One of the first things people ask when planning a trip to Manitoulin Island is, “Where to stay on Manitoulin?”
When it comes to where to stay on Manitoulin, there are many options. Accommodations range in price depending on your fancy. You can go for a rustic experience and sleep in a tipi or a bunky, or go camping or bring your RV. You can rent a cottage by the water. You can stay at a quaint B & B, or enjoy the comforts and amenities of a motel.


When choosing your accommodations, you will also want to take location into consideration. If you want to be close to shops, groceries, restaurants, gas stations, and banks, you might want to try somewhere central or in one of the bigger townships. If you want to explore and love driving around, and aren’t concerned with proximity to shops and restaurants, then perhaps somewhere quiet for your home base away from home would be ideal.
Where to Stay on Manitoulin
A few years ago, I created a list of Things To Do & Places To Stay on Manitoulin Island, but there are quite a few new businesses to add. I wrote that post in 2013, and in the few years that have passed, new businesses have come up, other businesses have been sold, and some have been closed down all together. Yes, even islanders living on a beautiful island need to retire.
Be mindful that wherever you stay, you will need to drive around to see the sights and to enjoy events and activities.
Image via Google
The island has an area of 2,766 km2 (1,068 sq mi), making it the largest freshwater island in the world, the 174th largest island in the world and Canada’s 31st largest island. (Wikipedia)
If you’re taking the ferry, you will first go through South Baymouth. Here is a list of places to stay. Refer to the map above to see where each location is. Many visitors say they like staying close to the ferry terminal the night before they catch the ferry to leave the island so that they don’t miss the boat. The other point of entrance/exit is via the Swing Bridge in Little Current.
Here’s a list of accommodations by township/location that I have compiled.
South Baymouth
- Bears Inn (Cottages)
- Big Buck Cottages
- Black Rock Resort
- Buckhorn Motel
- Huron Motor Lodge
- Southbay Gallery & Guesthouse
- South Bay Resort
- The Wigwam Motel
Tehkummah
Sandfield
Manitowaning
- Bass Creek Resort
- Manitoulin Resort
- My Friends Inn
- Red Lodge Resort
- Wayside Motel
- Willow Shores Bed & Breakfast
Wikwemikong
Little Current
- Anchor Inn
- Batman’s Cottages & Campground (Sheguiandah)
- Hawberry Motel
- Manitoulin Hotel & Conference Centre
- Silver Birches Resort
- Sunset Motel & Cottages
Kagawong
- Fred’s Camp
- Hayden Holiday Haven Cottage Rental
- Hideaway Lodge
- Lakeview Resort
- Summerbloom Cottage
- Sunset Bay Resort
- Viva Villa Cottages
Gore Bay
- Evergreen Resort
- The Inn at Gore Bay
- Martha’s Inn (B & B)
- The Queen’s Inn
- The Stonehouse Bed & Breakfast
- Lake Wolsey Cottage
Meldrum Bay
Spring Bay
- Dawson Resort
- Perivale Gallery (The House at Perivale)
- Quintina’s Guest House
- Santa Maria Resort (Trailer & Camping)
Providence Bay
- Auberge Inn (Hostel)
- Black’s Bay
- Cedarwood Lodge
- Huron Sands Motel
- The Mutchmor Lofts
- On the Bay Bed & Breakfast
- Providence Bay Cottage Rental
- Providence Bay Tent & Trailer Park
- Red Rooster Inn
- Sullivan’s Cottages
- Woodside Beach Cottages
Mindemoya
- Cosy Cove Cottages
- Green Bay Lodge
- Manitoulin Inn
- Maple Grove Cottages
- Mindemoya Court Cottages & Campground
- Mountain View Resort
- Rockgarden Terrace Resort
- Timberlane Rustic Cottages
One of the most exciting parts of planning your vacation is researching places to stay. With many places to choose from, we’re sure you’ll find the perfect place for you and your family.
Where to stay on Manitoulin? Tell us your favourite place to stay and why you love it!
Greetings Christine. I enjoy all the information you provide on this site. We have an AirBnB in Gore Bay and wondered if you could add us to your list of places to stay on the island. We’re listed as “Bungalow On The Bay”
Thank you.
Travelling there next week and staying at My Friends Inn. Fabulous accommodations on the Island.
Do you have any suggestions on good eateries?
Thanks, I love your blog.
Hi Beverly! You’re going to love staying at My Friends Inn! The rooms are nice and comfortable, and the owners are lovely! Great location too.
As for good eateries, if you want to grab something for breakfast, there’s Loco Beanz (not too far from where you are staying. You can even walk there). I also like The Trough in Little Current. Also in Little Current you can dine at Elliott’s or the Anchor Inn. The Garden’s Gate Restaurant in Tehkummah and The School House in Providence Bay are my favourites too. If you want fish and chip, Lake Huron Fish & Chips Co. in Providence Bay is good!
Thank you for this! My family is visiting the island in August as our big family vacation for the summer. This is handy.
Thanks for commenting, Tammy! Hope your family has a wonderful time on the island!