Wingfield Basin

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Wingfield Basin bears the name of Lieutenant David Wingfield RN who first sounded the bay in 1815 with Captain William Owen. He was a member of the Royal Navy's pioneer hydrographic survey of the Georgian Bay coast.

Wingfield described the Basin as circular, ¼ mile in diameter, and three fathoms in depth, and offering perfect shelter to any boat which could pass the shallow bar at the entrance.

This ridge of stones prevented the entry of large craft until it was dredged in the 1890s. Range markers were then added to lead the mariner through the narrow channel. But the bay was shallow and the shore too near to accommodate big ships. Steam tugs and small schooners, however, found it to their liking and recreational sailors have always sought the Basin’s refuge.

When the weather threatens, the inlet is filled with pleasure boats lying peacefully at anchor.

Wingfield Basin also offers a wide variety of activities for the active nature lover:

• Birding at the Bruce Peninsula Bird Observatory
• Wildlife and Flora viewing
• Hiking trails
• Canoeing, kayaking, boating, yachting