Wingfield Basin bears the name of Lieutenant David Wingfield RN who first sounded the bay in 1815 with Captain William Owen. He was a member of the Royal Navy's pioneer hydrographic survey of the Georgian Bay coast.
Wingfield described the Basin as circular, ¼ mile in diameter, and three fathoms in depth, and offering perfect shelter to any boat which could pass the shallow bar at the entrance.
This ridge of stones prevented the entry of large vessels until it was dredged in the 1890s. Range markers were then added to lead yachts through the narrow channel. Steam tugs and small schooners, however, found it to their liking and recreational boaters have always sought the Basin’s refuge in ruff weather. Windfield Basin is today a tranquil calm harbour where at Cabot Head Light House offers some services including ice.
When the weather threatens, the inlet is filled with pleasure boats lying peacefully at anchor.
Wingfield Basin also offers a wide variety of activities for the active nature lover: