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Stay-Aboard Tour: The Ultimate Sightseeing Experience

Relaxed sightseeing without leaving the comfort of the vessel

Bruce Anchor’s Scenic Stay-Aboard Cruises are designed for travellers who want to experience Tobermory’s most famous sights from the water. This memorable cruise offers uninterrupted views of shipwrecks, rugged coastline, and Flowerpot Island, all with the comfort of staying on board for the full journey.

Running daily throughout the season, this 90-minute cruise is ideal for everyone, including sightseers, photographers, seniors, and young families! 

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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 islands of Fathom Five National Marine Park aboard one of Bruce Anchor’s modern glass-bottom vessels, all of which are designed for comfort, stability, and clear viewing.

Whether you prefer to stay in the enclosed cabin with wide viewing windows or enjoy fresh air on the deck, each vessel’s layout makes it easy to experience the scenery from multiple perspectives.

Glass-Bottom Views of Historic Shipwreck

From here, the cruise proceeds toward the head of the harbour, where guests enjoy close-up views of two nineteenth-century shipwrecks resting in shallow, crystal-clear water:

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

The Sweepstakes is visible through the glass-bottom viewing panels, and both wrecks are visible directly from the side of the vessel. 

A highlight of this shipwreck cruise in Tobermory is the opportunity to view the remarkably well-preserved Sweepstakes, an eerie beauty, and the remains of the City of Grand Rapids, without leaving the boat. Tobermory’s exceptional water clarity allows for detailed viewing, making this portion of the cruise especially popular with photographers.

Crew commentary provides historical context, explaining how these vessels became part of the underwater landscape that defines the region today. Guests interested in a deeper background can explore Bruce Anchor’s dedicated shipwrecks in Tobermory resource before or after their cruise.

Scenic Cruising Past Flowerpot Island

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

From the water, guests enjoy views of:

  • Various islands within Fathom Five National Marine Park
  • Dramatic limestone cliffs shaped by wind and waves
  • The iconic flowerpot rock formations rising from the shoreline
  • The historic lightstation on Flowerpot Island
  • The surrounding escarpment landscape

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
  • Want a relaxed viewing of the area’s legendary attractions

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.

With Bruce Anchor, passengers can look forward to:  

  • A modern glass-bottom fleet, including the low-emission Eclipse
  • UV-protected canopies and top open viewing decks
  • Onboard washrooms
  • Experienced captains and crew with deep knowledge of the area
  • 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

Stay Aboard Tours run every day throughout the season (weather and water level dependent), but sailings often fill quickly during peak season. Advance booking is strongly recommended on Saturdays and Sundays, and for those wanting to take advantage of the many Promotions offered throughout the season. 

Many sailings sell out in advance due to limited capacity and high demand. Guests can reserve their preferred cruise and departure time by visiting the Book a Cruise page. 

For details 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.