Great Lakes Collection

Experience the beauty of Killarney and Georgian Bay from the water during a ride in a Special Operations Boat. Board your vessel from the ship’s shell door landing, with assistance by a member of Viking’s Expedition Team. Once securely on board, lines will be untethered, and your thrilling journey will begin. Hold tight for the ride as you whisk across the water, perhaps leaping over the wake of a passing boat. Your highly maneuverable vessel will allow you to reach less accessible locations and navigate the abundance of islets. Along the way, pause to admire the scenery around you as you marvel at windswept pines and granite islets. Knowledgeable specialists will be on hand to explain the natural world that surrounds you and to alert you of wildlife in the area. At the end of your excursion, your Special Operations Boat will return you and your fellow travelers to your ship.

Take to the water and explore your surroundings with a member of your Viking Expedition Team. After a thorough introduction and safety briefing, transfer from your ship to the kayak staging area, where you will receive your paddle and join a fellow traveler in a two-person kayak. Your kayak has been designed to provide a combination of stability and comfort as you paddle your way through the open water. Dressed in a kayak suit (depending on the season) and bespoke life jacket for maximum maneuverability, you will be geared up to remain warm and dry during your expedition experience. Immerse yourself in nature as you journey along the tranquil waterways of this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, reaching less accessible locations along the water’s edge and keeping watch for local wildlife.

Investigate the serene coastline of Killarney and Georgian Bay during an exhilarating Zodiac ride. Board your Viking Zodiac and set off from your Expedition ship with a small group of fellow travelers on to the waters of Georgian Bay. Your Viking specialists will explain the region’s wildlife as they navigate some of the 30,000 islets of these pristine waters. Admire the scenery around you as you marvel at windswept pines and towering bluffs. Keep watch for possible sightings of local wildlife and hear about the ecosystems and conservation efforts of the Great Lakes region. Your Expedition team will answer any questions you may have along the way, as well as share stories and insights. At the end of your excursion, your Zodiac will return to your ship.

Explore the flora and fauna of Georgian Bay during a hike along the scenic Lighthouse Trail. This approximately 3-mile trail provides hikers with panoramic views of the open waters of the bay and its rugged pink granite shoreline. Meet your knowledgeable guide and set off on foot beneath a forest canopy of white birch, red and white pine, and red maple trees. Admire the striking blend of colors and textures of your surroundings that are home to numerous songbirds, such as white-throated sparrow, hermit thrush, the pileated woodpecker and the osprey. Learn about the history of the area as you continue along the rugged coastline to the lighthouse. Here, admire the vistas over the bay, Manitoulin Island and the boat traffic navigating the Killarney Channel. Afterward, you will return along the same path, then transfer to your ship.

Savor a delicious “fish fry” amid the Canadian wilderness at the Killarney Mountain Lodge. Depart your ship and head to the pink granite shores of the Killarney Channel, where your outdoor kitchen awaits at the Killarney Mountain Lodge. Here, you will take a seat and sit back and relax while your chef gets to work. A “fish fry” is a tradition in the Great Lakes region with every city adding their own take. Whitefish is generally the fish of choice in this region, and has been commercially fished from the deep waters of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay for centuries. Enjoy the mouthwatering smells as your lunch is prepared and sip on a chilled beverage. Your Great Lakes delicacy of freshly caught white fish, accompanied by crisp hand-cut fries and homemade slaw, will be served for you to enjoy as you soak up the views. Your appetite sated, return to your awaiting ship.

Discover the beauty of the Canadian wilderness during a walk through the forests of Killarney Provincial Park. Tender from your ship to the Killarney Mountain Lodge, then embark on a short shuttle transfer to Killarney Provincial Park. Covering more than 150,000 acres, the park’s stunning mix of pink granite coastlines, white quartzite mountains, blue lakes and old-growth forest made it a favorite for the Group of Seven landscape painters. Set out with your knowledgeable guide along a mostly level hiking trail that winds its way through the forest. Admire the natural beauty as you go and gain insight into the geological features and forest ecology. At the visitor’s center, enjoy an opportunity to learn more about the park’s history and conservation efforts through interpretive displays. Afterward, board your motor coach and return to the lodge, then tender to your ship.