Chantry Island Lighthouse Tour
Chantry Island Lighthouse Tour
4.5
Full view
About
Come out to breathtaking Southampton Ontario and take in the sights and sounds of Chantry Island. Take a tour of the Light Keeper’s Cottage and climb the 106 steps to the top of the lighthouse tower for an unparalleled view of the area. The island is also a Federal Migratory Bird Sanctuary. With approximately 50,000 birds on the island during the breeding season, it is surely a sight to behold.
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Chantry Island Lighthouse Tour
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4.5
28 reviews
Excellent
22
Very good
4
Average
0
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Darlene Watson
Southampton, Canada3 contributions
Aug. 2023 • Solo
I am coming up to my eighth year here in Southampton and yesterday I went on my first boat ride over to Chantry Island with the tour. It was in my opinion, fabulous with professional guides and a wealth of information. The view from the top of the lighthouse is spectacular. If you have time or get a chance to take the tour, go as you will not be disappointed.
Written August 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Keith R
Whitby, Canada17 contributions
Jun. 2023
Tried for the 1 oclock tour but was booked. The 3 oclock also booked.
But the office made special effort to confirm those booked for the 3 oclock and found room for us.
For the tour, Eric, David and Carol, the Captain.
all volunteers. all excellent and fun and knowledgeable.
The lighthouse tour was very good. Be prepared to climb 107 rather narrow stairs.
But the office made special effort to confirm those booked for the 3 oclock and found room for us.
For the tour, Eric, David and Carol, the Captain.
all volunteers. all excellent and fun and knowledgeable.
The lighthouse tour was very good. Be prepared to climb 107 rather narrow stairs.
Written June 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paula
4 contributions
Jul. 2022
This is a must see if you're in the area. Captain Chris and tour guide Lynn were very informative. Definitely a history lesson of Southampton and the island. Lighthouse and keepers' house takes you back in time. They are 150 yrs old. Old pictures and antique furniture decorate the house. View from the top of the lighthouse is breathtaking. Boat holds 9 ppl. so be sure to book ahead, and wear running shoes for walking on island and climbing lighthouse. Island is also a bird sanctuary. Everything is run and maintained by volunteers! Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Written August 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lolly N
Brights Grove, Canada227 contributions
Aug. 2019
We bought tickets online for $25. The Captain Al, is a very capable and friendly boat operator. There was also Ron the tour guide and Rob the tour guide/first mate. It is a 5 minute boat ride to the island. The local marine historical society owns 1 acre of the island and the Federal Government owns the rest. There are thousands of birds, mostly seagulls and cormorants. There can be 8 people on a tour. You split into two groups when you arrive at the island. One group visits the keepers house while the other climbs the 7 or 8 flights of stairs to the top of the lighthouse. After half an hour you switch. The tour guides are local volunteers with a vast amount of knowledge about the area. We saw a replica of the rescue boat that the keeper used to rescue crew and passengers from the many ships that wrecked in the area.
We visited the gift shop when we arrived back. It is staffed by volunteers who hand craft many of the items for sale. The prices were very reasonable and because it is a non profit organization there was no tax. The items were really nice and well made.
The boat does not run in bad weather.
We visited the gift shop when we arrived back. It is staffed by volunteers who hand craft many of the items for sale. The prices were very reasonable and because it is a non profit organization there was no tax. The items were really nice and well made.
The boat does not run in bad weather.
Written August 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
operalover939
Toronto, Canada2,975 contributions
Aug. 2019
Located on this bird sanctuary, an island in Lake Huron about a kilometre from Southampton, is a lighthouse that has functioned for more than 150 years and the recently restored home of the lighthouse keeper, in use into the early 1950s. There are lots of birds to be seen, but the structures are, for me, the real attraction. We had two guides, one for the tower and the other for the house. Both were volunteers and very knowledgeable; both also had a fine sense of humour. The attraction is well worth the $30 per person admission
Written August 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JanePia
Krugersdorp, South Africa76 contributions
Jul. 2019 • Friends
What a wonderful experience this was. Our Captain and tour guides were just excellent - they made the facts interesting and fun.
The climb up the lighthouse was really great, although I didn’t make it quite to the very top - my vertigo set in and the Lighthouse keepers home is beautifully restored.
The nesting cormorants were a sight to behold and the little bull chicks quite adorable
The climb up the lighthouse was really great, although I didn’t make it quite to the very top - my vertigo set in and the Lighthouse keepers home is beautifully restored.
The nesting cormorants were a sight to behold and the little bull chicks quite adorable
Written July 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travel4Tw0
Kincardine, Canada93 contributions
Jul. 2019 • Friends
We took a friend out on the Chantry Island Tour this past weekend. Can't say enough great things about the volunteer staff - captain and tour guide, as well as the (possibly paid) summer student? Information on the island, lighthouse and home was well presented and suited everyone - including the young boy who was part of another party. Note: Only 9 spots on each tour and they sell out quickly, and, of course, weather can wreck havoc at any time. Also, I believe there is a height minimum necessary (i.e. no very small children).
Written July 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dianne
3 contributions
Jun. 2019 • Friends
We had a wonderful time on Chantry Island. The main drawing card for me was the fact that this is a bird sanctuary. We went at the beginning of June and were able to see nesting gulls right beside the path. In trees close by we saw cormorants and herons nesting. From the lighthouse you could also see swans. Everywhere the sounds of gulls and seabirds rang out. I hope to go back sometime when the gull chicks are hatching. . .maybe beginning of July?
When you include the boat ride, lighthouse and keepers cottage tours this is well worth the $30 for an exceptional 2 hour experience.
Just a note, children under 4 feet are not allowed on the island for safety reasons.
When you include the boat ride, lighthouse and keepers cottage tours this is well worth the $30 for an exceptional 2 hour experience.
Just a note, children under 4 feet are not allowed on the island for safety reasons.
Written June 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robin972
Anderson, SC194 contributions
Jun. 2018 • Couples
we were delighted to get to take this tour, get to climb the lighthouse and see all the nesting birds. it was very interesting and informative. Be sure to bring your camera.
Written January 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
discerningms
Oakville, Canada8 contributions
Jul. 2018 • Family
For a $30 reservation, you will experience the dedicated knowledgeable volunteers' guided tours- across the lake to the shores, interior walls of the restored house, the basement and cast iron turret 7 stories up where the actual light is located!
Written July 28, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.