One of Canada’s greatest tourism treasures is probably just days away from being active again.
The R.M.S. (Royal Mail Ship) Segwun, the oldest operating steamship in North America, has been treated to a $3 million renovation and should be sailing the waters of magical Muskoka in the next couple weeks.
The ship, built in 1887 and then named “Nipissing,” is a long-time symbol of Muskoka and provides fabulous trips on Lake Muskoka, as well as occasional visits to Lake Rosseau and Lake Joseph.
A massive fundraising campaign by the Muskoka Steamships and Discovery Centre (full disclosure: I’m a member of the board of directors) and generous donations from the public, as well as from the federal government and the province of Ontario made it possible to give the Segwun a top-to-bottom workover.
Donors were recognized at a special ceremony on the dock in Gravenhurst, Ontario on Saturday, August. 29. Among those present was the Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and major donor Bruce Mitchell, who was named Honorary Captain.
L TO R: The Wanda II, The RMS Segwun, and the Wenonah II. All three ships are run by the Muskoka Steamships Discovery Centre. JIM BYERS PHOTO
Seventy six donors gave $5,000 or more for Phase 2 of Segwun’s restoration, and the results are wonderful. I had a tour of the ship on Saturday and she looks beautiful, with lots of freshly polished wood and many other new features you might not notice.
The RMS Segwun was recently named “Ship of the Year” for 2026 by the Steamship Historical Society of America.
“The Segwun doesn’t belong to the MSDC, it belongs to the people,” board member Rick McGraw, who has helped lead the search for donations, said at the ceremony. McGraw thanked the individual donors for their generosity, as well as offering huge thanks to the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation.
If you’ve been before, you need to go again to see how she looks. If you’ve never been on the Segwun (or her sister ships, the Wanda III or Wenonah II, you definitely need to book a trip so you can see Muskoka from the deck of a beautiful ship. Sailing past beautiful islands on a majestic, blue lake in Muskoka is one of the best things you can do in Canada.
The RMS Segwun docked in Gravenhurst, Ontario. JIM BYERS PHOTO
In addition to running the ships, the MSDC oversees the Discovery Centre in Gravenhurst, just a short walk from the Segwun/Wenonah/Wanda dock. The centre recently unveiled its new “Love Muskoka, Sustain Muskoka”
exhibit, which is a wonderful way to learn about this important region of Ontario. The centre also is home to Misko-Aki: A Confluence of Cultures, an exhibit that honours the indigenous peoples who have lived in the area for centuries. The exhibit has received an award for Outstanding Achievement in Exhibitions from the Canadian Museums Association.
The Discovery Centre is a fabulous way to learn about the importance of Muskoka to the local watershed and to learn about the people of the area.
ONE MORE DAY FOR AIR CANADA’S SEAT SALE
The Canadian flag at Moraine Lake in Banff National Park, Alberta. Expedia Photo
Air Canada has a seat sale going through September 3, 2026. You can save on great flights within Canada, and also to Europe, Mexico, the U.S., South America and the Asia Pacific region (excluding India).
Travel must take place between Sept. 8, 2026 and April 24, 2027.
Some conditions apply.
