Parks Canada’s Ability to Transport Visitors to and from Beausoleil Island Cannot Keep Up with Demand.

In 2022, Parks Canada released a report titled Georgian Bay Islands National Park of Canada and Beausoleil Island National Historic Site of Canada Management Plan

You can access the full report here. The following are excerpts from the report:

Established in 1929, Georgian Bay Islands National Park is Canada’s smallest national park, consisting of 50 islands and properties covering a total area of 14 square kilometres. The park is located approximately 160 kilometres north of Toronto, Ontario and is within a half-day’s drive for millions of Canadians. Park lands can only be accessed by boat. Visitors arrive by private watercraft, commercial operators, or the park-operated DayTripper shuttle boat.

Though small in land area, Georgian Bay Islands National Park is widely recognized for its ecological significance. In a combined area of only 14 square kilometres, spread out over dozens of islands, there are known to be at least 25 plants and animals that are listed under the federal Species at Risk Act. Most notably, the park provides habitat for over 30 species of amphibians and reptiles, more than any national park in Canada, of which 13 are listed as species at risk. For these reasons, the park is recognized as an Important Amphibian and Reptile Area by the Canadian Herpetological Society.

The operations base in Honey Harbour has become the launch point to facilitate more access to the national park and national historic site for those visiting for the day and those arriving to stay in roofed accommodations. Parks Canada’s ability to transport visitors to and from Beausoleil Island cannot keep up with increasing demand. In addition to those who are arriving with reservations, Honey Harbour can become congested with day-trippers, visitors launching their own canoe or kayak, or those stopping in for information. The increased number of people coming to the operations base in Honey Harbour has put pressure on the existing infrastructure, which can cause negative experiences and safety concerns with respect to traffic congestion. Visitors without reservations are turned away each day in peak season, and new options are required to reduce congestion at Honey Harbour and provide visitors with more opportunities to experience the park and national historic site.

Honey Harbour is designated as one of the Aspiring Geopark’s signature geosites.