5 Best Day Trips from Gravenhurst by Boat

Gravenhurst sits at the southern end of Lake Muskoka and is the perfect launch point for a day of exploration by boat. From here, you can reach some of the most beautiful and interesting destinations in the entire Muskoka region — all without touching a road. Here are five day trips worth making.

1. Port Carling — The Hub of the Muskoka Lakes

Port Carling is the most popular destination on the Muskoka Lakes — and for good reason. It sits at the junction of Lakes Muskoka, Rosseau, and Joseph, connected by the famous Indian River lock system. From Gravenhurst, the cruise north to Port Carling takes about an hour at a relaxed pace, giving you time to take in the whole length of Lake Muskoka. Tie up at the public docks, watch the boats go through the locks, walk through town for lunch, and browse the shops and galleries. It is a full half-day destination by itself.

2. Bala — Waterfalls and Village Charm

Head northwest from Gravenhurst and follow the shore toward Bala Bay. The village of Bala is one of Muskoka's most beloved spots — small, charming, and easy to explore on foot from the waterfront. The Bala Falls are just a short walk from the public dock and are worth the stop. The village has a handful of good restaurants, a well-stocked general store, and an unhurried pace that feels like a true escape. Plan an hour or two in Bala before heading back out to explore the islands on your way home.

3. The Beaumaris Islands — Swimming and Seclusion

On the eastern shore of Lake Muskoka, the area around Beaumaris is one of the most scenic on the entire lake. The rocky islands, crystal-clear water, and relative quiet make it one of the best destinations for anchoring, swimming, and spending a few hours in total seclusion. Drop anchor between two islands, jump in for a swim, and enjoy the kind of peace that is harder and harder to find. This is the trip that reminds you why people have been coming to Muskoka for over a century.

4. Milford Bay — Quiet Water and Great Fishing

Milford Bay, tucked into the eastern shoreline of Lake Muskoka, is the destination for anyone who wants to fish. The bay is protected from wind, the water is deep in the right spots, and it holds healthy populations of bass and walleye through the summer. Even if fishing is not the primary plan, Milford Bay is a beautiful place to anchor for lunch and a swim. The bay is calm and the shoreline is lush — a genuinely peaceful corner of the lake that does not attract the same crowds as the main channels.

5. Muskoka Wharf, Gravenhurst — Start and End Here

For a shorter outing or a trip that stays closer to home base, the Muskoka Wharf right in Gravenhurst is worth exploring properly. The heritage harbour has shops, restaurants, and the RMS Segwun — one of the oldest operating steamships in North America. Arrive early enough to dock comfortably, spend time exploring the wharf, and watch the Segwun if it is in port. The wharf is the kind of place that feels different by water than it ever does from the parking lot.