Any sea kayaker who lives in Ontario has either paddled to Franklin Island or has it on their list. The Franklin, Mink, and McCoy island groups are huge; far more than you can explore in a single weekend and every return trip reveals something new.
For this short weekend, we met at the parking lot near Gilly’s Snug Harbour Restaurant & Marine.
Important note: Pay close attention to the parking signs. Several spots are reserved for local residents only. In my excitement to launch, I earned two $75 tickets from the town. Not a complaint: just a heads up.
Charts Used
- Topo: H8
- Nautical Chart: 2242
- Chrismar Adventure Map: Franklin–Mink–McCoy
We loaded the kayaks and pushed off around 7 p.m. with only a couple hours of daylight left. The goal for night one: Franklin Island.
Camp on the first night
We found a sheltered sand beach on the southeast side of Franklin—perfect protection from the wind. After setting up camp, we spent the evening relaxing, rolling, and taking in an unreal moonrise.
Rolling practice
An incredible moonlight night
Waking up on the beach
After breakfast, we packed up and headed for the west side of Franklin. Saturday brought significant wind—long rolling 1 m waves marching straight down from the Bruce Peninsula toward the McCoys. It made for fun, dynamic paddling.
The lake side of Georgian Bay
Navigation check
After lunch on a small island, we made the call to cross to Big McCoy Island—a headwind, a beam swell, and over 10 km of open water. We paired up so each swimmer would have immediate support if anything happened.
A-OK mid-crossing
Fun conditions—Dejan is tall, so those waves are about 0.7 m
Arriving at Big McCoy Island
The McCoys are stunning—granite slabs, turquoise shoals, and zero development. In places, the water rushing over shallow shelves looks like it’s boiling.
Big McCoy Island
We found a perfect campsite tucked in a narrow channel—fire ring, established pads, even a natural rock “amphitheatre” that felt too perfect to be accidental.
A natural rock meeting area
After packing up the next morning, we paddled the full island chain—from the top of the McCoys, through the Minks, all the way to the Red Rock Lighthouse. The swell was still sizable, which made for outstanding photos and fun paddling.
Waves breaking over the rocks
Franklin–Mink–McCoy is one of those places you never really finish. You just keep returning and seeing more each time. If you paddle Georgian Bay, this trip should be on your list.
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