New 'The Scugog Island Experience' Invites Visitors to Discover, Shop, Stay, and Win
New passport experience connects nine Island businesses through a self-guided map and gives visitors a chance to win great prizes.
PORT PERRY, Ontario — July 29, 2026 — A new passport experience is inviting visitors to discover Scugog Island, meet the Islanders behind its local businesses and experience the Island’s culture, history, natural beauty and hospitality.
Located just minutes from downtown Port Perry, Scugog Island is reached by a short drive across a stunning causeway with no ferry required. The Scugog Island Experience brings together nine tourism businesses offering live theatre, heritage, boating, specialty food, shopping and unique places to stay.
“Scugog Island has its own stories, character and strong sense of community,” said Chuck Thibeault, Executive Director of Central Counties Tourism. “This experience gives visitors a fun reason to meet the Islanders, explore businesses they may not have known about and discover what makes the Island such a special destination.”
Visit Three Stops for a Chance to Win
Visitors can pick up The Scugog Island Experience passport at any participating location.
To enter the draw for a chance to win:
- Visit any three participating locations and collect a stamp at each stop.
- Scan the QR code on the passport,
- Complete the online entry form.
- Upload a photo of the passport showing stamps from three different locations.
Prizes include an overnight getaway, a day boating on Lake Scugog, theatre tickets and gift certificates for unique local finds. No purchase is necessary. The contest is open to Ontario residents aged 19 and older. Full contest details, rules and regulations are available at TheScugogIslandExperience.ca.
Featured Island Stops
- Theatre on the Ridge - Professional live theatre featuring Canadian and Ontario playwrights and artists under its signature tent.
- Scugog Shores Museum Village and Archives - Eleven heritage buildings from the 1800s and Ojibway Heritage Interpretive Lands share the Island’s history and stories.
- Scugog Island Marina - Boat rentals and services for fishing, relaxing and enjoying time with family and friends on Lake Scugog.
- Marcelle’s Kitchen - A local bakery specializing in delicious gluten-free products.
- Redman’s Antique Barn - A wide selection of antiques, with each piece offering a connection to the past.
- Adawegamig - A carefully curated collection of vintage clothing, antiques and one-of-a-kind finds.
- Minisi Convenience & Gift - A welcoming destination offering authentic Indigenous art, jewellery, gifts and everyday essentials.
- Birchwood Luxury Camping - Luxury geodesic domes nestled in the forest for a peaceful Island getaway.
- Great Blue Heron Casino & Hotel - Hotel accommodations, dining and entertainment, providing a convenient base for exploring the Island.
Growing Tourism Through Collaboration
The Scugog Island Experience was created through a collaboration among nine Island tourism businesses, the Township of Scugog and Durham Region Tourism. Each partner invested in the initiative, and Central Counties Tourism matched their combined contribution through its Partnership Program — an annual matching-funds initiative designed to strengthen tourism capacity and grow the visitor economy across York, Durham and Headwaters.
By presenting Scugog Island as one connected destination, the partnership aims to build awareness, encourage visitors to explore multiple locations, extend their stays and increase tourism’s economic impact across the Island.
To plan a visit, discover more about the Island or enter the contest, visit TheScugogIslandExperience.ca
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About the Central Counties Tourism Partnership Program
The Partnership Program is an annual matching-funds program that provides financial support to tourism businesses, organizations, and event organizers in York, Durham, and Headwaters to strengthen the regional visitor economy and increase economic impact from visitors traveling 40+ kilometres to the region.
About Central Counties Tourism
Central Counties Tourism (CCT) was established as a regional tourism organization in 2010 under the framework developed by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Its mandate is to help stakeholders build their capacity which, in turn, grows visitation and vibrant communities throughout the York, Durham, and Headwaters regions. CCT is funded by the Ontario Government and managed as a not-for-profit organization by a voluntary tourism industry board. CCT’s mission is to develop, support and promote tourism within the region.
Media Contact
Chuck Thibeault
Executive Director
Central Counties Tourism
cthibeault@centralcounties.ca/media@centralcounties.ca