Snug Harbour Marina, home of Gilly’s Snug Harbour Restaurant, sits at 138 Snug Harbour Road in Carling Township, just north of Parry Sound off Highway 559. It is one of those places that boaters plan their whole day around. The marina offers 135 slips with overnight docking for transient boats, boat launches, and water taxis, all tucked into a sheltered harbour on Georgian Bay. You can arrive by boat or by car, and either way you are in for a treat.
The real draw is Gilly’s, the harbourfront restaurant famous across the bay for its fresh Georgian Bay fish. The fish and chips are legendary, with deep-fried pickerel as the standout, alongside smoked fish, pan-fried and grilled options, blackened whitefish tacos, fish chowder, and calamari. Save room for the famous Key Lime Pie. The patio welcomes dogs and kids, the portions are generous, and the view over the harbour is as good as the food. With a 4.9 star rating from more than 160 reviews, it is consistently called the best fish spot on Georgian Bay.
The marina store stocks most grocery items boaters and cottagers need, plus a selection of fresh and smoked fish to take home, including the famous smoked fish that has its own following. It is the perfect provisioning stop before heading out into the islands.
Nearby, the Snug Harbour Range Rear Lighthouse stands as a local landmark, and from it you can see the Red Rock lighthouse that guides big ships into Parry Sound. Whether you tie up for the night or just stop for lunch, Snug Harbour is a highlight of any Georgian Bay cruise.