From historical sites to shops, nature walks, and night life, Pelee Island provides visitors with a myriad of opportunities. Whether taking a bike ride, going for a swim, browsing through the local shops or indulging in the food and drink that the Island has to offer, Pelee Island can satisfy your desire for calm and quiet or for new sights and sounds. Come and experience all that the Island has to offer!
Some establishments and activities on Pelee Island are seasonal. To avoid disappointment, please contact establishments that you would like to visit before May or after October. You may also call the Township of Pelee Municipal Office at 519-724-2931. It is important to us that you have a wonderful visit to Pelee Island.
Erected with stones from a local limestone quarry, this church was originally built by a Methodist congregation. Located on North Shore Road at Victoria Road, Calvary Anglican Church was dedicated in 1898.
St. Mary’s Church
This is the oldest church on the island, with the first baptism recorded in 1863. Today the parish is part of the Anglican church of Canada, it is located on East West Road beside the Summer Theatre and not far from Our Lady Star of the Sea Church.
Our Lady Star of the Sea Church
Originally built for a congregation of 13 families in 1887, materials for its construction had to be transported from Windsor, Ontario. It is located on East West Road east of Stewart Road.
For schedule of Mass times, please visit our website.
Contact Information:
Phone: (519) 733-6591
Website: esscatholic.ca
Anglican Church Services:
June-September: 1st & 3rd Sunday at St. Mary’s 10:00 a.m.
July-August: Every Sunday at St. Mary’s at 10:00 a.m.
October-May: 1st & 3rd Sunday at The Calvary Anglican Church at 10a.m
Please call (519) 724-2022 for questions.
Lighthouse Point:
Go north on East Shore Road, pass by Lake Henry, which was formed when the barrier beach berm was breached the winter of 1972-73 and flooded the once drained land farmed by Henry Nageleisen. It is now a provincial Nature Reserve and home to a large population of the American Lotus and a diversity of water birds. There is a parking lot near the end of the road and bike parking at the end. The trail begins at the end of the road; walk along the trail and boardwalk with water on either side. Watch for turtles basking on the logs. Fox snakes can sometimes be seen here also. The trail continues on the east sandy beach (nice for a swim break!) and you will soon see the 1833 stone lighthouse (first lit in 1834), restored by a grant obtained by the Heritage Centre in 2000. It no longer functions as a navigational light; that function has been taken over by a new light that can be seen out in the Pelee Passage to the northeast. This section of trail, with its tall cottonwoods, is often a good place to spot spring migratory songbirds, before they head north to Point Pelee.
Stone Road and Brown’s Road Alvars:
This is a provincially significant habitat with some of the highest diversity of species-at-risk to be found anywhere in Ontario! It is home to a high diversity of wildflowers, it is an excellent place to see butterflies, birds, and with a keen eye, you might see the endangered Blue Racer or Grey Fox, both species have their Canadian distribution limited to Pelee Island! While this isan amazingly fascinating place to visit, it can be unpleasant if not prepared. It is also home to chiggers, especially abundant during the hot dry days of mid-summer. Wear long pants and tuck them into your socks, or better, rubber boots. Insect repellant or sulphur powder, applied around your ankles, are good additional deterrents.
Island Eco-Trail, Middle Point:
Near the east end of Harris-Garno Road is the Florian Diamante Nature Reserve and the beginning of the Eco-Trail that is suitable for cycling or walking. It goes south through fields and along hedgerows as well as woodlands, some of which are alvar (thin soil over limestone) habitats with a diversity of wildflowers, butterflies, birds, and rare island snakes. From this trail the new Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) wetland complex can be seen. This 25 ha. wetland was created by breaking artificial drainage tiles, excavating low-lying areas, and building a 1.5 km berm around the outside. This site was once part of a large interior marsh on Pelee Island that was drained in the late 1800s. NCC restored this habitat in 2020-21 and it is now bustling with wildlife. Follow the trail around the edge of the wetland to the wildlife viewing blind, or drive to the parking area off Henderson Rd.
Fish Point:
This provincial Nature Reserve is a sand spit, similar in formation to Point Pelee, and another great place to see songbirds during migration, both in the. interior woodlands and along the edges. There is a trail that goes to the tip. Along the way there is a viewing platform in Fox Pond to the east.
The forest of this part of the trail is dominated by Common Hackberry, along with a few other tree species including Black Oak, Sugar Maple and the endangered Red Mulberry. During the spring there is a great show of Trilliums and other woodland wildflowers here.
Just past Fox Pond there is a trail to the west that goes to the west beach; the trail straight south may be difficult to get through due to the common occurrence of wind thrown trees; the point is a very dynamic habitat!
At the beach one can go further south to the tip. Along the way there is a diversity of beach plants specific to this habitat, such as Clammyweed, Trailing Wild Bean and Sand Dropseed. Along the edge of the woodland one can see Hop Trees, host plant for the Giant Swallowtail, very thorny Honey Locusts, and Red Cedar, as well as its relative, the shrubby Common Juniper. This is where Redbud (Cercis canadensis) was recorded in 1892 by the Dominion Botanist (John Macoun), the only place in Canada where it ever occurred naturally. There are no longer any naturally occurring Redbuds, but it is widely planted around the island.
Winery & Ivey
Just east of the winery on East-West Road one comes to trails on either side of the road. To the south the winery has established a trail system through their alvar woodland. To the north, NCC has a trail system going through their adjacent land, The Richard and Beryl Ivey Nature Reserve, also mostly an open alvar woodland with more dense forest to the north, and then opening into old fields that are being restored to native meadow and ponds. This is prime habitat for the endangered Smallmouth Salamander; Pelee Island is the only place it occurs naturally in Canada!
Information courtesy of peleebuzz.ca
For a detailed map of the trails around the island please click on the thumbnail below:
Geocaching is a great way to get outdoors and explore all that nature has to offer on the Island. For all those outdoor enthusiasts, nature lovers & treasure hunters, this is a great way to get the family together or go on a solo tracking mission.
Below are some tips on how to geocache and where to find information on cache locations.
*Geocaching Apps are also available on Iphones and Android Phones to help you along the way!
Have fun and happy hunting!
YouTube
*Geocache Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YTqitVK-Ts
Tracking Caches:
The Pelee Island Waterfront Trail is a 28km circular route, following close to the Lake Erie shoreline all around the island. The route travels quiet country roads, through small hamlets, farmland, vineyards and natural areas, and has equal sections that are paved and unpaved. The Waterfront Trail also connects to the islands’ Ecological Trail System, providing access to beaches, forests, sand dunes, marshes and alvars found nowhere else in Canada.
Pelee Island is located 32 kilometres south of the Ontario mainland and is part of an archipelago of islands in the western Lake Erie basin. This location of Canada’s southernmost inhabited land area (Middle Island is the southernmost) creates an environment of unique plants and animals and is on major migratory bird and butterfly routes.
The Fish Point Nature Reserve and the Lighthouse Point Nature Reserve provides habitat for rare species including the Blue Racer Snake, Lake Erie Water Snake, Smallmouth Salamander and Spotted Turtle. In addition, 31 provincially rare and 19 regionally rare plant species are located in the reserves. Another unique feature is the Stone Road Alvar, a globally significant area, where rare plant and animal life only occurs here and nowhere else in the world. The physical presence of limestone combined with a southerly climate has created a unique Canadian Savannah environment.
In addition to the natural heritage features, there are significant cultural heritage features including the Pelee Island Heritage Centre, the Pelee Island Lighthouse, Pelee Island Art Works, the Pelee Island Winery and local limestone architecture.
The Pelee Island Waterfront Trail is open all year. The most interesting times to enjoy the trails will be during the spring and fall bird and butterfly migrations. Visitors should be cautioned, there is an annual fall pheasant hunt on the Island occurring in part of October and November.
MAIN ACCESS POINTS:
Ferry service to Pelee Island is from Kingsville and Leamington Ontario (approximately 1 ½ hours), and from Sandusky Ohio (approximately 1 ¾ hours). For schedules contact Pelee Island Transportation Company (1-800-661-2220) or check the website at www.ontarioferries.com and click MV Jiiaman.
Scudder Marina
N 41 49.00 W 82 39.40
Monitors VHF 68
Telephone: 519-724-2377
Email: Scudder@pelee.ca
Located in the North Bay of Pelee Island, Scudder Marina offers all the essentials and more for day or overnight stays. Safe, sandy beaches, great fishing and diving are all in the area or just enjoy the solitude and amazing sunsets.
- can accommodate up to 65 ft. vessel
- 7-9 ft. depth at most docks
- docks have 30 amp & 50 amp service and water
- restrooms and showers open for public use during office hours and code locked after hours for marina guests only
- picnic tables, BBQ’s and open air gazebo in large shaded yard
- gas dock
- pets are welcome
- ice, beverages, t-shirts, and bait available
- Fishing and hunting licenses are available online. Click icon
- Accept Visa, MasterCard, and Debit
Reservations are not a must but are recommended for weekends.
Open Daily through the summer season.
For our American guests, you will need a valid passport. Upon arrival in Canada, the master of the boat must report to the CBSA by calling 1-888-226-7277. The master of the boat will provide details of the voyage, the passengers and their declaration.
As proof of presentation, masters will be provided with a report number for their records.
| Pelee Island Heritage Centre |
|---|
| The Pelee Island Heritage Centre aspires to research, collect and preserve the evidence of the Island’s (and neighbours’) human history, to protect the community’s natural heritage, and to educate the public about our combined heritage through exhibits, publications, special presentations and our extended stay education program. It is understood, moreover, that the Heritage Centre, through the benefit of hindsight, should play a role in informing current community planning issues. |
| Address: 1073 West Shore Rd |
| Phone: 519-724-2291 |
| Email: peleeislandhc@gmail.com |
| Website: www.peleeislandmuseum.ca |
| Hours of Operation: 10am – 4 pm Daily |
| Season: May 1 – October 7 |
