Dear Guests
Please excuse our mess...we are currently
undergoing renovations.
We will be adding an additional
20 rooms and Event Space that can accommodate up to 150 people and
we anticipate to be completed by Spring 2026.
The
Matheson rooms face the construction site and may be noisy at times
during the day, but we will do our best to help make your stay
enjoyable and comfortable.
We are pretty excited about
our renovation project and realize what an inconvenience it can be,
but we feel the end result will all be worth it.
During
construction elevator use will be limited to hours of operation -
Check with front desk associates for operational hours.
Thank you for your understanding and patience as we
undergo these growling pains.
Sincerely
The
Princess Team
Tobermory with Kids: The Complete Family Vacation Guide
Tobermory is one of the genuinely great family destinations in Ontario. There is no theme park here, no manufactured entertainment — just crystal-clear water, ancient cedar forests, shipwrecks you can see from a glass-bottomed boat, and a small harbour village that feels like a different world from the city.
Families have been coming to Tobermory Princess Hotel for decades. Here is our honest guide to making it work brilliantly with children.
Best family activities in Tobermory by age
For younger children (under 8)
• Glass-bottom boat tour: seeing the shipwrecks from inside the boat is magical for young children — no swimming or hiking required
• Singing Sands Beach: shallow, warm, sandy — one of the safest swimming beaches in the area
• Little Tub Harbour boardwalk: watch the boats come and go, feed the ducks, explore the village
• Bruce Peninsula National Park Visitor Centre: great free exhibits and a 20-metre lookout tower with panoramic views
For older children and tweens (8–14)
• Hike to The Grotto and Indian Head Cove — moderately challenging, genuinely spectacular, deeply memorable
• Flowerpot Island boat tour with shore time: hike to the sea stacks and caves
• Little Cove Adventures: high and low ropes course in the forest — great for active kids
• Snorkelling in Big Tub Harbour over the shallow shipwrecks
• Kayak rental from the harbour
Practical family tips for Tobermory
Book permits and tours in advance
The Grotto requires a timed-entry parking reservation in summer. Flowerpot Island boat tours can sell out on weekends. Book both before you leave home
Best swimming spots
• Singing Sands Beach (Lake Huron side): warm, sandy, shallow — 15 minutes from Tobermory
• Dunks Bay (Georgian Bay side): clear water, rocky shoreline, good for slightly older swimmers
• The Grotto: cold and deep — older, confident swimmers only
Packing list for families
• Solid walking shoes or hiking sandals for every member of the family
• Swimwear and towels — you will want to swim somewhere every day
• Sun protection — the UV reflection off Georgian Bay is intense in summer
• Insect repellent for trail walks
• Water bottles — no water sources on the Grotto trail
Staying at Princess Hotel with a family
• Kids 12 and under stay free when sharing a room with parents
• Family Suites and connecting room option available: one room with a queen bed connects to another with a queen and double — perfect for families of 4 or 5
• Harpur Drive Cottage: 3-bedroom cottage that sleeps 6, short stroll from town
• Breakfast discount for all registered hotel guests
• Pharos Restaurant open for family breakfast — blueberry pancakes are a firm favourite with younger guests
Kids 12 and under stay free.
Book a family room, connecting rooms, or our 3-bedroom cottage direct at tobermoryprincesshotel.com.
Call 519-596-8282 for family bookings.
Let’s Plan Your Stay
We’d love to host your group. Reach out to start planning your
Tobermory getaway or add a memorable stay to your itinerary.
Contact
us today to check availability, rates, and customized group
packages.
[email protected]
