For a completely different view of the 30,000 Islands, Georgian Bay Airways takes you up in a floatplane from the Parry Sound waterfront. This sightseeing, charter and training operation has been flying the Bay for years, and there is no better way to grasp the sheer scale of the world’s largest freshwater archipelago than from the air. Daily flightseeing tours range from short local hops to longer flights taking in 12 Mile Bay and the outer islands, with sparkling water, windswept pines and grand cottages spread out below.
The signature experience is Fly & Dine: a scenic flight to lunch at a waterfront restaurant, most famously Henry’s Fish Restaurant on Frying Pan Island. For the more adventurous, Flying Adventures pair flights with ATV tours, guided hikes on remote islands, or full-day fly-in fishing trips. Overnight resort getaways and custom charters — including pickups from cottages around the Muskoka lakes and Georgian Bay — round out the offerings, and floatplane training is available for aspiring bush pilots.
The season runs from mid-May to mid-October. Back on the dock, the Tailwinds gift shop stocks aviation-inspired gifts and locally made souvenirs, and the Scoop Deck serves coffee and ice cream — a fine reward after a flight. Pilots get consistently high marks for smooth flying, good humour and sharp eyes for pointing out landmarks from above. Book ahead in summer, pick a sunny day, and bring your camera.