The Island Princess sailed away from the Port of Orillia for what is likely the final time this morning.
The iconic boat that began offering tours and cruises at Orillia's waterfront in 1984 was recently sold to a Barrie company. The new owners spent the last couple of weeks making the boat seaworthy; it sailed away just after 5 a.m. on Wednesday.
The vessel was purchased by Georgian Shores Boat Tours in 2020. The company turned it into a waterfront restaurant and bar called the Island Princess Tiki Barge.
Georgian Shores Boat Tours co-owner Wade Plewes previously told OrilliaMatters that construction on Centennial Drive, vandalism, and the COVID-19 pandemic combined to torpedo the future of the once iconic vessel in Orillia.
"We had hoped the Island Princess would return to a touring model," explained Orillia & District Chamber of Commerce (ODCC) president Scott Walker in a written statement. "The new owners have plans for the Island Princess in Barrie."
While the Island Princess has been recognized as a staple of the Sunshine City for parts of five decades, Walker says it's the third tour boat in Orillia's history and hopes a fourth could be on the horizon.
"We are actively searching for a new vessel that can take locals and tourists out for tours of the area," he said. "There is a very high demand for on-water tours of our area."
ODCC executive director and harbour master for the Port of Orillia, Allan Lafontaine, says the No. 1 thing visitors ask him is how they can go out for a tour on the water.
"I've already been talking to other companies," he said. "One seems to be interested, but we don't yet have an official announcement."
Lafontaine says a tour boat could take over for the Island Princess as soon as next year.
"People would love a way to get out on the water," he said. "Not everybody can afford a boat and this is a way for people to enjoy a few hours of entertainment."
Lafontaine isn't ruling out the possibility of the Island Princess one day returning to Orillia.
"It won't be far away," he said. "I don't know what the new owner’s plans are, but who knows, maybe one day it returns."
If any tour boat operators are interested in offering services in Orillia, they are asked to contact the Orillia & District Chamber of Commerce at 705-326-4424 or 888-326-4424. They can also be reached by email at [email protected].
