Frequently Asked Questions

Cancellation Policy

For your comfort and safety we reserve the right to cancel any cruise or charter due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances and you will receive an automatic full refund. For our scheduled Wave II cruises, if you choose to cancel providing 72 hours notice or more we will also provide a full refund. A refund will NOT be provided for any reason within 72 hours of departure or if you are not on board at the departure time. For our Private Charter group bookings, the cancellation time required for a refund is 14 days.

WHERE TO FIND OUR BOATS

You can find our boats, the Wave II and the Nor'Light in berth 1 and 2 on the right side of dock 4 in Little Tub Harbour, right in the middle of downtown Tobermory.

Call us at 226.974.1880 if you are lost.

GPS CO-ORDINATES: 45°15'22.9"N 81°39'44.9"W ; 45.256375, -81.662479

WHERE CAN PRIVATE TOURS GO?

Our private tours explore many unique destinations in Fathom Five Marine Park and surrounding waters. Our experienced Captains will always plan our tours each day with wind and wave conditions in mind to ensure the safest and most comfortable ride possible. On your private tour before departure, you will discus with your Captain where you would like to go and what you would like to see. Tour routes can often include Cove Island, with its serene blue lagoon and its famous, beautiful lighthouse. Other islands may include: The Otters, Echo, Russel, Flowerpot and Bears Rump along our tour routes. We also have the option to travel down the spectacular Georgian Bay shoreline, taking in sites such as: Cave Point, Driftwood Cove and the escarpment cliffs of Overhanging Point, Indian Head Cove, the Grotto and of course you may request to see the famous Shipwrecks.

The longer time frames for our Charter boat options may allow you to travel further when conditions allow.  Along the way we will share shipwrecks stories from the water's depths and offer hands-on environmental education from a knowledgeable guide.

Do you go to Flowerpot Island?

While we do visit the Flowerpots of Flowerpot Island we do NOT drop people on the Island; there are two other companies that specialize in transporting people to this location. We do provide a lengthy, ever changing tour over the entirety of Fathom Five National Marine Park including, the Shipwrecks, Flowerpots Island and the Grotto. Our Private tours can be customised so that you can visit all of the 22 islands of Fathom Five National Marine Park. You can view, photograph and learn about “Flowerpots” or Sea Stack rock formations. We also proudly adventure to many more beautiful destinations unexplored by others often including Cove Island Lighthouse and blue lagoons.

Do we see shipwrecks?

Our regular Wave II tours do visit Big Tub Harbour where the Sweepstakes wrecks are found. Most people don’t realize that there are more than 20 shipwrecks and historic sites below the waters of Fathom Five and our private tours also visit many of these where you will learn their fascinating stories. How about a swim or snorkel on some of these wrecks as part of a private swim tour?

How does our online booking work?

We offer our customers the advantage of time-saving convenience especially in the high season. You can easily see availability, book, pay, and receive confirmation in only minutes from anywhere using any device with internet. There are no ticket booths or line ups waiting for tickets to be printed, ever! No wasteful paper either. Book safely online and we'll check you in right on our boat as all we need is your name, that's it!

Not so tech savvy? Don’t worry, just call our TWA Rep at (226) 974-1880 and they will book you right over the phone. 

What is a Boat Charter or private tour? 

If you are traveling in a large group and want to save money, desire a more private experience on a special occasion, or want a unique destination or theme, then a boat charter may be right for you. Pay one price for the whole boat, a much cheaper option for large families/groups.

We can accommodate from 1 to 12 passengers on a private Nor'Light charter and up to 24 on the Wave II with the flat rate, and then only $10 per person after that, up to 34 people. That works out to around $32 - $40 per person, about half of the price of a regular ticket. We offer 2 to 6 hour options and two different boats.                                                                                

A charter may also be a great option for families, corporate, school outings (we can work within your curriculum) clubs, kayakers, wedding parties, photography, birders, environmental studies and film makers. We will always try to personalize our route and tour to your needs.

To discuss or book a chartered boat call our helpful TWA Rep at (226) 974-1880.

How are our tourS different?

We value quality over quantity. While the Wave II is built for 40 passengers we limit tours to around 32 for more room to wiggle. The Nor'light is restricted to only 12 passengers providing an incredibly intimate experience. Our tours last longer and go farther, meaning additional costs for us but an exclusive experience for you. 

In fact, we travel all over Fathom Five and the surrounding area going to many places the others don’t during our full 2 hour and 20 minute tours. Our crew is highly trained and certified. The guide delivers a very personal, hands on and interactive tour that can change daily. This means that our Tobermory Wave Adventurers can come out with us again and again and see and learn new things each time.

We also include extras such as: proper rain gear, blankets and even sometimes snacks and drinks. Our company goes the extra mile to be environmentally and socially responsible so that you can travel in good conscience. 
* During the pandemic situation the above inclusions may not be available.

Can I bring food and drinks?

Yes, no problem. Please try to bring your reusable containers as we are a pack on pack off experience. 

Acceptable food suggestions would include: Sandwiches, cookies, trail mix, fruit etc.

Not acceptable: Fish & chips, burgers, pizzas, ice cream etc. No styrofoam containers, please. Floating garbage especially plastics, end up in our lakes and oceans. Please! Be part of the solution not the cause.

Can I bring my pet on board?

We are dog lovers here at TWA but a boat ride for over two hours is generally not the best place for most dogs, so we ask that you leave them at home. We know that you may be on holiday with Fido so well behaved, friendly, smaller dogs up to 50 lbs are sometimes permitted. You must call and ask first as only one dog per boat is allowed. We will add your pup to your ticket at no charge. Service dogs are always accepted (again, please call). Friendly dogs are always welcome on our private tours. REMEMBER HOT CARS KILL DOGS! Please plan ahead.

Is smoking and/or alcohol allowed?

For safety reasons smoking and vaping is strictly prohibited on our boats. Alcohol should not be consumed on board and any person appearing to be intoxicated before departure will be refused entry to the boat. We strive for a fun but safe experience for everyone.

What if it's raining?

Our Great Lakes are famous for changing weather conditions. In fact, there is a well known local saying, “If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes”. For the most part we do not cancel a tour for light rain, misty, cool or overcast conditions and do recommend that you dress accordingly. In the case of high winds, storm activity or heavy rain or fog we may cancel or delay a tour. At that point we will issue a full refund or reschedule your trip to a later time or date.

Is there a toilet on the boat?

Yes, there is a toilet on board the Nor'Light.
However, the Wave II does not have washroom facilities due to its purpose and small size.
As the Wave tour is 2+ hours in length, we do recommend that you pay a visit to the washroom before departure. There are public facilities on the north and south side of Little Tub Harbour.  Please allow yourself enough time before your boat leaves.

What if I have an accessibility or medical condition?

We do our best to accommodate people with most accessibility issues and recommend that you arrive a little early to allow us to assist you better. For wheelchair access the Nor'Light is the best option. Due to the more personal interactive nature of our cruises, we are often able to tailor the experience to suit your needs. Our tours are not recommended for persons with neck, back conditions/injuries or heart conditions. Consider asking your doctor if such an activity is right for you. If you are pregnant ask your Doctor if a boat tour is a risk for you.

Please call our TWA rep at 226-974-1880 for accessibility options.

Can we swim at Flowerpot Island and the Grotto on a Private Swim Tour?

We do not allow swimming at Flowerpot Island or the Grotto. These areas are dangerous due to increased boat traffic, water currents and slippery rocks. We prefer to take our swim tours away from the crowds to quiet, protected bays where we can anchor the boat safely. All swimmers will be required to wear a life jacket while swimming from the boat.