Deans Den sits among the inner islands of Georgian Bay, roughly 20 km west of Lock 45 at Port Severn. This is Canadian Shield country — granite shoreline, deep clear water, and weather that can turn on you fast. The anchorage offers 15 ft over good holding with solid protection from the west, north, and south. Only the east fetch is open. Cruisers transiting between the Trent-Severn Waterway and the 30,000 Islands will find this a practical overnight stop in settled conditions.
| GPS Coordinates | 44.9930°N, 79.9481°W ⚠ Unverified |
| Water Body | Georgian Bay — Deans Den |
| Region | Severn River |
| Depth Range | 4.6+ m 15+ ft — Waterway Guide |
| Holding Quality | Good |
| Nearest Lock | Lock 45 — Port Severn (~30 km northwest) |
| Overnight | ⚠ Conditional |
Protected from west, north, and south by surrounding islands and shoreline. The east is open — exposed to wind and waves from that direction. In prevailing westerly or southwesterly conditions this anchorage is well sheltered.
| Dinghy Access | ✗ No |
| Shore Access | Rocky granite shoreline typical of the inner islands. No docks or facilities at the anchorage. Shore access by dinghy to rock ledges only — footwear with grip recommended. No trails or services ashore. |
| Pet Friendly | No votes yet |
Nearest provisioning: Port Severn has basic supplies and fuel approximately 20 km east via the marked channel. For full provisioning, Midland or Penetanguishene are the nearest larger towns to the south.
Scenic notes: Classic Georgian Bay landscape — pink and grey granite shores, windswept white pines, deep clear water. The inner islands create a dramatic maze of channels and bays. On a calm evening this is as beautiful as anywhere in Ontario cruising waters.
Deans Den is outside the formal Trent-Severn Waterway lock system but sits in the cruising grounds immediately west of Port Severn, where Lock 45 marks the TSW's western terminus on Georgian Bay. Lock 45 has a 3.7 m (12 ft) lift and is approximately 20 km to the east. The 30,000 Islands region of Georgian Bay is one of Canada's premier cruising destinations — essentially a freshwater ocean with rocky archipelago shoreline stretching north toward Parry Sound and beyond.
| Lock | Name | Direction | Distance | Lift |
| #45 | Port Severn | Downstream | ~30 km | 3.66 m12 ft |
Approach with chart and depth sounder running — the inner islands have scattered rock. With 15 ft on the hook you have comfortable depth for most cruising boats, but confirm your swinging room relative to nearby shoals. The holding is good, typical of the sand and mud pockets between granite formations. Monitor the east — if the wind clocks around or a front pushes through from that quarter, you are exposed. Georgian Bay can build serious chop quickly on an east wind with open fetch.
Georgian Bay weather changes rapidly — monitor forecasts closely. Rocky Canadian Shield shoreline with submerged granite in many areas. Approach requires careful navigation among the islands. East exposure means this anchorage is untenable in strong easterly winds.
Have photos of Deans Den — Georgian Bay?
💌 Email captain@trentsevernguide.comDeans Den — Georgian Bay — Video Guide Coming Soon
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