Honey Harbour, located on the eastern shore of Georgian Bay in Ontario, It is 13 km NW of Port Severn, and 11 km W of Highway 400 between Barrie and Parry Sound.
The name “Honey Harbour” is derived from the honeybee population that thrived in the area’s wildflowers.
Honey Harbour is popular with tourists who enjoy its tranquil waters, outdoor recreation, and cottage lifestyle. The community maintains its connection to the past through heritage sites, historical markers, and local events that celebrate its cultural and natural history.
Honey Harbour History
The lands around Honey Harbour were inhabited primarily the Anishinaabe (Ojibwa) and Huron-Wendat nations. These indigenous communities lived off the area’s fish, game, and plants, for both sustenance and trade.
European explorers, fur traders, and missionaries arrived in the late 1600s. Honey Harbour’s location on the eastern shore of Georgian Bay made it a natural stopping point for fur trade canoes and European vessels. The French and British vied for control of the fur trade, fighting several conflicts, which ended with the fall of Quebec City.
As European settlers moved into the area in the 1800s, Honey Harbour became a hub for logging, fishing, and shipping. The heavily forested landscapes provided timber for construction and shipbuilding. The waters of Georgian Bay supported fishing and transportation.
The arrival of the steamship era further increased Honey Harbour’s importance as a transportation hub. By the late 19th century, Honey Harbour was a bustling waterfront community, hosting commercial activities, a school, churches, and a post office.
In the early 1900s, Honey Harbour began to attract vacationers from urban centers. The area’s natural beauty, clear waters, and access to Georgian Bay’s scenic islands made it an ideal destination for recreational boating, fishing, and camping. Many cottages and resorts sprang up along the shores.
In 1929, the eastern part of Beausoleil Island, situated across from Honey Harbour, was designated as a national park, later becoming part of Georgian Bay Islands National Park. The park preserves the natural and cultural heritage of the region, providing visitors with opportunities for outdoor activities and exploration.