Sign in with Facebook"KimberlyAnn's Thunder Bay Page" Top 5 Page for this destination Thunder Bay by KimberlyAnn
Thunder Bay Travel Guide: 238 reviews and 327 photos
I have visited Thunder Bay in the summers of 1995, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2009, using it as a port of entry before sailing on down the wilderness island strewn coast of Ontario. This city is a metropolis of about 114,000 full of multicultural events, shopping centers, restaurants, biking/walking trails, and acres of in the city limits parks. It sits on Lake Superior’s huge Thunder Bay across which you can see the Sleeping Giant Mountain. With a little imagine you can see the outline of a figure lying down against the skyline.
If you have never visited Lake Superior or do not live in Canada or the United States you may be unfamiliar with the large size of this lake. The word lake usually brings to mind the picture of a body of water that you can look across, viewing its far shore. Lake Superior, the largest fresh water lake in the world does not fit this picture. Superior borders Canada and the United States, and if you were crossing the middle of Superior in a boat you would find yourself far enough from land that your horizons would be water in all directions.
Below are some facts to help you understand the size of Lake Superior:
Width: 160 miles/259 km
Depth: 489 ft./149 m average with the maximum depth being 1,335 ft./407
Water Surface Area 31,700 miles squared/82,100 km squared
Volume: 2,934 miles cubed/12,230 km cubed
Average Water Temperature: 40 degrees Fahrenheit/4.4 degrees Celsius
If you were to drive the "Circle Tour" of Lake Superior you would drive 1,300 miles.
When we visited Thunder Bay in 2003 we discovered a new business had opened up the year before. If you are an experienced sailor and would like to bareboat out of Thunder Bay visit this web site: www.sailsuperior.com Whether you plan to bareboat or sail your own boat on Superior along with a good set of charts I would highly recommend that you purchase the book that so many Superior sailors call the "Bible". I do not remember what we paid for our copy of this book, but whatever the cost it is well worth every penny. We are on our second copy, having purchased the latest edition and passing our old book on to a friend. The title of the book is Superior Way by Bonnie Dahl. This cruising guide for Lake Superior can be purchased through Lake Superior Port Cities Inc., P.O. Box 16417, Duluth, MN 55816. Phone 1-888-244-5253. Email address: guide@lakesuperor.com This book will describe the marinas as well as the hidden coves and harbors along the lake that you may otherwise miss. You can travel to these areas with confidence using her personal and detailed knowledge of the lake. She and her husband, Ron, have sailed Lake Superior for more than 25 years and have visited and tested every area of the Lake. Included are GPS waypoints, harbor passages, marinas, anchorages, and diagrams to help you find these locations. Often depths and lake bottom conditions are included for the anchorages. Warnings about the locations of many shoals and underwater hazards may be found in her text, as well as marked on her diagrams. In some cases interesting historical information is included as well as hidden hiking trails and other places to explore from the anchorages. Don't sail Lake Superior without this book!
For a virtual sail out of Thunder Bay, visit my Sailing out of Thunder Bay, Canada. video.
- In a nutshell:Friendly people, history, and a nice setting make this a fun city to visit.
Reviews (14)
Exploring Ontario's Wilderness
Off The Beaten Path
(3)
The coast of Ontario east of Thunder Bay is filled with wilderness islands and shoreline. The only way to really explore... more travel advice
A Popular Restaurant With a Varied Menu
Restaurants
(4)
When we go to Thunder Bay we usually stay for two nights, and eat out both nights. We always eat at Armandos, and for... more travel advice
Provincial Park and the Lion
Off The Beaten Path
(3)
If you enjoy outdoor activities and have a car, drive to the tiny community of Silver Islet and Sleeping Giant... more travel advice
A Harbor or Dinner Cruise
Things to Do
(2)
Since we have our own boat when visiting Thunder Bay, I have not actually taken these tours, but I have watched them... more travel advice
Travelogues (4)
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Written Feb 8, 2009
8 photos
Sailing the Wilderness Islands of Ontario Part I
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Written Feb 8, 2009
8 photos
Sailing the Wilderness Islands of Ontario Part II
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Written Oct 27, 2007
8 photos
Sailing the Wilderness Islands of Ontario 2003
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Written Oct 27, 2007
6 photos
Sites Around the Marina Park Area of Thunder Bay
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Thunder Bay Travel Guide
Member Travel Pages
- "KimberlyAnn's Thunder Bay Page"
- "Home is Where the Heart Is"
- "The forgotten part of Ontario"
- "Welcome to Thunder Bay"
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- "Alphons new Thunder Bay /Ontario Page"
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Share Your TravelsLatest Activity in Thunder Bay
- updated a Thunder Bay Travel Page "KimberlyAnn's Thunder Bay Page"
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Comments (39)
Great that you keep going back to Thunder Bay. From your tips I can understand why. I've never (quite) been there, but when I was in high school we used to go canoeing in the Quetico-Superior Wilderness Area.
Thanks for your views on visiting Thunder Bay and its attractions. I hitch-hiked there from Atlantic Canada in 1970 and finally visited again on a cross-country car trip in 2009. It is indeed a beautiful part of Canada.
Anne, the last time I visited this tips was 5 years ago! Much added and I'm still so impressed with the tips, insights, and outstanding photographs.
Is there a picture out there of the Sibley Park Sea Lion with the head on?
The Hoito has the best clubhouse sandwich I've ever had! Also has great hamburgers.
I don't see the sea lion either LOL Interesting place. Thunder Bay. An evocative name. Better than e-bay.
You have great pictures in your travel logs This looks an interesting place to visit Loved the boats!!
Excellent mini birde-eye view of Thunder Bay Kimberly Ann. There is certainly some beautiful country up in that region
Great pages - I look forward to reading more - from a fellow sailor
There is just so much beauty here in North America it makes me wonder why I haven't experienced more of it. Your sailing pages are fabulous. Now this is adventure! Happy travels to you on your RV journey around the States.
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