Flowerpot Island: A Small Island Steeped in Heartbreaking Lore

According to Ottawa and Chippewa lore, two stately sea stacks on a small island in Lake Huron are the stone bodies of two star-crossed lovers. The pair boarded a boat to escape to an island so that they could evade their disapproving families. The unlucky lovers were turned to stone by a disgruntled spirit as soon as they dramatically crashed ashore. Today, the grand highlight of Flowerpot Island is the two top-heavy stone ‘flowerpots’ that grace the shoreline.

Flowerpot Island is located in Fathom Five Marine Park in Ontario, Canada. From mid-May through mid-October, there are two private boat companies that offer transport from nearby Tobermory Harbour. Bruce Anchor Cruises offers a glass bottom boat that sails by two shipwrecked vessels en route to Flowerpot Island. The pristine waters of Lake Huron are conducive to getting a clear view of the impressive sunken ships.

In addition to viewing the celebrated flowerpots, visitors can hike through a dense pine forest that leads to numerous lookout points with panoramic views, visit a historic light station, or have a picnic. The light station—which dates back to the early 1900s—is manned by volunteers who sometimes operate a concession stand that sells drinks, snacks, and souvenirs. Packing food and drinks is highly recommended because Flowerpot Island offers very few provisions.

Most visitors spend between 3-5 hours on Flowerpot Island. If you find chilly water refreshing, you can swim or snorkel in the frigid waters of Lake Huron. The beaches are quite rocky, so water shoes and a wetsuit might help make your swim more enjoyable. The water may be cold, but the gorgeous turquoise surf will make you feel as though you’re vacationing in Tahiti.

Flowerpot Island is home to 6 campsites. Visitors must bring their own gear and pre-register with Parks Canada in order to spend the night on Flowerpot Island. Those who have the best experience camping on Flowerpot Island are generally seasoned campers who are familiar with camping in areas with very few amenities. Campers can arrange for boat drop-off and pickup.

True to its name, Flowerpot Island serves as a habitat for rare plants. The vibrant blooms of the calypso orchid—which is also known as the fairy slipper—will make any plant lover’s heart skip a beat. Expect to see the calypso orchid’s magenta blooms during the summer months.

No trip to Ontario is complete without a visit to mythical and beautiful Flowerpot Island.

Location:
Flowerpot Island
Tobermory, Ontario, N0H 2R0
Canada