Bayfield Sound ON
Great-Lakes-Sailing.com
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Bayfield Sound, ON Lat: 45° 58.826 Long: 82° 44.938 |
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Quick Reference:
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Important Numbers n/a |
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DISTANCES
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DESCRIPTION Bayfield Sound has been described as the North Channel in miniature. Located on the northwest coast of Manitoulin Island, it extend southeast deep into Manitoulin, approximately 20 nm. However, its nearly 40 nm of shoreline offer a cruising sailor hours and days of pure beauty and delight. The scenery is stunning and many times, you will be the only boat exploring its tree-studded, soaring bluffs. Bayfield Sound is named after Lt. (later Admiral, Sir) Henry W. Bayfield. Bayfield was an outstanding Royal Navy officer and surveyor. Between 1816 and approximately 1830, he surveyed much of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River. He was truly a giant figure in Canada's early history. There are towns and geographic features bear his name and he is responsible for many of the names given to features and locations around the lakes. |
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APPROACHES The entrance to Bayfield Sound is straight-forward and easy. From the North Channel, proceed south on a course of approximately 200° T into the Sound, leaving the GREEN marker JJ1 which marks Jubilee Shoal, to your port. Once inside the Sound, simply follow your charts to explore the bays and shoreline. When you enter, you will find a group of small islands. These are all named after Bayfield's family as are the large bays: Fanny Is. (his wife), Gertrude Is. (his daughter), Henry Is. (himself), Elizabeth Bay (his mother) and Helen Bay (his sister). |
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MARINAS, YACHT CLUBS, MOORINGS, ANCHORAGES There is a government dock at the south west end in Cooks Bay. However, this dock is regularly used by the large commercial fishing boats and is very rough concrete. In any kind of a swell, it would play havoc with fenders and hull. There are many places to anchor throughout the Sound. At the bottom of Campbell Bay, charts still show a marina/resort. This has been closed for several years and is now private property. When anchoring, you need to note the prevailing wind as most anchorages will be wide open on one side or the other. |
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REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE, PROVISIONING, BANKS/ATM's n/a |
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MEDICAL SERVICES n/a |
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PLACES TO EAT n/a |
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THINGS TO DO/SEE/VISIT Bayfield Sound is an absolutely beautiful stetch of water to sail and explore. Most boaters will pass by its entrance and never give it a thought. But altering course to explore this beautiful body of water can be a memorable experience. At the very eastern end there is a sandbar behind which is a county road causeway. The causeway bridges an entrance into Wolsey Lake (that's the W in Bayfield's name). You can enter Wolsey Lake under the causeway by dinghy. The fishing is simply superb. And yes, you can anchor behind that sandbar by proceeding in carefully. Return from Bayfield Sound to North Channel Return to Home Page |
