Trip Rating: 4.0/5
Long Point Bay on Lake Erie is a large, shallow, protected bay created by the Long Point sand spit. From Turkey Point to the hamlet of Long Point you get a mix of open water, wetlands, and channels that can easily fill anything from a short paddle to a week of exploring.
This post focuses on a day trip from Turkey Point into Little Bay and the mouth of Indian Creek.
Launch Site
Turkey Point is a busy summer beach town with a wide sand beach and heavy boat and car traffic in peak season. Arriving early makes the day much smoother.
The launch is on the beach beside the Turkey Vegas Bar and Grill, which conveniently doubles as a post-paddle patio stop. To find this spot, use the following address in your map app: 236 Ordnance Dr, Vittoria, ON N0E 1W0.
Trip Length
The broader Long Point area is extensive. You could spend an afternoon here or come back for multiple days and still have new water to explore. For this route, the focus is on Little Bay and the entrance to Indian Creek.
On the Water
On a calm summer day the water in Long Point Bay often feels more like a warm inland lake than one of the Great Lakes.
- Shallow, clear water along the beach.
- Marsh channels and side creeks to poke into.
- Plenty of bird life and shoreline detail.
The photos from this trip show classic Lake Erie scenes: clear water, lily pads after a storm, and the kind of boat-in restaurant that feels very local.
Here is a GPS track from the day that shows a simple loop from Turkey Point into Little Bay and back:
Hazards and Boat Traffic
There are two main cautions on this route:
- Power boat traffic: Long Point Bay is very popular with power boaters. Stay highly visible, paddle defensively, and avoid high party-traffic weekends such as the well-known Potahawk events.
- Lake Erie weather: Lake Erie is known for changing quickly. It can be flat one hour and steep, short-period waves the next. Check the marine forecast, watch the sky, and build a conservative margin into your plan.
Difficulty
In calm summer conditions this is an intermediate-friendly paddle with easy landings and many options to shorten or extend the route. The exposure to Lake Erie weather and heavy boat traffic means it is best suited to paddlers with:
- Comfort in small waves and boat wakes.
- Reliable boat control in chop and wind.
- Basic trip planning and navigation skills.
As with all Lake Erie trips, appropriate immersion wear, safety gear, and a conservative mindset are important.
Cost
$0
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