Cove Island Light

Cove Island Light is a limestone lighthouse on Cove Island in Georgian Bay, with a white tower rising about 24 meters above Gig Point. The red lantern at the top guides vessels through the bay, and the structure displays the typical architecture of lighthouses from this region.

The lighthouse began operating in 1858 and was one of six towers built to improve safety across the Great Lakes region. Its construction was part of a broader plan to modernize the maritime navigation system in the area.

The lighthouse stands as a familiar landmark that reflects the area's deep connection to maritime life and water-based traditions. Visitors notice how the white tower with its red lantern becomes a focal point in conversations about local history and navigation heritage.

The island is not accessible to visitors, but the lighthouse can be seen from ferries or private boats departing from Tobermory. The best views come from boat tours that explore the bay or from distant vantage points along the shore.

A keeper lived and worked on the lighthouse for more than a century, until it became fully automated in 1991. This extended period of manual operation set it apart from other lighthouses in the region.