Cruising speed ahead: cruise vessel offering North Channel vistas.

• Author: Kelly, Lindsay
• Position: CONFERENCE & CONVENTION

For decades, sailors plying the North Channel have returned with tales of its beauty, but unless you were a sailor or could cajole a friend with a boat into taking you on a tour, those isolated pockets of pristine wilderness remained out of reach for the average visitor.

Now, North Channel Cruise Line is offering tours to some of the area's most renowned hot spots aboard its 75-foot trima-ran-style boat, Le Grand Heron.

Based in Little Current on Manitoulin Island, North Channel Cruise Line is helmed by Chris Blodgett, whose family has owned and operated Discovery Yacht Charters for decades. Since taking over the business in 2007, Blodgett said he's seen a marked demand by tourists for more large-scale attractions like the Cup and Saucer hiking trail, or Bridal Veil Falls in Kagawong.

"I thought it would be great to offer our waterways up for people to explore; they haven't otherwise had the opportunity," he said. "They come here and they see Manitoulin Island, which is beautiful, but they never get the opportunity to see what lays beyond it in the North Channel, and that's what so many of our boaters are coming here for."

Operating from July to October, North Channel Cruise Line offers regularly scheduled trips to the Benjamin Islands, Baie Fine, and Killarney, among others. Trips vary in length, from a few hours to a full day, and though the boat can accommodate up to 100 people, cruises are usually limited to no more than 50 to ensure everyone gets a comfortable seat on board.

The boat is licensed to serve alcohol, and food is provided. Fruit, vegetable, cheese and sandwich platters are provided on all excursions; for longer-duration trips, a cold buffet table is available, as well as an afternoon barbecue.

"We try to keep a good variety on there for people who have dietary restrictions," Blodgett said. "If they do and they are unable to eat anything we're providing, people are more than welcome to bring their own food aboard."

The Heron is also available for private functions, including weddings, receptions and corporate meetings. On those occasions, people renting the vessel can arrange to have it privately catered. Blodgett has been working closely with the Anchor Inn, a popular Little Current eatery, to provide hot meal service for private events.

He's also open to collaborating with other tourism outfitters in the future. Last year, he partnered with the Great Spirit Circle Trail (GSCT), a M'Chigeeng-based Aboriginal tour operator...