most businesses are closed

While tourism certainly slows down come the fall there is always still the odd few people who show up having done no research or having not been able to find any information prior to coming to the island and realize when they get here that (almost) nothing is open.

Many businesses have already closed for the season and a good majority of the rest of them will be closing by October 13. Businesses that are already closed for the season include Pelee Island Winery Pavilion, 2 Chicks Creative, Pelee Island Heritage Centre & Museum.

Businesses who are expected to be closed after Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend (Closing October 12/13) include One Of A Kind Pelee, Coneheads Ice Cream, Pelee Island Artworks, Pelee Island Adventures, Pelee Island Butterfly Sanctuary & Teaching Garden, Stonehouse 1891.

Businesses who are still expected to be open in some form for at least a little bit longer include The Westview Tavern (usually closes after the third pheasant hunt, around November 8), The Dog & Goat (open year round - limited hours), The Food Shack (probably closing at the end of the third Pheasant Hunt, around November 8), Pelee Island Co-operative Association (open year round - limited hours), The Shack Shop (VERY limited hours - possibly limited to just a few days during the Pheasant Hunts)

As for us - We have no intention of closing up entirely until the ferry stops for the season, however our hours may start be become a bit sporadic and there may be a few days here and there that we need to close in order for us to make trips to the mainland to stock up on groceries for the winter.

Some businesses may be missing from here, and information may not be 100% accurate but this is the information that we can provide to the best of our knowledge. If you are planning to visit The Pelee Shop or any other businesses on the island this fall we highly recommend that you contact us (or the businesses that you are hoping to visit) at least a few days in advance to check in and ensure that they do plan to be open that day.

The Ferry Leaves From Kingsville

It happens every year where people just type into their GPS/Google Maps/Apple Maps/Waze, or whatever you use and it takes them to the wrong ferry dock. During the fall the ferry is scheduled to leave from Kingsville. With that said the dock location can change due to a few factors, primarily weather related. If the ferry changes docks the staff from the ferry dock should be contacting you to let you know. See below for directions to Kingsville and just in case you need it Leamington as well.

Not So Smooth Sailing

If you're planning to come to Pelee Island the easiest way to get here is by ferry. Often times it is a nice quiet 90 minute ride to the island but the weather come fall can be a bit more unpredictable. If you're not used to being on the water, or you know that motion sickness will get the best of you, definitely don't forget the anti-nauseant medication at home! Even if the weather says it's going to be nice make sure that you bring an emergency backup. And of course if the weather gets bad enough there is always a chance that the ferry will be cancelled (though it is pretty rare), just because it brought you to the island does not guarantee that it will return to the mainland if the weather is bad enough. Reservations can be made online. For more information visit: https://www.ontarioferries.com/pelee-island-ferries/

Bring everything you think you'll need and more

There is no true grocery store on Pelee Island. Double check and triple check to make sure that you have everything that you could possibly need for your trip to the island. The co-op carries basic groceries, hardware, and household items but the options are slim and their hours are limited.

Come with a full tank

If you're bringing your vehicle across on the ferry make sure that you fill up your car before you come! The co-op does have unleaded gasoline and diesel, and Scudder Marina has unleaded gasoline as well. There is no mid-grade or premium gasoline, no propane stations for vehicles (there is propane filling services at the co-op for BBQ tanks), and no charging stations for EV's. Additionally fuel on Pelee Island is typically much more expensive than it is on the mainland.

Transportation is necessary - Like absolutely necessary

Now that the fall has arrived and businesses have started closing THERE IS NO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE ON THE ISLAND!! If you're fine with riding a bike, we have lots available for rent at The Pelee Shop but we do recommend that you give us a call or send us an email a few days in advance so that we can try to ensure that we will be open for you. As we are coming into the end of the season our hours may be a bit more sporadic and there may be days that we are closed to make trips to the mainland to stock up on our winter groceries.

The only businesses that are open after the weekend of October 11 that are within walking distance of the ferry dock on the island is The Westview Tavern and us at The Pelee Shop. Fish Point Nature Reserve is about 4km south of the ferry dock. Lighthouse Point Nature Reserve is about 10km northeast of the ferry dock. And then there are a handful of other walking trails around the island, the closest one to the ferry dock is probably 2-3km away.

Bring Cash

Most, if not all of the businesses on Pelee Island do accept some form of electronic payment whether it be debit, credit, or e-transfers, however technology isn't always the most reliable thing on an island in the middle of a lake so don't rely solely on your cards. There is no ATM on the island so make sure you bring it with you, even just little bit as back up incase machines go down! If you are coming from the United States, most businesses do accept USD with varying exchange rates, but it is definitely best to exchange your money before coming to the island.

Bring Water

Only a small handful of buildings on the west side of Pelee Island are on town water, the rest of the island is on well water or gets their water directly from the lake. Many places do have water that is potable, but not everywhere. If you are renting a cottage it is best to check with the owner before hand to find out what the water quality is like. There is a paid water bottle filling station a few minutes south of the ferry dock, it is the only place on Pelee Island to get bulk water, and it is an unmanned, coin operated system, it does not accept bills or cards. The ferry dock has a single sere water bottle filling station inside of their building. At The Pelee Shop we carry single 500ml bottles of water as well as 11.2 L and 18.9 L jugs of water.

Book accommodations in advance

Absolutely do not come to Pelee Island planning to stay the night without confirming your accommodations before hand. There are limited accommodations on the island and it is not uncommon for all of them to be full on any given night, with it being the fall there is more likely to be vacant places to stay however businesses are not always prepared for walk-ins. Please make sure that you plan ahead so you are not stranded over night with nowhere to stay!

Annual Pelee Island Pheasant Hunts

If you're coming in the fall it is important to keep in mind that there are pheasant hunts that happen primarily the last two weeks of October and the first week of November. There will be lots of hunters, you'll hear gunshots throughout the day. So if that is not your thing plan to come when there is not a hunt taking place. Click the link below for pheasant hunt dates and times.