Road Trip Pelee Island – Ferry from Leamington, Canada's Southernmost
Leamington
Pelee Island
35
km
2h
drive
Spring
season
The Itinerary
Pelee Island, 24 km south of Leamington in Lake Erie, is Canada's southernmost inhabited place — at the same latitude as Rome and Northern California. Reach it in 1h30 by the Pelee Islander II or Jiimaan ferry from Leamington (Kingsville port in winter).
The 42 km² island has 250 permanent residents, multiplied 10× in summer. Pelee Island Winery — Ontario's pioneer since 1979 — makes wines from Canada's warmest climate. The Pelee Island Bird Observatory logs 380 species (May's spring migration is spectacular). Lighthouse Point Provincial Nature Reserve and Fish Point Provincial Nature Reserve protect rare reptiles (eastern foxsnake, snapping turtle).
Pelee Island's southern tip marks 41°41'N — the 49th parallel feels far away. Pelee Island is also known for harmless snakes (Lake Erie Watersnake), deserted beaches (Sheridan, Sunset Beach) and a timeless feel. No bridges, no traffic lights, no chain hotels.
The 42 km² island has 250 permanent residents, multiplied 10× in summer. Pelee Island Winery — Ontario's pioneer since 1979 — makes wines from Canada's warmest climate. The Pelee Island Bird Observatory logs 380 species (May's spring migration is spectacular). Lighthouse Point Provincial Nature Reserve and Fish Point Provincial Nature Reserve protect rare reptiles (eastern foxsnake, snapping turtle).
Pelee Island's southern tip marks 41°41'N — the 49th parallel feels far away. Pelee Island is also known for harmless snakes (Lake Erie Watersnake), deserted beaches (Sheridan, Sunset Beach) and a timeless feel. No bridges, no traffic lights, no chain hotels.
Points of Interest
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✦
Pelee Island WineryOntario's pioneer winery since 1979, Canada's warmest climate.
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Fish Point Nature ReserveCanada's southernmost inhabited point, 41°41'N.
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Pelee Island Bird Observatory380 species, world-renowned spring migration.
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Pelee Islander II Ferry1h30 car ferry, Leamington-Pelee.
Fishing Spots Along the Route
Protected areas along the route
🌿
FISH POINT PROVINCIAL PARK (NATURE RESERVE CLASS)
Provincial Park
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EAST SISTER ISLAND PROVINCIAL PARK (NATURE RESERVE CLASS)
Provincial Park
🌿
LIGHTHOUSE POINT PROVINCIAL PARK (NATURE RESERVE CLASS)
Provincial Park
🌿
CEDAR CREEK PROVINCIAL PARK (NATURE RESERVE CLASS)
Provincial Park
🌿
WHEATLEY PROVINCIAL PARK (RECREATIONAL CLASS)
Provincial Park
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OJIBWAY PRAIRIE PROVINCIAL PARK (NATURE RESERVE CLASS)
Provincial Park
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RONDEAU PROVINCIAL PARK (NATURAL ENVIRONMENT CLASS)
Provincial Park
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RONDEAU PROVINCIAL PARK WILDERNESS AREA
Wilderness Area
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BICKFORD OAK WOODS CONSERVATION RESERVE
Conservation Reserve
Take this route offline
Cell coverage thins out fast once you leave Leamington. Export the map as a geo-referenced PDF before you go and open it in BorealMaps — your GPS position shows on the map with no signal at all.
Try PDF Export How geo-referenced PDF maps workPractical info
- Departure Leamington
- Destination Pelee Island
- Distance 35 km
- Duration 2h
- Category Short (< 100 km)
- Best season Spring
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