The Nottawasaga Lighthouse: A Georgian Bay Landmark You Can Only Reach by Sea-Doo

The 85-foot limestone tower on Nottawasaga Island has been standing watch over Collingwood Harbour since 1858, and unless you own a boat, you're not getting close to it. There's no bridge, no ferry dock, and no parking lot — just open Georgian Bay water between the mainland and one of Ontario's most photographed maritime ruins. For riders based in the Oakville-to-Collingwood corridor, that's exactly what makes it worth the trip: a genuine off-the-beaten-path destination that rewards a Sea-Doo owner in a way a hiking trail never could.

This guide breaks down the lighthouse's history, why the surrounding Georgian Bay waters are worth exploring by PWC, what to check on your Sea-Doo before you go, and how Energy Powersports in Oakville can get you trip-ready.

The History Behind the Tower

The Nottawasaga Lighthouse is one of six nearly identical "Imperial Towers" built between 1855 and 1858 by Scottish stonemason John Brown to mark safe navigation routes along Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. Collingwood became the northern terminus of the Simcoe and Huron Railway line in 1851, which linked Toronto to the upper Great Lakes and drove the need for reliable lighthouses in the area. The tower itself was finished in 1856, but its lens wasn't installed and lit until November 30, 1858 — the same year Collingwood was officially incorporated as a town.

Standing 86 feet tall, the lighthouse's beam was once visible for 17 miles, or about 27 kilometres, across the bay. Over 124 years, 13 men and two women served as its keepers before the light was automated and eventually decommissioned. Time hasn't been kind to the structure — a lightning strike in 2004 caused part of the exterior wall to collapse — but Fisheries and Oceans Canada has since worked to stabilize it, reinforcing the stonework with steel cables and repointing the walls with lime mortar. Today the island is uninhabited and functions as a bird sanctuary, with the tower maintained through the efforts of the volunteer-run Nottawasaga Lighthouse Preservation Society.

Why This Stretch of Georgian Bay Matters for Powersports Riders

Nottawasaga Island sits roughly two miles northeast of Collingwood Harbour, close enough for a short PWC crossing but far enough that it feels like a genuine expedition rather than a lap around the marina. This part of Georgian Bay is well known among Sea-Doo owners for a few reasons:

• Open-water sightlines. The bay here is wide and largely obstruction-free, making it easy to run a direct line out to the island and back without threading through congested boat traffic.
• A real destination, not just a route. Unlike a straight shoreline cruise, the lighthouse gives riders a specific landmark to plan the trip around — something to photograph, anchor near, and use as a turnaround point.
• Proximity to Collingwood's marina infrastructure. Fuel, launch ramps, and marina services in Collingwood make it a practical staging point for a day trip, even for riders coming up from the Oakville/GTA area.
• Seasonal variability. Georgian Bay water levels and chop conditions change meaningfully from early summer to fall, which means trip planning (and gear) should adjust with the calendar.

For Can-Am and Ski-Doo riders in the same region, the broader Collingwood–Blue Mountain corridor also connects to established ORV trail networks and, come winter, OFSC-linked snowmobile corridors — so the area rewards a multi-season powersports lifestyle, not just a summer PWC run.

Sea-Doo Models Suited to the Crossing

Not every PWC is built the same way for an open-water run like this. Here's how a few Sea-Doo options in this category stack up for a Georgian Bay lighthouse trip:

• Sea-Doo Switch (pontoon-style PWC): Ideal if you're bringing passengers or gear for a longer day on the water — more stable platform, more room to anchor and relax near the island.
• Sea-Doo GTI series: A strong all-rounder for recreational riders who want comfort on a longer crossing without sacrificing manoeuvrability.
• Sea-Doo RXT/GTX performance models: Better suited to riders who want more power in hand for chop and wind on an open-bay run.
• Sea-Doo Explorer Pro (fishing-oriented): Worth considering if the lighthouse run is just one stop on a longer day that includes fishing the bay.

Trip Prep: What to Check Before You Go

Order ahead through shop.energypowersports.ca if you want gear in hand before a weekend trip — items can be picked up in Oakville or shipped Canada-wide.

• Early Summer (cooler water, variable wind): A wetsuit or splash jacket, plus a dry bag for phone/camera — this crossing is scenic, and you'll want photos of the tower.
• Mid-Summer (peak boat traffic): A properly fitted PFD for every rider, a sound-signaling device, and a marine-rated navigation light setup if you're timing the return for early evening.
• Fall (colder water, higher chop): Layered thermal wear under your riding gear, and a full check of your bilge/pump system given rougher late-season conditions on open bay water.
• Any Season — Pre-Trip Checklist: Fuel range calculated for a round trip plus reserve, a charged marine VHF or reliable cell coverage plan, and a check of hull/hull-liner condition since this is genuine open-water use, not sheltered-lake riding.

Browse the full gear lineup, from PFDs to dry storage, at shop.energypowersports.ca.

A Quick Word on Trip-Readiness

An open-water run like the Nottawasaga crossing isn't the place to find out your Sea-Doo's fuel system or hull has an issue — it's a couple of kilometres of unsheltered Georgian Bay with no help nearby if something goes wrong. Before a trip like this, it's worth booking a pre-season or pre-trip inspection through Energy Powersports' service department: a quick check of your fuel lines, battery, bilge pump, and hull condition can catch small issues before they become a stranded-on-the-water problem. It's a straightforward appointment that buys real peace of mind for a trip this specific.

Quick Recap: Planning Your Lighthouse Run

• The Nottawasaga Lighthouse (1858) is one of six historic Imperial Towers on Lake Huron/Georgian Bay, reachable only by water
• It sits about two miles off Collingwood Harbour — a short but genuinely open-water PWC crossing
• Sea-Doo Switch and GTI models suit comfort-focused trips; RXT/GTX suit riders wanting more power for chop
• Gear needs shift by season: wetsuits and dry bags in early summer, safety gear in peak season, thermal layers and bilge checks in fall
• A pre-trip inspection at Energy Powersports is worth booking before any open-water run this specific

Gear Up With Energy Powersports

Whether you're outfitting a Sea-Doo for this exact Georgian Bay run or just keeping your PWC or sled trip-ready year-round, Energy Powersports has you covered. Visit us at 879 Cranberry Court, Oakville, ON, or call 905-901-5500 to talk through what fits your trip. Browse accessories and parts anytime at shop.energypowersports.ca, or check full inventory, financing, and book a service appointment at energypowersports.ca.

FAQ: Riding to the Nottawasaga Lighthouse

Can I actually land on Nottawasaga Island? Access rules can vary seasonally due to the island's use as a bird sanctuary. 

How far is the crossing from Collingwood Harbour? The lighthouse sits roughly two miles (about 3 km) northeast of Collingwood, making it a manageable but genuinely open-water PWC trip.

What Sea-Doo model is best for this kind of trip? The Sea-Doo Switch works well if you're bringing passengers and gear, while GTI-series models suit riders who want a comfortable, stable ride for the crossing. RXT/GTX models are a good fit if you want extra power in hand for wind and chop.

Do I need to be an experienced rider to make this trip? This is open-water Georgian Bay, not a sheltered lake, so it's best suited to riders comfortable with wind, chop, and longer-distance navigation rather than first-time PWC owners.

Does Energy Powersports service Sea-Doos before a trip like this? Yes — Energy Powersports' Oakville location offers pre-trip and pre-season inspections covering fuel systems, battery, bilge pump, and hull condition. You can book through energypowersports.ca or by calling 905-901-5500.

Where can I get gear like PFDs, dry bags, or thermal wear for this trip? Everything from safety gear to storage solutions is available at shop.energypowersports.ca, with Canada-wide shipping or pickup at the Oakville dealership.