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Stay-Aboard Tour: The Ultimate Sightseeing Experience

Relaxed sightseeing without leaving the boat

Bruce Anchor’s Scenic Stay-Aboard Cruises are designed for travellers who want to experience Tobermory’s most famous sights from the water or without scheduled island time. This comfortable Tobermory cruise offers uninterrupted views of shipwrecks, rugged coastline, and Flowerpot Island, all while staying on board for the full journey.

Running daily throughout the season, this cruise is ideal for sightseers, photographers, seniors, and visitors with limited time who still want a complete overview of the area.

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Tall rock formation in shallow seaside water, with two people observing nearby. Clear skies and ocean create a peaceful scene. Flowerpot Island. Flowerpot Rock Formations. Bruce Anchor Cruises. Tobermory. Fathom Five National Marine Park. Bruce Peninsula National Park.

A Relaxed Tobermory Cruise Experience

Your journey begins at the northern tip of the Bruce Peninsula, overlooking the Big Tub lighthouse and the Fathom Five Marine Park aboard one of Bruce Anchor’s modern glass-bottom vessels. Scenic Stay-Aboard Cruises are primarily operated on Eclipse, Evolution, or Explorer, each designed for comfort, stability, and clear viewing.

Spacious indoor seating, outdoor deck access, and wide viewing windows allow guests to move around freely throughout the cruise. Whether you prefer to stay in the enclosed cabin, enjoy fresh air on deck, or alternate between the two, the vessel’s layout makes it easy to experience the scenery from multiple perspectives.

Glass-Bottom Views of Historic Shipwreck

A central feature of this shipwreck cruise in Tobermory is the opportunity to view two of the area’s most well-known wrecks in Big Tub Harbour.

During the cruise, you’ll see:

  • The Sweepstakes (1885)
  • The City of Grand Rapids (1907)

The exceptionally clear waters of Tobermory allow the Sweepstakes to be seen in remarkable detail through the glass-bottom panels. You can also view both shipwrecks directly from the deck. Crew commentary adds depth to the experience by highlighting their voyages and how these vessels came to rest beneath the surface.

For guests interested in further exploration, Bruce Anchor’s shipwrecks in Tobermory page provides additional historical background.

Scenic Cruising Past Flowerpot Island

After exploring Big Tub Harbour, the cruise continues along the shoreline toward Flowerpot Island, one of the most recognizable landmarks within Fathom Five National Marine Park.

From the water, guests enjoy views of:

  • Dramatic limestone cliffs shaped by wind and waves
  • The iconic flowerpot rock formations rising from the shoreline
  • The historic lightstation and the surrounding island landscape

Tour Length and What to Expect

This cruise is designed to be educational while still immersive.

  • Total round-trip cruise time is approximately 90 minutes
  • Boarding and disembarking take approximately 20 minutes
  • The vessel departs exactly 20 minutes after the scheduled check-in time

Clear announcements and attentive crew support make this an easy and approachable option for all visitors to Tobermory.

Who Is This Cruise Best For?

Scenic Stay-Aboard Cruises are a great fit for visitors who:

  • Prefer a fully stay-on-board experience
  • Want excellent photo opportunities
  • Are travelling with seniors or young children
  • Have limited time in Tobermory
  • Want a relaxed viewing to the region’s top sights

Travellers who want to step foot on Flowerpot Island or spend extended time ashore may prefer Bruce Anchor’s Drop-Off Tours instead.

Why Choose Bruce Anchor Cruises?

Bruce Anchor has been family-owned and operated since 1989 and is known for professional service, safety, and environmental responsibility.

  • A modern glass-bottom fleet, including the low-emission Eclipse
  • UV-protected canopies and top open viewing decks
  • Onboard washrooms
  • Experienced captains and knowledgeable crew
  • Daily departures throughout the season (weather dependent) 
  • Operations conducted within Fathom Five National Marine Park

Each Scenic Stay-Aboard Cruise is designed to be comfortable, informative, and respectful of the surrounding marine environment.

Plan Ahead and Book With Confidence

Scenic Stay-Aboard Cruises operate every day throughout the season (weather dependent) and remain one of the most popular sightseeing options in Tobermory. Advance booking is strongly recommended on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as during peak season. 

For information on payment methods, convenient 24-hour cancellation policies, weather policies, and sailing conditions, please review our Terms and Conditions before booking.

Don’t miss out! Book a cruise and experience Tobermory’s iconic landscapes from the comfort of unique and modern vessels.
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Other Information:

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This payment must be made on a credit card, we cannot accept Visa Debit, or prepaid credit cards. Reservations are not complete until we have processed the deposit.

Bruce Anchor Cruises reserves the right to cancel at any time without notice due to inclement weather conditions including, but not limited to, strong winds and/or thunderstorms. As well, all sailing schedules are subject to change or cancellations without notice due to circumstances related to crew and captain availability, as well as instances where vessels require unscheduled repairs, may occur. In the event of cancellation, pre-purchased tickets will be refunded in full.

Boat tickets must be paid in full at the time of reservation by Visa or Mastercard. Visa Debit and Mastercard Debit will decline and are not accepted forms of payment. Cancellations must be made 24 hours prior to departure time in order to receive a refund. Any cancellations made within twenty four hours of the purchased sailing will not receive a refund. All cancellations must be made over the phone.

Refunds will not be issued to guests who miss their sailing.

For more information regarding bookings, please visit here.