Thessalon
From Blind River, it is 28 nautical miles to Thessalon. Once you have cleared the French Islands, you can set a course directly to Thessalon Point and enjoy a pleasant cruise on open waters on a sunny day. Should conditions change en route to Thessalon, anchorages are found offshore at East and West Grant Islands and Thessalon Island.
Thessalon Marina is well protected and can accommodate 45 transient vessels up to 96 feet long on floating finger docks. The floating docks have 30-amp power and water at each slip.The service dock can handle all of your needs for gas and diesel, pump outs,water and ice.
The Thessalon Municipal Marina is one of the newest marinas in the North Channel.The marina centre with its replica lighthouse has a lounge area for boaters, a full kitchen, washrooms, showers and a laundry facility. The main shopping area is a 10- to 15- minute walk from the marina or a short ride on one of the courtesy bikes. In town you will find groceries, banks, gift shops and souvenirs, unique clothing, liquor, wine and beer, as well as a few restaurants.
St. Joseph Island
The stretch of open water from Thessalon to St. Joseph Island is quite popular with local fisherman and many others who trailer in to troll for lake trout. Just past Bruce Mines and MacKay Island, you can see the shore of St. Joseph Island and Gravel Point.As you head towards St. Joe’s Channel, the waters begin to turn a wonderful blue reminiscent of southern climes.
You’ll have a clear view of popular Hilton Beach once north of Gravel Point. On approach to Hilton Beach Marina, the high rock breakwater is quite evident.The entrance is found at the west end of the breakwater.
There is plenty of friendly staff to help and welcome you. The marina features floating docks with wide mains and fingers, ideal for line handling or just relaxing.
The marina has a resort feel to it, with scenic grounds and a walkway around the basin to the docks and a beach. There are picnic tables and a children’s play area as well. The village, which is steps away from the marina, has a gift shop, a café and restaurant, a general store for light provisioning, and an LCBO.
Cruising northwest up St Joseph’s Channel from Hilton Beach, the shoreline and scenery changes dramatically. Sandy beaches are replaced by rocky shores and islands, pine trees and deep water.
If you are looking for an anchorage in the channel, there are two popular spots at Picture Island.To enter the first anchorage, proceed in behind the eastern tip of Picture Island, along the shores of Campement d’Ours Island. Just inside the entrance there is a small bay to port where a few boats can stern to shore.The main anchorage is to starboard around Picture Island in the narrows between Sapper Island. It is protected by high rock shores and has plenty of water up through the middle.
Departing Picture Island heading for Richards Landing, the route narrows dramatically through Wilson Channel. Immediately after Wilson Channel is the Twinning Island Bridge.This is not a problem for power boaters, but is certainly a barrier for sailboats.The day beacons indicate a centre span clearance of 12 metres (38 feet).
The municipal marina at Richards Landing is also a popular stop, easily identified by the glass-faced marina complex. Behind the low wharf is the first basin, where you’ll find the service docks.
At the west end of the stone breakwater, marked by day beacons, is the entrance to the main basin.You will find new floating finger docks behind the sheltering breakwater that can accommodate 22 transients. Just a short walk up the street from the marina is the small village of Richards Landing.
Sault Ste. Marie
Cruising from St. Joseph’s Island, it is a few hours north up the St. Mary’s River to Sault Ste. Marie. Recreational boaters transit to and from the Sault and Lake Superior along this route.
Arriving at Sault Ste. Marie, the first marina facility you will encounter is easily identified by the large buildings immediately behind.The approach to the Bellevue Municipal Marina is well marked and the marina offers gas, diesel and pump outs. However, the city recommends transients use the Roberta Bondar Marina, further west. This municipally run marina, named for Canada’s first woman in space, is conveniently located just off the downtown core.
All 50 of Bellevue’s slips are dedicated to transient boaters and the floating finger docks have power and water.The marina can handle vessels up to 150 feet long in a water depth of 10 feet in the basin. Downtown Sault Ste. Marie offers a range of restaurants, shops and provisioning options from grocery to liquor stores.