Toronto 
Find the quiet life this summer in Ontario. Many of Ontario’s islands make for a great summer vacation or day trip, but Amherst Island is especially great for a specific type of summer day trip or getaway. Amherst Island, on the north side of Lake Ontario, is a place for relaxation, nature appreciation, and quiet time on the beach.
Scenic Drive/Credit: To Do Canada
Amherst Island is accessible by ferry from Millhaven in Loyalist (part of Lennox and Addington County); the ride is a scenic cruise across the North Channel, which brings you into the Amherst Island community of Stella. Once here, get ready to embark on scenic country drives, bike rides, or walks, to any of the Stella attractions. And beyond the ferry dock are waterfront accommodations, local arts and culture, beautiful beaches, and an abundance of wildlife- especially birds!
Access and how to get there:
Amherst Island Ferry departs from the Millhaven Wharf (5604 Bath Road, Millhaven), open daily and year-round. The ferry service is quite busy during summer.
If you are travelling from the GTA, take the Loyalist Parkway (Highway 33) for a truly scenic trip.
Scenic Drive Around the Island
The best way to see the Island once you get down from the ferry is to do a drive around the Island following the shores of Lake Ontario. You can see sheep, deer (on occasion), giant windmills, and various birds. Stop at parks and farms as you reach them on your drive.
The Best Trails on Amherst Island
Bring your bike on the ferry! If you’re on Amherst Island for a day trip, then exploring by bike is a much faster and easier way to see everything, and to ensure you do see everything. This is also helpful for any overnight visitors.
- The Owl Woods Trail is a great walk.
- Topsy Farms has a 2 km trail to the western shoreline of the island (donation appreciated).
- Lower 40 Foot Road, Sylvester-Gallagher Nature Reserve and Martin Edwards Reserve Bird Sanctuary are great for birdwatching.
- Contact Amherst Island Bicycle Rentals if you don’t have a bike, as Amherst is great to explore with a bike. Amherst Island offers many quiet roads and trails for cyclists to explore.
- It takes about an hour to bike the entire length of the Island with a few route options from which to choose.
- Any of these quiet roads are also great for exploring on foot, with several sections following the shoreline or waterfront areas of Amherst Island.
Lake on the Mountain Provincial Park & Glenora Ferry Lookout: Mysterious Lake and Scenic View of Bay of Quinte
Beach & Water Fun
Every side of Amherst Island’s shores offers somewhere to relax by the water.
- The Island’s Sand Beach Conservation Area (a pebbled beach) offers everything you need for a relaxing day at the beach. Sand Beach Park has amenities like parking.
- Enjoy more water and sand/pebbles at Back Beach Park, a quiet and smaller beach. There are no amenities here, but plenty of space for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing in the shade of the trees. There is also a smaller parking area right at the end of the road leading into the park.
- Stella Bay Park is the closest waterfront park to the ferry dock. Stella Bay Park also has a public boat dock for canoe and kayak launching. If staying near Stella, the Neilson Store and Museum are likely to be on the way during your walk or bike ride to the park. Across the road is Centennial Park, which has a playground and more picnic areas.
Historical & Cultural Attractions
The Waterside Summer Series is a great way to enjoy the local musicians and artists, while other opportunities are also available around the island for soaking in local arts, culture, and history.
- Neilson Store Museum & Cultural Centre near Stella Bay Park offers a small display of artifacts and collectibles.
- Enjoy a mix of local nature, art, and culture with a visit to the Rossland Gardens, open for boutique shopping and as an art gallery.
- Amherst Island boasts the largest concentration of historic Irish dry stone walls in Canada, introduced by Irish migrants from Ards Peninsula. You can take a self-guided tour following the map. The island features both historic and newly built traditional walls.
Waterside Summer Series on Amherst Island
During your summer stay or day trip, there is an option to plan around the Amherst Island Waterside Summer Series. These outdoor concerts take place at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church on weekend evenings during July and August.
Where to Dine on Amherst Island
Currently, the Back Kitchen is the only open restaurant on Amherst Island. Enjoy their mains and sides before exploring the rest of the island.
- A small restaurant and grocery store are also located in Millhaven near the ferry dock.
- For more dining and grocery options, visit the town of Bath, south of the ferry dock.
Accommodations on Amherst Island
Escape in many ways on Amherst Island. Retreat on your own, as a couple, group, or family, to the main Island Lodge or private rentals near Stella. Artists of all kinds commonly use Amherst Island as a retreat; the quiet, natural areas and sense of artistic community on the Island all help to add to its draw and charm for writers, musicians, painters, sculptors, etc.
- The Lodge on Amherst Island is a quaint and relaxing space for an island getaway and is especially great for an artist’s retreat.
- There are also a handful of private Airbnb rentals from which to choose, many of which are in the Stella community and near the ferry dock.
The Owl Woods are not at Topsy Farms – in fact the Owl Woods are at the other end of the island. The Waterside Summer series are Not Free.
If you bicycle, please be respectful of vehicles and farm machinery on the roads. Island time revolves around the ferry schedule.