm |
11:45 pm |
RESERVATIONS AVAILABLE ON FIRST AND LAST SAILINGS *PRIORITY PASSAGE Limited reservations on middle summer sailingsVehicle size restrictions and non refundable surcharge applies. Call 1 800 265 3163 for details
Crossing time is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.Note: this information is provided as an additional service only - more information including prices can be found at http://www.chicheemaun.com/chi/english/schedule_fares.html
All schedules subject to change without notice. CALL FOR INFORMATION
Owen Sound Transportation Company
Owen Sound, Ontario (519) 376-6601 Tobermory Terminal (519) 596-2510
South Baymouth Terminal (705) 859-3161
English 1-800-265-3163 - French 1-800-461-2621
http://www.chicheemaun.com/chi/english/index.shtml
