Royal Island Beach, Hiking, & Fishing Resort Adventures
Immediately across the channel from the Delawana is our 25 acre Royal Island which offers a hiking tral system and several private beach areas. Our naturalists conduct several guided family hikes throughout each week in the summer.
As you approach Royal Island, just imagine the first Native or European explorers seeking refuge from a storm. Reminisce about the smell of baked cakes coming from the Royal Honey Harbour Island Hotel, or the clamour at the dock at 3 p.m. as the mail boat arrived. Almost four centuries have passed since Samuel de Champlain visited Royal Island and the modern era of Canadian .history began.
The timber rights to Royal Island, known to the lumbermen as Island 12, were designated by the Georgian Bay Lumbering Company. The Island has been logged three times since Champlain's first visit. The third cut on Royal Island was used for the wooden mine sweepersth at were built in Honey Harbour and used during the Second World War.
The legendary Glass Beach is named for the glass and trash dumped over the years. Although the area has been cleared of most of the debris, hikers should use caution and keep their eyes open, as an antique bottle may resurface.
Many guests canoe or kayak over to the island at leisure and enjoy hiking the many trails. Its not unusual to see a father and son sharing a special moment fishing off the dock on Royal Island. Pontoon boats also shuttle our guests back and forth continuously throughout the day.
The Delawana would like to thank The Honey Harbour Hoots, Nick Markos & Richard L. (Ric) Grisé for allowing us to post this wonderful article about the Royal Hotel.
The Royal Hotel (PDF)
Samuel de Champlain in Huronia
