slate islands provincial park

The Slates are a kayaker's delight. Rough crossing unless you use one of charter boats operating out of Terrace Bay but once there, it is all calm sheltered bays and channels. Wilderness crown land camping (non Ontario residents need a permit obtainable at the local MNR office weekdays), incredible Trout and Salmon fishing, the only herd of Southern Woodland Caribou south of James bay and still no concrete evidence of wolf and bear on the islands. Numerous designated camp sites with some having docks dot the shores and abandoned camps for use in really bad weather or emergencies. The islands are approximately 11.5 Km (6 miles) from the dock at Terrace Bay then another couple to the camps areas. The islands have only one inhabited complex and that is the old light house station on the south shore at Sunday Harbour. It is used by a local family who used to tend the lights during the open water season. The park is incredible. No other words does it justice. Locals use it all the time for both overnight and day fishing trips but it is so large you hardly notice. No services or phones anywhere. Locals always take 3 days extra food in case of weather as the South West winds in a storm can role over 10 feet and in May and mid August onward can top 14. Best months are last half of May to first week in August. There is a free launch and parking operated by Terrace Bay which in normal water conditions will take boats up to 28 feet with a draught of 5. feet.