Fathom Five National Marine Park is a Parks Canada marine park at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula, in the traditional territory of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation. Parks Canada describes clear blue water, rugged shoreline, the Flowerpot Island rock formations and scuba diving on 24 shipwrecks. This guide covers how to reach Flowerpot Island, the island trails and camping, diver registration and the fees on Parks Canada’s page.
Facts box
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Visitor Centre | 120 Chi sin tib dek Road, Tobermory, ON N0H 2R0 |
| Phone | 519-596-2364; toll-free 1-888-773-8888 |
| Visitor Centre hours | November 1 2026 to April 30 2027: daily, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm |
| Park violations and public safety | 1-877-852-3100 |
| Flowerpot Island | 6.5 km from Tobermory harbour; reached by boat only |
| Free admission | Youth 17 and under |
Quick answer
You cannot walk or drive to Flowerpot Island. Book a trip with one of the private tour boat operators from Tobermory; Parks Canada says two operators run return trips from mid May to mid October, weather permitting. Admission fees are included in the cruise operator’s rates, and the fee includes entry to the Visitor Centre on the same day.
Flowerpot Island
Parks Canada describes the island as known for its flowerpot rock pillars, caves, rare plants and a historic lightstation run by the Friends of Bruce District Parks. Parks Canada says most visitors spend a half or full day there. The trails are:
- Flowerpot trail: 1.3 km, about 30 minutes, easy, with two sets of stairs. Reaching the flowerpot itself is a scramble across natural rocky shoreline.
- Lightstation lookout trail: 250 m one way, moderate, a narrow catwalk with steep sections and stairs.
- Mountain trail: 1.4 km one way, about 40 minutes, difficult.
The Marl Bed trail is permanently closed. There are no garbage facilities, so take everything with you. No tap water is available. Pets must stay on a leash, drones may not take off or land in the park, and you should stay on the trails.
Camping
Flowerpot Island offers the only camping in the park: six tent campsites near Beachy Cove, each with a wooden tent platform, and a free-standing tent is required. Before you go, check in at the Parks Canada Visitor Centre in Tobermory to get your camping and day-use permits. There is one composting toilet. Parks Canada tells campers to pack extra provisions for at least two days, because bad weather can strand people on the island. Private motorized vessels dock at the camper dock and must be no more than 24 feet. Potable water is not provided, so filter or boil bay water or carry it in. Campfires are not permitted; only gas stoves with a shut-off valve may be used. Alcohol and cannabis are allowed only on your tent pad, not between 10 pm and 7 am, and not at all on long and holiday weekends. Check-out is 11 am, and campers returning by tour boat are expected on the first boat of the day.
Diving
All divers must register and buy a dive pass before diving, at the Visitor Centre or at the dive shop in downtown Tobermory. No registration is needed to snorkel. Parks Canada’s dive page describes clear water, submerged cliffs, caves and overhangs and more than 20 historical shipwrecks. The Arabia wreck is recommended only for advanced diving groups, and it warns of strong currents.
Fees
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Daily admission, adult | $10.00 |
| Daily admission, senior | $8.75 |
| Daily admission, family or group (up to seven people in one vehicle) | $19.50 |
| Annual admission, adult | $48.25 |
| Backcountry camping on Flowerpot Island, per person per night | $15.00 |
| Diver registration, daily | $6.25 |
| Diver registration, annual | $24.00 |
| Mooring, per foot, season | $12.25 |
| Reservation by phone / online | $13.50 / $11.50 |
The page also lists the Parks Canada Discovery Pass at $83.50 for an adult. Admission is included in the tour boat operators’ rates for Flowerpot Island visitors.
FAQ
How do I get to Flowerpot Island?
By private tour boat from Tobermory, your own boat or kayak (experienced paddlers only). Checked November 4 2026.
Do I need a permit to dive?
Yes. Register and buy a dive pass first. Checked November 4 2026.
Is there drinking water on the island?
No tap water is available. Checked November 4 2026.
Cottages on the water
Browse cottages on the Bruce Peninsula and Lake Huron. See also Things to do in Tobermory and The Grotto.
Township Rules Check
Thinking of renting out a cottage here? Run the Township Rules Check for the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula (Tobermory). The Municipality requires a licence to rent a dwelling for fewer than 30 days (By-law 2025-34). Municipal accommodation tax is 4% on stays under 30 days. Rules change; confirm with the municipality before you list.
Claims table
| # | Claim | Source URL | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saugeen Ojibway Nation territory; sparkling blue water, rugged shoreline, Flowerpot Island rock formations; 24 shipwrecks; Visitor Centre 120 Chi sin tib dek Road, Tobermory N0H 2R0; 519-596-2364; 1-888-773-8888; 1-877-852-3100; hours November 1 2026 to April 30 2027 daily 9 am to 5 pm | https://parks.canada.ca/amnc-nmca/on/fathomfive | 2026-11-04 |
| 2 | Flowerpot Island 6.5 km from Tobermory harbour; boat only; two private operators mid May to mid October; fee included in cruise rate and includes Visitor Centre entry same day; trails (Flowerpot 1.3 km easy, Lightstation lookout 250 m moderate, Mountain 1.4 km difficult); Marl Bed trail closed; no garbage facilities; no tap water; pets on leash; no drones | https://parks.canada.ca/amnc-nmca/on/fathomfive/activ/flowerpot | 2026-11-04 |
| 3 | Six tent platforms near Beachy Cove; free-standing tent; check in at Visitor Centre; one composting toilet; provisions for two days; camper dock, vessels no more than 24 ft; check-out 11 am, first boat back; kayaks experienced paddlers only; potable water not provided; no campfires, gas stoves only; alcohol and cannabis on tent pad only, not 10 pm to 7 am or on long weekends | https://parks.canada.ca/amnc-nmca/on/fathomfive/activ/camping | 2026-11-04 |
| 4 | Divers must register and buy a dive pass at Visitor Centre or downtown dive shop; no registration to snorkel; more than 20 shipwrecks; Arabia only for advanced groups with strong currents | https://parks.canada.ca/amnc-nmca/on/fathomfive/activ/plong-dive | 2026-11-04 |
| 5 | Fees: daily adult $10.00, senior $8.75, family $19.50; annual adult $48.25; Flowerpot backcountry $15.00; diver daily $6.25, annual $24.00; mooring season $12.25; reservation $11.50 online, $13.50 phone; Discovery Pass adult $83.50; youth free | https://parks.canada.ca/amnc-nmca/on/fathomfive/visit/tarifs-fees | 2026-11-04 |
| 6 | Northern Bruce Peninsula: licence required to rent a dwelling under 30 days, By-law 2025-34 | https://www.northbrucepeninsula.ca/media/1uabhapg/by-law-2025-34-short-term-accommodation-by-law.pdf | 2026-11-04 |
| 7 | Municipal accommodation tax 4% on stays under 30 days (By-law 2021-83) | https://www.northbrucepeninsula.ca/media/xchb0423/by-law-2021-83-municipal-accommodation-tax-mat.pdf | 2026-11-04 |
Photo: Previn Samuel, on Unsplash (Unsplash License).