If you’re looking for a stunning kayak camping trip in Ontario, the Fox Islands in Georgian Bay are a top choice. Located just south of Killarney Provincial Park along Philip Edward Island, these rugged, windswept islands offer pink granite shorelines, sculpted rock formations, and remote backcountry campsites.

In this guide, I’ll share tips from my own 4-day solo trip, including routes, gear, and safety advice.

Planning your Fox Islands camping trip

To start planning, pick up a copy of Paddling and Hiking the Georgian Bay Coast by Kas Stone. It has a helpful chapter on Philip Edward Island and The Foxes, with suggested routes and highlights.

For maps, I recommend:

• Jeff’s Killarney Map (free hi-res PDF or printed waterproof version) – detailed campsites and paddling routes
• Friends of Killarney Park Map – good backup, available at Mountain Equipment Company or the George Lake park office Killarney Provincial Park

Both maps are helpful for planning your route and tracking progress on the water.

Canoe and kayak rentals

If you don’t own a canoe or kayak, you’ll want to contact Killarney Outfitters and make a reservation a few weeks before your departure. Sea kayak rentals start at $74/day and can be delivered to the Chikanishing Access Point for a fee. A paddle, portable flotation device (PFD), spray skirt, whistle, sponge, and pump are included with your rental.

Park permits and access

You don’t need a camping permit for The Foxes — they’re Crown land and free for Canadian residents. But you will need a daily vehicle permit to park at Chikanishing Access Point. Buy it at the George Lake park office inside Killarney Provincial Park.

Killarney Outfitters, Chikanishing Access Point and George Lake Park Office.

Trip duration

How much time will it take? I found that four days is ideal. If you’re travelling from Toronto, it will take you 4.5 hours with light traffic. Leave early on a Monday morning to avoid rush hour, cottage country traffic, and boat launch congestion. The boat launch tends to be less crowded during the week as well.

• Distance to West Fox Island: 7.6 km
• Paddle time: approx. 2 hours (weather and skill dependent)

What to pack

You’ll be amazed at how much gear you can pack into a 17-foot expedition sea kayak. Here’s what I brought on my solo trip:

• Tent, sleeping bag, air mattress
• Food, water, stove, cookware
• Hiking shoes, clothes, MEC Senate Seat
• Camera bag + tripod in Watershed Yukon Dry Duffle
• Dry bags for anything I couldn’t risk getting wet
• SeaLine Map Case with map + phone/GPS
• Carabiner clips to secure dry bags to kayak

Pack light, but prepare for rain, wind, and cool nights.

A fully charged smartphone with offline maps is useful, but it should never replace a traditional map. A waterproof map doesn’t rely on batteries and works in all conditions. I keep both my map and iPhone inside a waterproof SeaLine Map Case, clipped to the top of my kayak for easy access while paddling.

Weather and safety tips

The weather on Georgian Bay can change very quickly and catch you by surprise. Watch for large waves in open water and keep an eye on the weather.

During my first trip to The Foxes, I paddled from Sly Fox Island to Centre Fox Island to take some photos. Within an hour, a heavy fog rolled in and reduced my visibility to 100 metres. I couldn’t see the island where my campsite was (1 km away) and panicked. Foolishly, I wandered off into the fog but found my way back.

In 2012, I pitched my tent on the picturesque west side of Sly Fox Island without checking the weather forecast. Big mistake.

Just after midnight, 50 km/hour winds woke me up as they pounded the side of my tent. I spent the next 6 hours trying to keep my tent from blowing into Georgian Bay. I thought I was going to die.

If I had checked the weather forecast, I would have known that a wind advisory was in effect for the area. By daybreak, I managed to move my tent to a cove on the eastern side of the island, but it was destroyed. Check the weather conditions before you head out.

It’s smart to pack an extra couple of days’ worth of food. If bad weather delays your departure, you’ll be able to wait it out safely without rushing.

Sly Fox Island highlights

Sly Fox (also called Unnamed Fox Island) is one of the most photogenic islands I’ve visited. The granite formations and ochre lichen are visually striking, especially at golden hour.

From the west side of the island, you’ll get sunset views over Killarney and the La Cloche mountains. It’s often completely deserted, which adds to the magic of this place.

Don’t miss this

No trip to the Killarney area is complete without a visit to Herbert Fisheries for fish and chips. After a long paddle back from The Foxes, lunch on the picnic tables is a great way to finish your trip.

Want more?

Browse my Georgian Bay photo gallery to see images from this trip. Or order a fine art print to bring the Fox Islands into your home.